Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rocker ticking, is it a problem or just annoying

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 19, 2018 | 07:24 PM
  #1  
gillie64's Avatar
gillie64
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 67
From: Wisconsin. Along the Mighty Mississippi.
Default Rocker ticking, is it a problem or just annoying

I see all the talk about rocker lockers stopping the ticking noise but is it a problem or just annoying? If it's not broke why fix it?
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2018 | 08:24 PM
  #2  
cchuck3537's Avatar
cchuck3537
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 280
Likes: 30
From: Lansing, MI
Default

I am curious the answer to this as well.
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2018 | 08:34 PM
  #3  
johnny_bravo00's Avatar
johnny_bravo00
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 528
Likes: 287
From: Toronto
Default

Louder exhaust should take care of that. Annoying sewing machine tick is normal.
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2018 | 08:47 PM
  #4  
cvaria's Avatar
cvaria
Supporter
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 2,215
From: Tallahassee, Florida
Supporter
Default

sewing machine with wheels? yes, completely normal.
 
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2018 | 09:03 PM
  #5  
ROCKOUT Rocker Products's Avatar
ROCKOUT Rocker Products
Sponsor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8,538
Likes: 1,646
From: SF Bay area
Default

Well, if it keeps you from wanting to ride your bike it's both

__________________________________________________ ____
For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click HERE For all Twin Cams and Evo Big Twins & Sportsters
 
__________________
NO, they DON'T all do that!
ROCKOUT rocker shaft inserts... make the tapping STOP! From the guy that FOUND and CURED the problem NO ONE ELSE COULD, thank you for your support!
Ordering & info http://www.rockout.biz On ebay! ... CLICK HERE
Also on amazon.com...
Imitated, never equaled... ROCKOUTS!


Reply
Old Jan 19, 2018 | 09:28 PM
  #6  
gillie64's Avatar
gillie64
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 67
From: Wisconsin. Along the Mighty Mississippi.
Default

Just driving especially me a little nuts, just bought for my wife, don't want a problem
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2018 | 09:20 AM
  #7  
Sam_48's Avatar
Sam_48
Tourer
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 370
Likes: 69
From: Laredo, TX
Default

You get used to it
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2018 | 09:26 AM
  #8  
apache snow's Avatar
apache snow
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,609
Likes: 694
From: over the mountain
Default

Its whatever you can live with. Mine has S&S rocker arms, S&S premium lifters and rocker lockers. It is very quiet compared to most Sportsters. It still has some mechanical noise but not the loud ticking some get. I did not do this for the noise though.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 20, 2018 | 10:25 AM
  #9  
JimmyL's Avatar
JimmyL
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 311
Likes: 52
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Default

Do the Rockouts.
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2018 | 08:47 AM
  #10  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Default

I'm not sure this 'problem' is looking for a solution! Is this noise due to faulty valve clearances? If in doubt start by getting an expert to listen to your bike, to identify if it needs attention. My Sporty is fine, but then I have other Harleys to compare it with.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
busterman2
EVO
17
May 15, 2016 01:07 PM
hgarzatx
Exhaust System Topics
9
Oct 5, 2009 06:37 AM
Milan
Exhaust System Topics
5
Jul 15, 2009 07:10 PM
ntrent1
Sportster Models
0
May 26, 2008 09:43 PM
bikefxds
General Topics/Tech Tips
0
Sep 18, 2007 08:58 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:24 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE