110 motor noise?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Several years ago, after some discussions with 110 CVO owners, and I can't remember, maybe some looking around the forums, I came to the decision that the 110 engine was one to avoid because of loose tolerances in the top end. Apparently, the word I was getting was that Harley set the top ends up with bigger tolerances due to the heat in the heads. Was that true or not? Really, I couldn't tell ya for certain, but that was what I was told by several sources, and judging from the folks I spoke with face to face, none of them would ever buy another 110 CI engine...they WOULD get a 103, however. Loose tolerances equate to more noise.
Now, then, a neighbor of mine trotted up to my house with a brand new 110 CVO Ultra about three months ago, and I broke the sad news to him about what I had learned about the earlier engines...he said that his engine wasn't noisy at all, and it still isn't noisy today after about six thousand miles. It may be that the heads are water cooled, I didn't pay that much attention to it, and that would have allowed the MoCo to use tighter tolerances...hence, less noise.
With my own 2011 96" engine, after I got it, I noticed that the engine seemed to be significantly noisier in the top end than the '06 88 CI engine in the bike that it replaced. During the black-out project, I pulled the rocker covers, top and bottom, to paint 'em wrinkle black, and installed Rock Outs at that time. MUCH quieter! I'm a fan now...
Now, then, a neighbor of mine trotted up to my house with a brand new 110 CVO Ultra about three months ago, and I broke the sad news to him about what I had learned about the earlier engines...he said that his engine wasn't noisy at all, and it still isn't noisy today after about six thousand miles. It may be that the heads are water cooled, I didn't pay that much attention to it, and that would have allowed the MoCo to use tighter tolerances...hence, less noise.
With my own 2011 96" engine, after I got it, I noticed that the engine seemed to be significantly noisier in the top end than the '06 88 CI engine in the bike that it replaced. During the black-out project, I pulled the rocker covers, top and bottom, to paint 'em wrinkle black, and installed Rock Outs at that time. MUCH quieter! I'm a fan now...
Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: York PA
So metal on metal tapping noises are common in the 110? My 16 CVO breakout has developed this noise that I can hear around 2500 rpm. Is worse when the bike is hot. Sounds like left side of the bike. Harley dealer keeps telling me it is normal. Just bought the bike in January and it only has 830 miles on it. I never noticed the noise until it had around 500 miles on it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 587
From: Michigan
A buddy's wife just lost her 110B motor to a stuck intake valve. Took out everything. Couldn't get warranty approval for replacement motor. It's getting rebuilt with new everything except cases & one cylinder, w/reworked heads & new crank, rods, pistons, cams, lifters, etc. I think she has around 26kmi on the bike.
Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8,538
Likes: 1,646
From: SF Bay area
So metal on metal tapping noises are common in the 110? My 16 CVO breakout has developed this noise that I can hear around 2500 rpm. Is worse when the bike is hot. Sounds like left side of the bike. Harley dealer keeps telling me it is normal. Just bought the bike in January and it only has 830 miles on it. I never noticed the noise until it had around 500 miles on it.
A tapping noise that comes in at that RPM then goes away is very typical of rocker shaft noise.
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For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click the LINKS below... For all Twin Cams and Evo Big Twins & Sporsters
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NO, they DON'T all do that!
ROCKOUT rocker shaft inserts... make the tapping STOP! From the guy that FOUND and CURED the problem NO ONE ELSE COULD, thank you for your support!
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Ordering & info http://www.rockout.biz On ebay! ... CLICK HERE
Also on amazon.com...
Imitated, never equaled... ROCKOUTS!
Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: York PA
A tapping noise that comes in at that RPM then goes away is very typical of rocker shaft noise.
__________________________________________________ ____
For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click the LINKS below... For all Twin Cams and Evo Big Twins & Sporsters
__________________________________________________ ____
For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click the LINKS below... For all Twin Cams and Evo Big Twins & Sporsters
Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8,538
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From: SF Bay area
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
So metal on metal tapping noises are common in the 110? My 16 CVO breakout has developed this noise that I can hear around 2500 rpm. Is worse when the bike is hot. Sounds like left side of the bike. Harley dealer keeps telling me it is normal. Just bought the bike in January and it only has 830 miles on it. I never noticed the noise until it had around 500 miles on it.
Depends on how far out of whack the tolerances are at the shafts. Mine 2010 was really sloppy. I did the inserts and it certainly helped but didn't nix it entirely. The guy that built my motor said 2 of the 4 inserts just dropped in so there is a variance in the rockers from bike to bike for sure. The inserts are cheap and even if they don't nix it entirely they certainly don't hurt anything.
The shop that built my motor said that they all vary with regards to valve train noise in that area but that they have yet to see where it impacts durability. The only issue with the 110's is that the valve springs are heavier than they need to be and sometimes take out the lifters.
Last edited by todd-67; Jun 14, 2017 at 06:20 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
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From: Great State of Canada
X "x" for the Rockouts. Installation, even for a duffer like me, is easy and these are the absolute best bang for 15 lousy bux you'll ever find for your Harley!!
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 285
From: Alva Florida
Rockout's are the worst investment........lol. Once they quiet the valve train noise down, you hear all the other noises that you didn't hear before. Heat shields vibrating, whirring coming from the clutch, a whole host of other noises to chase and eliminate. I should have just turned the radio up louder.
Seriously easy fix, best $15.00 I ever spent.
Seriously easy fix, best $15.00 I ever spent.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 115
Likes: 33
From: Central California Coast
Rockout's are the worst investment........lol. Once they quiet the valve train noise down, you hear all the other noises that you didn't hear before. Heat shields vibrating, whirring coming from the clutch, a whole host of other noises to chase and eliminate. I should have just turned the radio up louder.
Seriously easy fix, best $15.00 I ever spent.
Seriously easy fix, best $15.00 I ever spent.
To better chase my noise down I installed a pair of 2016 stock touring muffler take offs (sidelined those loud pythons for a while) on my 2011 FHLP.
My noise kind of peaked at 2000 rpm, quieter at higher and lower RPMs. At 1800 RPM in gear, engine goes completely noise free. Mine has 40K miles and rockouts (35K miles), new (39K miles) 255 SE cams, SE support plate, and C lifters.
I just this week replaced my rear tire and decided to replace the cush drive rubber isolators in the rear sprocket at the same time. My drive belt was also on the loose side, so adjusted per factory specs. Now it is actually quieter, to the point where I can hear the tranny whine, a 1st ! The tapping at 2000 rpm is less now, although the noise rpm band increased down to 1800 rpm and up to 2300 rpm, so now it (really) sounds like the low mile used twin cam tourers where I work. Interesting.