Noisy Top end?
Noisy Top end?
It got in the 50's yesterday so I installed my windshield. Man the rocker clatter from this motor sounds like junk. Is this normal, and if so will roller rockers fix? Couldn't wait to take off the WS so I couldn't hear it, was affecting the way I shift and felt like everybody else could hear it. Motor has 7500 miles and amsoil 20/50. I knew it sounded this way in the past but never ride with the windshield. Just a Full Face. Any thoughts?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Roller rockers won't help; actually they are noiser than stock. What has been done to the motor? If stock, you could just have a sloppy valve train that makes noise. At only 7500 miles, lifters should still be good.
Try to isolate the noise with a $10 automotive stethoscope. If it is the valve train, you might be able to quiet it down by replacing the stock pushrods with adjustables and setting more preload on the lifters. Some motors are just noisy but "they don't all do that"; some are quiet.
Try to isolate the noise with a $10 automotive stethoscope. If it is the valve train, you might be able to quiet it down by replacing the stock pushrods with adjustables and setting more preload on the lifters. Some motors are just noisy but "they don't all do that"; some are quiet.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
+1 on the adjustable push rods. As mentioned, some have more valve train clatter than others. It leads me to believe that some don't have enough preload on the lifters with the stock push rods. With adjustable push rods, you set the preload exactly where it's supposed to be.
Adjustable (2 piece) push rods are also known as 'easy remove' push rods. When changing lifters and/or pulling the cams, you don't have to get into the rocker boxes if you have adjustable push rods.
Adjustable (2 piece) push rods are also known as 'easy remove' push rods. When changing lifters and/or pulling the cams, you don't have to get into the rocker boxes if you have adjustable push rods.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Cottage Grove, MN
I came here because my 08 Road Glide has a noisy top end as well, but I do have roller rockers which is where I figured the problem is. I had it looked at again last year while getting a new SE clutch and the dealer said clearances were fine. I just turn the radio up.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: Bama
I asked about this at my dealer too when I gopt my bike. Its my first HD and I wasn't sure what was going on especially since I had a stage 3 installed. It doesn't bother me much now.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 507
Likes: 4
From: Wentzville, Missouri
I think everyone when they get their first Harley hears "the noise" and thinks WTF is that? I did...
The pipes are now loud enough that even with a shield on, I can't really hear "the noise".
The pipes are now loud enough that even with a shield on, I can't really hear "the noise".
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,509
Likes: 437
From: South Florida
Sounds like rocks in a washing machine? Yep, that's a harley. Shorter, faster pulls sometimes helps. In other words, give it more throttle, but don't wind it out.
Other than that, it's normal.
Other than that, it's normal.
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