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Engine noise has changed

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Old Jul 25, 2008 | 12:01 PM
  #1  
HernD's Avatar
HernD
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Default Engine noise has changed

Hi Everybody, and a great big Hellloooo from the UK.
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Looking for advice on the note of my engine. It's an 06 Sportster 883 xl, with just over 2.5 k on it, only 800ml when I bought it.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;
I'm new to Harleys and was pleased with the note of the engine from the start, even though it did rattle and knock a bit. But, on the last couple of rides, the note has changed dramatically, and now when idling you can barely hear the exhaust for all the rattling from the top end of the motor, this concerns me greatly.
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Has anyone any knowledge of what could be up? I wont be riding it till I get it to a Harley doctor.
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Any help appreciated from across the pond&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;
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Cheers
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HernD
 
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Old Jul 25, 2008 | 12:13 PM
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xFreebirdx
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From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Default RE: Engine noise has changed

They need to be idling at 1000 or 1050 rpms a minute. If it's idling too low there wont be enough oil pumping.
 
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Old Jul 25, 2008 | 01:07 PM
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forever young
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Default RE: Engine noise has changed

Besides the&nbsp\\;idle speed, what type of oil are you running and is the level correct?
 
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Old Jul 25, 2008 | 02:31 PM
  #4  
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nmvtwinrider
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Default RE: Engine noise has changed

I look forward to seeing how this one gets resolved
 
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Old Jul 27, 2008 | 03:37 PM
  #5  
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HernD
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Default RE: Engine noise has changed

Hi,
&nbsp\\;
The motor is idling a little slower than waht you suggest it should, but the noises remain when throttle is turned slightly.
The oil has been checked both hot and cold and is fine, unsure about the type tho', as this was changed at the 1000 (800 ) mile service in jan 08, they may have put thicker oil in as it was winter, so this may be part of the prob.
As I recall, the tone has only changed since the temp over here has risen.
&nbsp\\;
HernD
 
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Old Jul 27, 2008 | 04:13 PM
  #6  
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Default RE: Engine noise has changed

ORIGINAL: HernD

Hi,
&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
The motor is idling a little slower than waht you suggest it should, but the noises remain when throttle is turned slightly.
The oil has been checked both hot and cold and is fine, unsure about the type tho', as this was changed at the 1000 (800 ) mile service in jan 08, they may have put thicker oil in as it was winter, so this may be part of the prob.
As I recall, the tone has only changed since the temp over here has risen.
&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
HernD
That may indeed be the problem, adding car additives or making the oil run thicker well result in bad oil circulation and therefore a lot of rattling noise.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2008 | 08:11 PM
  #7  
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Mark g
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From: PA.
Default RE: Engine noise has changed

When it's hotter you should run thicker oil. The service manual suggest using straight 60w when above 80 deg., 20/50 when below that.
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Sportster motors make alot of noise. That's something I wish the motor co. would work on!
 
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Old Jul 27, 2008 | 09:08 PM
  #8  
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soliveria
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Default RE: Engine noise has changed

Have you changed helmets? I have 3 different helmets and each one makes my engine sound different. The modular's quiet and the half is has alot of upper engine noise.
 
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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 02:17 PM
  #9  
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Default RE: Engine noise has changed

hi Guys
 
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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 02:39 PM
  #10  
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Default RE: Engine noise has changed

I run Red Line 20-50 in mine and it's above 100 deg. for the whole summer, no problems, been doin it for years. There's been a few threads with the same things goin on. Low mile bikes make less noise, when you get more miles and you have stock or quiet pipes you will hear the motor over the exhaust. No worries.
 
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