Normal noises?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Do change down a gear, to keep your engine in its sweet spot, when climbing.
You mention in another thread that you didn't change your shocks pre-load prior to your duo ride, to which I will add tyre pressures. Something H-D neglect IMHO (I've only owned them since the '70s) is when adding a passenger or lots of luggage also adjust tyre pressures to suit. Your tyres, especially the rear, will squash more than normal with Mrs H on board (no slur intended regarding her modest weight!), which in turn will add extra drag. That will be most noticeable when climbing hills. Extra pressure is something to experiment with, starting with a couple of extra psi in the front and say 4psi extra in the rear.
You mention in another thread that you didn't change your shocks pre-load prior to your duo ride, to which I will add tyre pressures. Something H-D neglect IMHO (I've only owned them since the '70s) is when adding a passenger or lots of luggage also adjust tyre pressures to suit. Your tyres, especially the rear, will squash more than normal with Mrs H on board (no slur intended regarding her modest weight!), which in turn will add extra drag. That will be most noticeable when climbing hills. Extra pressure is something to experiment with, starting with a couple of extra psi in the front and say 4psi extra in the rear.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 522
From: USA
Without sound it is all guessing.
1) Downshift - lugging detonation noise
2) Oil too hot and thinned out - rocker clacking noise
3) Something loose.
Only questions OP can answer I suppose is what weight and oil type is being used?
What RPM or gear and speed are they running when the noise occurs?
1) Downshift - lugging detonation noise
2) Oil too hot and thinned out - rocker clacking noise
3) Something loose.
Only questions OP can answer I suppose is what weight and oil type is being used?
What RPM or gear and speed are they running when the noise occurs?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
I would try a higher octane fuel and drop a gear to keep the RPM's up, see if that helps.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,040
Likes: 1,816
From: Kalifornia
Hmm detonation is a bad thing. I run 91 octane all the time and keep tires up to max. I did forget to up preload as I mentioned. Hard for me to tell with full face helmet and exhaust sound. I did downshift but with no tach on board I have no idea the RPM. Would only be a wag. I do run the Vied fuel system but that does nothing to timing to try and adjust that. Not sure if sportys have anti knock sensors.
I noticed a few days ago climbing the same hill solo the exhaust noise turns to a drone that makes it hard to discern other noises.
Will keep my ears open for knock noises and try to find a way to record them if it occurs again.
I noticed a few days ago climbing the same hill solo the exhaust noise turns to a drone that makes it hard to discern other noises.
Will keep my ears open for knock noises and try to find a way to record them if it occurs again.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 349
From: The Biggest Little City, Reno, NV
Try a good octain boost. Just know that even though it will raise the octain rating, it breaks down quickly and only lasts a couple days once added.I would add some, them go for a ride and see how it responds, it does sound like detenation, as lean as these bikes run it does not take much of a load for the combustion chambers to reach very high temps.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,040
Likes: 1,816
From: Kalifornia
Rode to town today and not sure it is bike noises. I mounted my phone holder today and ran power to it, so hopefully soon can do a sound clip to listen. Realized I hear a LOT of wind noises and some bike noises, hopefully a sound recording will sort them out.
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Sep 26, 2018 06:06 PM