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I changed it the lifters for S&S premium and cold start tick tick went away. If you have excessive noise between 2 and 3 thousand rpm check out the post under touring model called quest for tapping is over by Bikerscum
It could either be typical valve train/lifter clatter or could be worse. the only thing to do is get it to a mechanic and have if checked. Its awful hard to diagnos over the internet
or really expensive replacing parts on hear say from the internet. Just shared a friends problem after he checked everything before taking it to the shop. not trying to say who is right or wrong.
Last edited by jd05flhtci; Jul 13, 2015 at 08:38 PM.
If the noise goes away fairly quickly after start up this is normal. All three of my Harley's are noisy at start up and then quiet down once the lifters pump up. With the exception of a race motor I'm not buying into the "Premium Lifter" hype. I have Woods Night Prowler Directional lifters in my '08 RK which cost me twice as much as stock lifters and they are just as noisy until they pump up as the stock Harley lifters in my son's RK.
I have 2 Harley's and every time I go to the lake house and ride the old bike I hear new noises. A few times they were a real problem but most are just different. When I come home again i hear noises. I usually let most go however I am convinced my lifters in my '13 are not as good as any of my last 4 Harley's. I have been told they were made in Mexico to spec and it seems the spec was written too loose. The wide clearances seem to allow the lifters too bleed pressure and require pumping up at each cold start.
If under warranty, have you taken it to your Dealer and let them check it out?
I am fortunate that my Dealer has a good reputation, and the Service Manager once told me "Look, as long as you are under warranty if anything - ANYTHING concerns you, bring it by and we will check it out, and of course it won't cost you a dime. Hell, if it is anything, we'll fix it."
One day I stopped by there to get some new pegs, and a mechanic was outside taking a smoke. I had noticed a "Chirp" that would show up from time to time, bugged the **** out of me. I asked Him if He could tell me where it is coming from. "High pitch, or low pitch?" He asked. I said High. "Start it up". One chirp. He stood up, and said "That's a heat shield - snug 'em all up, and it will be gone". He was right!
He is also the dyno guy, listening to motors all the time. If you find the right one, they have heard a lot of stuff over the years, and can quickly point out stuff that will bug you.
BTW - He also said "You are running synthetic aren't you?" Yep. He said "That little bit of valve noise is normal, but syn is better for long term as well as high heat protection. I listen to these things all the time, and THAT right there is a good stout motor, I bet it will run like hell". Yep.
Go talk to 'em, it might make your day!
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