Valve train noises?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
Valve train noises?
How noisy is a TC88's valve train normally? I've been hearing a noise over the past couple rides and I wasn't sure if it's something new or I'm just being paranoid. At first I thought it was detonation as I was pretty sure I was already suffering from a minor bit of that when in the very low RPMs and hammering on the throttle. It sounds like the engine pops when the bike is cooling down after being off, just two or three of them before the RPMs start to climb and it smooths out. I normally don't ride in RPMs that low, so it hasn't been a concern.
Lately (at least I think it's just been lately) I've been getting simlar noises that are noticeable over the normal valve chatter right around 3,000 RPMs. It sounds exactly the same everytime I'm in that range and it's only under about 30% throttle. I don't really notice it while at 75%-100% throttle in that range and it has that same popping sound as a cooling engine.
The bike has a canned tune for the SE 205(IIRC) cam and 95" upgrade. It also has the SE'ish stage 1 on it.
Any ideas? Ride it 'til it asplodes? I haven't touched it since the Indy put it together and I uploaded the tune. I'm 99% sure I didn't screw up and put the low octane in it like I did the one time a long long time ago.
Lately (at least I think it's just been lately) I've been getting simlar noises that are noticeable over the normal valve chatter right around 3,000 RPMs. It sounds exactly the same everytime I'm in that range and it's only under about 30% throttle. I don't really notice it while at 75%-100% throttle in that range and it has that same popping sound as a cooling engine.
The bike has a canned tune for the SE 205(IIRC) cam and 95" upgrade. It also has the SE'ish stage 1 on it.
Any ideas? Ride it 'til it asplodes? I haven't touched it since the Indy put it together and I uploaded the tune. I'm 99% sure I didn't screw up and put the low octane in it like I did the one time a long long time ago.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas
Ive owned several TC88’s and ALL had extremely noisy valve trains, like yourself I always wondered was this normal. After talking with several HD mechanics its the norm and nothing to be concerned about as its the design ( tons of spring seat pressure) and much of the noise is due to how the rocker boxes breath and deal with oil mist...yeah oil mist. Not to cause anymore anxiety but the TC88’s are better known for cam chain noise just prior to failure, If you plan on keeping your 88 by all means convert to a modernized cam drive setup. Other then that its a very good engine, good luck.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 20
From: Shamokin, PA
The popping after shut down is normal. Not sure if its heat dissipating or what but my cousins triumph does it too.
Usually you'll know if something is ****ed in your powertrain. Because it will be pretty loud.
Usually you'll know if something is ****ed in your powertrain. Because it will be pretty loud.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
And /facepalm. Low oil. Dead battery was causing my odometer to reset so it looks like I'm close to due for an oil change. My TC likes to eat the oil, but when it gets lower, I remember the valve noise in the higher RPMs becoming more distinct. I'll put a quart in until I get my oil changed in the next few weeks.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
How noisy is a TC88's valve train normally?
(Never heard all that many complain about it)
I've been hearing a noise over the past couple rides and I wasn't sure if it's something new or I'm just being paranoid.
(So, How long have you owned the bike..??)
At first I thought it was detonation as I was pretty sure I was already suffering from a minor bit of that when in the very low RPMs and hammering on the throttle.
(That not the best way to accelerate,, dropping a gear or two would be better)
It sounds like the engine pops when the bike is cooling down after being off, just two or three of them before the RPMs start to climb and it smooths out. I normally don't ride in RPMs that low, so it hasn't been a concern.
That does sound like/could be Pinging
Lately (at least I think it's just been lately) I've been getting simlar noises that are noticeable over the normal valve chatter right around 3,000 RPMs. It sounds exactly the same everytime I'm in that range and it's only under about 30% throttle. I don't really notice it while at 75%-100% throttle in that range and it has that same popping sound as a cooling engine.
(How many miles on you bike/motor.. Maybe time to check the C-Ters.)
The bike has a canned tune for the SE 205(IIRC) cam and 95" upgrade. It also has the SE'ish stage 1 on it.
