New Fatboy-noises

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Jul 13, 2005 | 03:50 PM

Baggy

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From: Moving Target

New Fatboy-noises

Have a new 05 Fatboy with 700 miles on it. I have noticed a noise that sounds like piston slap in the engine. I also hear a clanking noise when I shift. Are these noises normal or are they something to be concerned about.

Jul 13, 2005 | 04:14 PM

HDF Tech

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RE: New Fatboy-noises

All harleys with few exceptions clank or clunk when you shift unless you get the right timing with the trans/clutch.The motors are noisy to say the least because you're sitting right on top of it with all the pushrods/lifters and pistons closeby.

Jul 13, 2005 | 04:33 PM

chunks

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From: Pennsylvania

RE: New Fatboy-noises

Hey Baggy,

My new 05 Fat Boy is in for its 1k service as we speak and I asked
then to take it up the road for a blast just so they could assure me that
all the clicking and clanking and whirring and humming that I hear is
all normal.

I'm sure it is. This is my first Harley so all the sounds gotta get me worried that
something is wrong with it

Jul 14, 2005 | 02:00 AM

Davo99

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RE: New Fatboy-noises

I bought my '04 Fat Boy on July 1st last year and have just over 8000 miles on her now. If I didn't have to spend so much time working, I've have a lot more on it! As others said, the clunking when shifting is normal. Practice some more with your shifting though and you'll notice you can make a smoother shift and quieter shift. It's funny about the engine noise though, some days when I ride my engine sounds a bit noisy to me while other days it sounds fine. I think you're probably fine, just the nature of the beast.

Enjoy yourself, I've had a blast on mine since day one. It's my first bike in close to 20 years (rode a lot back in my 20s) and I still can't believe I waited so long to buy it.

Dave

[IMG]local://upfiles/2639/4271C8ED2D784EEFAA6F902C678A11AE.jpg[/IMG]

Jul 14, 2005 | 11:15 AM

Baggy

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From: Moving Target

RE: New Fatboy-noises

Thanks for the replies. I thought the noises might be a normal deal but needed reassured. My thinking is a lot like yours Davo, why did I wait so long to get the bike. I wander what all they do on the first service Chunks. When I picked up my bike they told me that the first service would take 4 hours to complete. They must take a pretty close look at it.

Jul 14, 2005 | 01:19 PM

chunks

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From: Pennsylvania

RE: New Fatboy-noises

Got mine back from the 1k service and
the guys said that its running perfectly normal.

All the noises I'm hearing are completely normal

Now I can relax

Jul 22, 2005 | 02:45 PM

Babs

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From: NC

RE: New Fatboy-noises

I too was concerned about noises on my 04 fatboy..
I think these twin cams (especially the carb versions) are even a little more noisier than the old Evo's.
I had an old rebuilt evo with 40k miles on it and my new TC 88 is louder...
I attribute the noise to the cam setup which I'm hearing is a big can-o-worms of a subject with lawsuits and all kinds of other stuff on the earlier TC 88's.
I know of folks swapping out the chain setup to an aftermarket S&S or the like gear setup, changing the cam etc.

I'm not going that route just yet with a fairly new bike and am not so sure I'll ever do that.
My suggestion is keep 'er oil changed religiously.
I actually went to the Syn3 (mixed opinions on it I bet) but I really thought it quieted the motor down a good bit.
Runs like a 700 lb sewing machine!