2004 883 Front Cylinder Rocker Tap Tap Tap
 

The front cylinder is busy tapping from idle through the whole rpm range.
The rear is tight enough, but the front cylinder rockers are both talking to each other.

Just changed the oil (Synthetic Mobile one "Twin" 15W50) and a new filter.

The lifters are not making any noise, but the rockers are.

So, can this be chemically adjusted?
Perhaps this can be resolved with a chemical product that quiets and frees up the lifters.
Perhaps the lifters are full of sludge.

You are the experts and I'm the new guy.

All Harleys make noise , but this is a tad more than I feel comfortable with.

Need your opinions..
Bringing it into the local independent shop in the morning, but they fix every make and model bike.

I fear they may suggest more parts and labor than a Harley needs to stay alive and well.

Well, before you start digging into the engine, check your front engine stabilizer link just in front of your rocker box. I have a 2006 1200C and developed a ticking/tapping sound and I thought for sure it was internal to the engine but it was just the stabilizer link. Have someone else sit on the bike while it is idling and get down and see if you can twist the link back and forth, I suspect this may be causing the sound.

I so much wanted this to be the answer.
The rockers (perhaps caused by the lifters) are making the noise.

I have no idea how long this has been going on because I just bought the Sportster.

Makes you wonder how long you can ride before it grenades, how much damage is being done or if this is just a normal sound that many Harleys will make over time.

Tapping lifters..
Should I try chemical solutions?
Perhaps try using Dino oil instead of synthetic?
Using a Motor Flush and doing another oil change (Even though I Just changed it).

Oh, I so much wanted to believe the engine stabilizer link could be the cause.

Taking it to the shop at 9:30am tomorrow for a new front tire.
Will ask them to fully check it out and report back.

Hate to remove the rockers, but we may have to..

Want to try a motor flush and oil change first.

Hoping it is just a matter of sludge build up and the lifters not fully functioning.

25,800 some odd miles..

Has the engine been upgraded to a 1200?
If it has dual exhaust, does one sound different than the other?

both exhaust sound the same through the stock mufflers, but I will try the dollar bill trick to see if one side sucks in. will have the shop run a compression check. Considering having the top end rebuilt and doing the conversion.

Noise wise you're not doing yourself any favors with that Mobil1 syn oil. I'm sure it's a great oil for wear, etc, but in my experience there's nothing worse as far as noise.

Try dino oil in there... my personal choice is Spectro 25-60, best I've found & I've tried a LOT of oils.

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Lifters wear out, there is a seal that goes bad and they don't hold adjustment. This would be a hydraulic failure. The only other explanation would be a mechanical failure, such as the adjustment backed off at the rocker, or the rocker arm is broke or cracked, or the pushrod is bent. You have to take it apart and check things out, chemicals wont fix it. You can keep riding it at the risk of more damage and eventual failure as in the engine wont run or wont run properly. the tapping is excessive valve lash, which means parts are "hammering" into each other causing wear and damage.