Ride it 'til it grenades.

 

My 2013 103 RK chatters a lot. Wish there was an easy way to quiet it down some. FYI I use syn-3.

 

I don't listen for noise as an possible indicator of a problem, get to know what your particular engine sounds like and listen for NEW noises.

 

Police models with only 3,000 miles on them? Must have only been used for parades and such!!

 

Welcome from NC. I was surprised how noisy these engines are when I got both my Sporty and King. As someone else mentioned, get to know how yours sounds and any new ones discovered is something to take notice of.

 

Welcome to the forum steve. I would not be so quick to dismiss that noise without someone actually listening to it.

 

Mine has the sound. Another thing to consider is that the windshield on a Road King is roughly parabolic in shape and the engine is in the focus of that parabola, therefore acting as a natural amplifier of top end engine sounds.

 

A new set of lifters helped quiet mine down enough that my passenger noticed and said something, and she had no way of otherwise knowing!

I used the Gaterman GP-1023

 

I had a similar noise, Dealer tech rode it and thought it was a sticky lifter. Had SE lifters installed and before I picked it up dealer said he thought he heard an ignition noise. Took out PC and replaced with Harley version. I got 15 more HP and some torque, Great. Picked up bike and went 1/2 a mile and guess what, same noise. Had another tech ride it and he says that's the noise they make. Lesson learned. I replaced the primary chain tensioner last month (48000 miles) with a Hayden and was hoping that might help but didn't change the noise.

 

I have been living with the top end noises on 2 different bikes, tried different oils and such but it was still there.

I recently tried some Lucas Pure synthetic stabilizer and I will be danged if it has actually worked !!

I added prior to a 700 mile ride and did not notice any difference right away so I kind of forgot plus the beauty of Yosemite Park made me forget everything.

Well yesterday afternoon as I was riding I noticed the typical top end chatter between 57 and 64 mph was just about gone and 125 miles later it still was.

Surprised me ! Well for whatever it is worth it did work and I use Mobil 1 syn.