(Never heard of a SE 205 Cam.???.. they are not in the SE book of cams )
Any ideas? Ride it 'til it asplodes? I haven't touched it since the Indy put it together and I uploaded the tune. I'm 99% sure I didn't screw up and put the low octane in it like I did the one time a long long time ago.
(Never heard all that many complain about it)
I've been hearing a noise over the past couple rides and I wasn't sure if it's something new or I'm just being paranoid.
(So, How long have you owned the bike..??)
At first I thought it was detonation as I was pretty sure I was already suffering from a minor bit of that when in the very low RPMs and hammering on the throttle.
(That not the best way to accelerate,, dropping a gear or two would be better)
It sounds like the engine pops when the bike is cooling down after being off, just two or three of them before the RPMs start to climb and it smooths out. I normally don't ride in RPMs that low, so it hasn't been a concern.
That does sound like/could be Pinging
Lately (at least I think it's just been lately) I've been getting simlar noises that are noticeable over the normal valve chatter right around 3,000 RPMs. It sounds exactly the same everytime I'm in that range and it's only under about 30% throttle. I don't really notice it while at 75%-100% throttle in that range and it has that same popping sound as a cooling engine.
(How many miles on you bike/motor.. Maybe time to check the C-Ters.)
The bike has a canned tune for the SE 205(IIRC) cam and 95" upgrade. It also has the SE'ish stage 1 on it.
(Never heard of a SE 205 Cam.???.. they are not in the SE book of cams )
Any ideas? Ride it 'til it asplodes? I haven't touched it since the Indy put it together and I uploaded the tune. I'm 99% sure I didn't screw up and put the low octane in it like I did the one time a long long time ago.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
Strange, because most people say the TC sounds like a sewing machine. It's a 2006 I've had since 2012. I don't normally hammer on it at a low RPM, but testing that was where I found out about the "ping". It has about 22k-24k miles and only about 4-6k since the SE203 cams and cylinder/jugs upgrade. The cam tensioners were replaced at that time.
I topped off the oil and I'm still getting the valve noise.
I topped off the oil and I'm still getting the valve noise.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
Not sure about this, but have you readjusted the valves since the install? 5k is about where that should be done,,,, I think..
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Sep 10, 2014 at 06:37 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 246
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From: iowa
VI, under light to mid accel while in too high a gear i have the same pinging, only when i am in too high a gear, i took it back to shop to recheck valves etc last week. builder told me its normal with cams, built up motor. it doesnt change with high octane or a booster added either.
i know i dont care for it but im not sure what can be done for it either. next spring i may go back to my dyno guy and have him ride and check it out and maybe change cams. i have the se211 now but i dont recall it when i had the se203s
i know i dont care for it but im not sure what can be done for it either. next spring i may go back to my dyno guy and have him ride and check it out and maybe change cams. i have the se211 now but i dont recall it when i had the se203s
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
VI, under light to mid accel while in too high a gear i have the same pinging, only when i am in too high a gear, i took it back to shop to recheck valves etc last week. builder told me its normal with cams, built up motor. it doesnt change with high octane or a booster added either.
i know i dont care for it but im not sure what can be done for it either. next spring i may go back to my dyno guy and have him ride and check it out and maybe change cams. i have the se211 now but i dont recall it when i had the se203s
i know i dont care for it but im not sure what can be done for it either. next spring i may go back to my dyno guy and have him ride and check it out and maybe change cams. i have the se211 now but i dont recall it when i had the se203s
But! I think something may be loose. It sound like a thin piece of metal vibrating on other metal, almost like my gas gap rattle, but slightly more substantial. I was coasting in town with the clutch in on the way home from my girl's place last night and when I would hit a substantial bump, I heard the noise just once each time I hit the bump. So I'm thinking that 3K rpm may be the sweet spot for something that's loose to vibrate. I put the coil relocation kit on just a few weeks ago an with the extra wires and zip ties, something may be vibrating against something else or something may be loose. I have a wedding to shoot this weekend, so I probably won't get to it then, but I'm hoping to have time to go over it and check everything to see if I can't pin point the issue.