What's This Sound?
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Toledo, OH
What's This Sound?
Have an 02 Fatboy. Bought used and runs great. Carbed, hi-flow AC, Stage one. There's a sound that comes from the engine and bounces off the windshield (windshields really capture these engine sounds and feed them back to the rider, I know) that's somewhat annoying. It's most noticeable in idle and first and second gear speeds. At higher speeds I expect that the wind noise drowns out this engine noise. I have the Harley Sotgun slip-ons which are fairly quiet(street legal) so I don't have loud pipes that would drowned out this sound I' talking about. Now how to describe it? 1) A loud air intake type of sound. 2) A "shushing" - the sound you make when you want one of your kids to be quiet, as in "SHUSH" with your index finger by your lips. Feeling pretty stupid here trying to describe this sound, but that's the best way I can describe it. The sound of course pulses with the engine. Is it a cam chain, an air intake? Perplexed. Thanks for any input.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Gold Coast, Australia.
RE: What's This Sound?
ORIGINAL: ajay450
Have an 02 Fatboy. Bought used and runs great. Carbed, hi-flow AC, Stage one. There's a sound that comes from the engine and bounces off the windshield (windshields really capture these engine sounds and feed them back to the rider, I know) that's somewhat annoying. It's most noticeable in idle and first and second gear speeds. At higher speeds I expect that the wind noise drowns out this engine noise. I have the Harley Sotgun slip-ons which are fairly quiet(street legal) so I don't have loud pipes that would drowned out this sound I' talking about. Now how to describe it? 1) A loud air intake type of sound. 2) A "shushing" - the sound you make when you want one of your kids to be quiet, as in "SHUSH" with your index finger by your lips. Feeling pretty stupid here trying to describe this sound, but that's the best way I can describe it. The sound of course pulses with the engine. Is it a cam chain, an air intake? Perplexed. Thanks for any input.
Have an 02 Fatboy. Bought used and runs great. Carbed, hi-flow AC, Stage one. There's a sound that comes from the engine and bounces off the windshield (windshields really capture these engine sounds and feed them back to the rider, I know) that's somewhat annoying. It's most noticeable in idle and first and second gear speeds. At higher speeds I expect that the wind noise drowns out this engine noise. I have the Harley Sotgun slip-ons which are fairly quiet(street legal) so I don't have loud pipes that would drowned out this sound I' talking about. Now how to describe it? 1) A loud air intake type of sound. 2) A "shushing" - the sound you make when you want one of your kids to be quiet, as in "SHUSH" with your index finger by your lips. Feeling pretty stupid here trying to describe this sound, but that's the best way I can describe it. The sound of course pulses with the engine. Is it a cam chain, an air intake? Perplexed. Thanks for any input.
I bought my 01 Softail Standard with 8,500 ks on it and it was doing it then. I asked a my mechanic about the noise and he said some are worse then others. When I bought my 03 Heritage with 1,500ks on it you can just hear the chain when it is cold.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Toledo, OH
RE: What's This Sound?
Thanks for the insight. Mine is pretty much the same level of sound all the time. Kind of on the noisy side. As long as there is no harm to the engine I'm not much concerned about. Just somewhat of an annoyance. Haven't had much warm weather up here yet. The ambiant temperature may have some effect. My gut feel is you are right about it coming from the counterbalance mechanism. When the warm weather comes I can take the windshield off and that will probably eliminate 90% of the noise. When I demoed the bike I rode it without a windshield and I didn't notice the sound much at all. I wonder if there is an adjustment that can be made to that chain?
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Tourer
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From: Toledo, OH
RE: What's This Sound?
I wouldn't describe it as a tick, like a car that's low on oil where you can hear a definite tapping from the engine. It's more of a continuous sound flow, as I described, not a discrete tick. Yes, loud pipes would cure it no doubt.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Gold Coast, Australia.
RE: What's This Sound?
ORIGINAL: ajay450
I wonder if there is an adjustment that can be made to that chain?
I wonder if there is an adjustment that can be made to that chain?
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Southern Oregon
RE: What's This Sound?
I have a '05 FXST and just put on the SEII mufflers. I didn't have it remapped since the consensus on this forum seems to think you don't need too. When I took it out on the road, I got the sound (I think) you're describing. I also thought it was a chain type of sound but still very hard to descripe. Sounded kinda like when a shock compresses or air being pumped around somewhere. Most noticeable on deceleration but I can hear it at idle also. Seems to be irregular. Anyway, (since I don't believe in conincidence), went back and put the stock mufflers back on. The sound was gone! I'm getting it remapped tomorrow(if it doesn't rain) and talking to the dealer about this but still it's kind of strange. I'll post if I find out anything.
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Tourer
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From: Toledo, OH
RE: What's This Sound?
Took the windshield off and rode a few miles just to hear what effect the windshield had on this sound. BIG difference. Like a totally different bike. Couldn't hear the sound I'm talking about at all. Windshields are a PITA in my book. Spoil the looks and gives too much engine noise feeback to the rider. But, Can't live with them, can't live without them. Maybe it's time for just a small winshield just to keep the wind off the chest. Any thoughts on this approach? I have the quick release, standard height HD windshield and it's pretty big. Find that i'm looking through the glass, not over it. I think I will either cut i down or buy the replacement glass in the short version and use the hardware I have. Is it difficult to change the harware to a new glass? Wouldn't think so. Anyone done this? Also gave a close listen to the engine at idle speed and now am thinking the sound is coming from the counterbalance mechanism that's down low in the engine.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: STOCKTON CA
RE: What's This Sound?
I noticed the same sound when I installed a smaller Windvest windshield on my 00FB. I doubt a smaller WS will make the sound lessen. My solution: wear ear plugs when wearing a shorty helmet.
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