I have a 1996 HD Softail Custom with 88,000 mile and all of a sudden I am getting a top end noise. Sounds like a sewing machine. It is happening in both cylinders. Bike runs great, no smoke or oil burning problems. I have 22 psi oil pressure at 2000 rpm. I am looking for suggestions. Jack

 

My Evo Softail sounded like that from day one to the day it was wrecked 25 years later. You might try posting your question in the Evo forum. There’s a lot of expertise over there.

 

get a screwdriver or stethoscope and try to isolate the noise

 

Sounds like end play is out of wack in your cam cavity.

 

It could be many things....

The fact that it started suddenly suggests something has worn past spec or may be failing....

When I hear of sudden valve train noise, my first thoughts are a failing lifter... at 88K miles, that is certainly a possibility...

If it were me, I would try to locate the source of the noise as suggested by eighteight.

But with my OCD, I know I would be opening the cam chest to check on lifters, and would go through the rocker boxes so I could measure the rocker arm end play and the rocker arm shaft fit in the rocker bases...

You may find it is just needing new lifters and/or even a set of Rockout Rocker lockers (https://www.rockout.biz) due to loose, but within spec, rocker arm shaft fit...

Good luck with your diagnosis...