OK, I'm sick about this with 1 week to Daytona..

2001 FLHTCUI 42000 miles, SE Hyd Cam plate and HV oil pump, true dual w/SE Slip ons. Mobile 1 20/50 in all 3 holes. 60 psi oil when cold.. 25 at hot idle.
This started with a dead battery this past winter, tried to crank a few times.. let it sit a month or so then replaced battery.

Now running in my shop.. the engine begins making a noise I've never heard.. the warmer it gets the looser it sounds, but when I turn the engine off as the motor ramps down I get a lower primary noise like a spoke clicker on a bicycle. tick..tick....tick......tick........tick.......... tick.

I'm thinking compensator, I replace it with a solid sprocket drive (I don't hot rod my bike any..) thinking that might have it. Change the oil, NO good.

I take it to a Harley former service manager.. he listens with his stethascope and says.. you got a bad lifter.. ok.. 4 new johnson hilift lifters, cam bearings(just because I'm there) adj push rods, SE 203 cams..(I know I need to remap, I need the noise gone first) Change oil again ($80 in oil so far.)

Still got the noise on ramp down. What's left?.... could it be the rotor and stator? could a loose magnet be doing this. This engine purrs when it's cold..

Steve Burnfin


I rode it to work today thinking when I get home with the motor warmed up I would unplug stator and shut it down and see if noise is still there..

 

I think you're going to have to put the stethescope down and open up the primary and the cam chest. Could also be crank bearing I suppose.

 

They all do that. Call it lifter lash. You could install stiffer valve springs.