Hi,

I ride a 1997 Harley Sportster 1200 Custom. I love this bike. I only have one concern. I bought this bike about one year ago and it has 31,000 miles on it. I notice that their is quite a bit of engine noise. Its not too loud and I think it is normal. Its not knocking or anything. I just hear a ticking noise. It sounds like lifter noise or maybe wrist pin noise. I am not completely sure which it is. I think it is lifter noise. If the values are the problem can I adjust the valves? Or are they hydrulic? Are the values hard to adjust on the sportsters. I try to do all the mechical work myself than to bring it to a stealership. I have been told by friends that is just normal harley noise. I know my brothers vrod doesnt have that type of noise but that engine is completley different and I know that the liquid cooling makes it quieter. I run non-synthetic oil in the bike right now. I am thinking about run synthetic in it soon and see if that makes it quieter. Should I use synthetic on my bike. I just found a good deal on non-synthetic oil from Dennis Kirk so that is why I have been running it.

Thanks

 

Mine makes the same ticking noise, and I bought it from a reputable harley dealership two weeks ago so I would venture to guess (and hope) that it is a normal noise

 

normal

 

If it sounds like a sewing machine then you're good to go, but if it sounds like a can of rocks being shaken get it check out.

 

That's the first thing I noticed on my bike when I got it new-to-me. Perfectly normal if it's the "sewing machine noise" like wahlumsurfer said.

 

My 1997 1200 is noisy to,and after reading and searching around,all winter
i am going to stay with dino oil.

 

Cams and head work will make that noise go away......lol

 

Normal. Synth. oil helps though.

 

Hmmm...makes me wonder how you "guys" know what a sewing machine sounds like.

 

I like that thinking and the post about the SYN oil. Will help a bit.
My wife's bike sounds the same and has 20K miles on it and have had
the rear head off to replace an exh stud. Put back together and all
sounds the same and runs great.
You are good to go!