Engine noise
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 892
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Try higher octane gas first. There is a great product here called Sentry. It is a fuel additive mostly used in the boating world. It takes the water out of the gas, plus boosts octane, cleans fuel injectors, and lubricates the top end. My locat $tealer sells it. My bike runs great with it.
I had your same problem. I new it wasn't pinging, as I am mapped quite rich, and the timing is right on. I changed the stock compensator sprocket to the Screaming Eagle upgrade. It cost about $250. Of course, I did it myself. Not sure what a shop would charge... The stock compensator bounces back and forth under hard accelartion causing the exact noise you describe. When all else fails, bite the bullet and get the heavy duty compensator that should have come from the factory! I'm glad I did. (or put louder pipes on-that cures all extraneous noise!)
I had your same problem. I new it wasn't pinging, as I am mapped quite rich, and the timing is right on. I changed the stock compensator sprocket to the Screaming Eagle upgrade. It cost about $250. Of course, I did it myself. Not sure what a shop would charge... The stock compensator bounces back and forth under hard accelartion causing the exact noise you describe. When all else fails, bite the bullet and get the heavy duty compensator that should have come from the factory! I'm glad I did. (or put louder pipes on-that cures all extraneous noise!)
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
I have 44,000 on my Standard and it has made the clicking sound for years. Mostly it happens within the first few miles of a ride and right before I shift to the next gear. I fixed mine with louder pipes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 5
grf4000 .... The kind of fuel i put in which is either Shell or BP is their quality stuff so they would have you believe who know's ? ....... anyway it works out to near as damn it Ł4.99 an imperial gallon and the cheaper supermarket stuff is about Ł4.48 an imperial gallon ..... Bottom line it's like everything here in this green and pleasant land called England we get screwed with everything we buy ....... definately dont live here by choice and to old to come over the pond .... that's where i should have been hatched
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Pinging is not just a noise. It can be doing permanent harm to your motor by ignoring it. At the least, you should upgrade your fuel.
If yours happens to be compensator noise, disregard my comment above. LOL
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,327
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
Hey Reddog8145,
My 2009 fatboy with 2200 miles sings the same song .like two coins being tapped together. Ive only noticed it in the last few weeks. I switched to Amsoil at 1600 miles, but Id be surprised if that has much to do with it.
From what I can tell it happens after the motor has warmed up and generally right after I up shift and accelerate. I ride my bike in the torque curve and the tapping seems to happen in the low to mid range. Cruising/steady throttle, or decelerating, I hear nothing but the symphony of the big v-twin. This bugs me quite a bit too, I'll need to figure this one out....
My 2009 fatboy with 2200 miles sings the same song .like two coins being tapped together. Ive only noticed it in the last few weeks. I switched to Amsoil at 1600 miles, but Id be surprised if that has much to do with it.
From what I can tell it happens after the motor has warmed up and generally right after I up shift and accelerate. I ride my bike in the torque curve and the tapping seems to happen in the low to mid range. Cruising/steady throttle, or decelerating, I hear nothing but the symphony of the big v-twin. This bugs me quite a bit too, I'll need to figure this one out....
Why did you change the font so that a magnifying glass is needed to read your post???
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 640
Likes: 44
From: Mancheser UK
I spoke to the dealer again yesterday and threw the poor fuel issue into the discussion & suggested putting a higher octain fuel in . He told me that the new motors are designed to run on standard fuel with an octain of 92. Most fuel comes in at a rate of 95, but there are a number of companies that have been doing all sorts to the mix. He told me the name of a number of companies with dubious fuel, one of which happens to be one I use. I'm going to switch fuel stations and see if the continued lack of rattle continues. The dealer runs a trick Fat Bob and told me he found BP ultima to be a good product, its the same price as normal fuel and gives extra milage. I've heard this before but always been sceptical. Think I'l give this a try to and see if this makes any difference, I'l keep you posted.
Reddog GB
Reddog GB
Last edited by reddog8145; Sep 15, 2010 at 03:22 AM.
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