Engine noise issue
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 186
Likes: 2
From: Newcastle, Wa.
Engine noise issue
While on our recent MC trip my wife's bike, a 2000 Fat Boy stock engine, started making noise similar to the sound the old noisy lifter in a car used to make when they weren't pumped up yet. The oil level was good and no oil engine light was on, had no choice but to continue riding due to where we were at. We rode another 1000 miles with this condition until our luck ran into more issue and front fork seal blew out spewing oil all over my wife and the bike. After that we called AAA and had it towed to Lawless Harley in Renton, Washington. Anyone have any thoughts about the engine noise? It's going to be a few days before I get any word from the dealers.
Thanks
Louie
Thanks
Louie
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,623
From: along the shore of Mishigami
It's possible the lifter just decided to crap out on the road. I would have found the next HD dealer and phone in an appointment , let them know you are on the road, some shops will offer head of the line. I also understand time constraints. Hope everything got fixed and no additional problems to your wife's ride. Let us know what the dealer found. Thanks.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Well, on my Evo, on a trip to Colorado from Califas, that noise started in Denver before the trip back started, and the lifter gave up the ghost in Grand Junction. Had to ride the grey dog back home. Evo lifters were known to be weak, and if you listen to some folks, the same goes for Twinkie lifters.
But before I spent the big bucks for lifters, I'd think about installing Rockouts. They are a sponsor here, and I can tell you that it's pretty common for a noise that's attributed to lifters to actually be shifting of the rocker assemblies in the top end. I've installed several sets, and every time they've quieted down the engine.
Were I you, I'd order a set, and when I had the top end apart, I'd pull the lifters and take a peek. Especially look at the needle bearings on the cam followers. If you have ANY doubt, I'd look at Johnson Hy-Lift tappets...very inexpensive, very good reputation among the brethren.
You can reinstall the stock pushrods, or if you want to make your future easier to deal with, install a quality set of adjustable pushrods. Good luck, and keep in mind that my ideas are only my opinion, others will have opinions just as valid.
But before I spent the big bucks for lifters, I'd think about installing Rockouts. They are a sponsor here, and I can tell you that it's pretty common for a noise that's attributed to lifters to actually be shifting of the rocker assemblies in the top end. I've installed several sets, and every time they've quieted down the engine.
Were I you, I'd order a set, and when I had the top end apart, I'd pull the lifters and take a peek. Especially look at the needle bearings on the cam followers. If you have ANY doubt, I'd look at Johnson Hy-Lift tappets...very inexpensive, very good reputation among the brethren.
You can reinstall the stock pushrods, or if you want to make your future easier to deal with, install a quality set of adjustable pushrods. Good luck, and keep in mind that my ideas are only my opinion, others will have opinions just as valid.
Banned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 978
From: Viet Vet, crossroads
20 - 20 hindsight, should have towed home and saved a lot of money fixing.
1, -its dam hard to tell over the net what the noise is even if you posted it.
the best thing to is to raise the pushrod tubes and observe / feel what is going on whilst running.
You can actually feel, hear see if its really screwed up.
But its at the shop and you are out of aces.
1, -its dam hard to tell over the net what the noise is even if you posted it.
the best thing to is to raise the pushrod tubes and observe / feel what is going on whilst running.
You can actually feel, hear see if its really screwed up.
But its at the shop and you are out of aces.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 680
Likes: 224
From: Buhl, Idaho
lifters?
I don't know if Lawless kept the mechanics when they bought out the original owner, when it was DownTown Harley, the one I bought my FLHT from, new in 2008. I say this because when I had them do the stage one download, and install the screaming eagle mufflers, I rode the bike home, about 45 miles. and the left side muffler was only being held on by the pipe clamp, both rear mounting bolts were GONE. The muffler was hanging down, and I'm lucky it didn't come all the way off on the freeway. I mean, it's a Harley, but apparently the wrenches there didn't know about Loctite, or torque wrenches. So, if the have they same guys, beware. I never gave them another chance to work on it.
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Banned
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 978
From: Viet Vet, crossroads
Lets cut it to the bone.
An EVO has no business in a dealership,
The guys working there probably do not what a carburetor is (if you have one)
An EVO has no business in a dealership,
The guys working there probably do not what a carburetor is (if you have one)
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 186
Likes: 2
From: Newcastle, Wa.
Well, I've heard some unfavorable experiences of folks dealing with Lawless, so I'm on guard. As to the comment about an EVO, I've heard this from lots of folks, but then the question is where do you go if you can't handle yourself. Once again, thanks very much for all the comments.