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

Rattle

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 02:14 PM
  #1  
Kalpish's Avatar
Kalpish
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Default Rattle

I've got a rattle sound in a 2003 1200C. It seems that it only happens before the bike has warmed up completely. After it's warm, the sound disappears. What would cause that? A loose wrist pin? Worn cams and bushings? I know my description isn't much to go by and that one sound could be the result of any one of several different problems, but give it your best shot, please. Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 03:30 PM
  #2  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

Maybe if you narrowed down where the sound seems to be coming from................
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 03:53 PM
  #3  
Kalpish's Avatar
Kalpish
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Default

It sounds like it's coming from the top end of the cylinder closest to the front of the bike. Beyond that, I just can't pinpoint it.
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 04:25 PM
  #4  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

It may be a lifter that's slow pumping up. But diagnosing sounds over the internet is nothing but pure guesswork.
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 09:16 PM
  #5  
Kalpish's Avatar
Kalpish
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Default

Understood. Thanks for your input.
 
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2012 | 09:23 PM
  #6  
Pockets518's Avatar
Pockets518
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Cohoes, NY
Default

use a long screw driver or pry bar (putting metal end to motor and ear on other end) to listen to motor in different places to pin point sound.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bchapman1
Engine Mechanical Topics
6
Jun 16, 2015 07:10 PM
Keithhu
Touring Models
0
Aug 16, 2013 03:52 PM
hdpearl70
Softail Models
1
May 25, 2009 07:02 PM
badgame
Dyna Glide Models
1
Mar 21, 2008 04:51 PM
SportyPig
Sportster Models
40
Aug 21, 2007 09:40 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:03 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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