Engine noise
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
Engine noise
I have a 2010 Ultra Limited, stock 103 motor, about 29k miles. I've started noticing a ticking kind of sound from the right side of the engine. I'm hearing the noise after the bike has been running for half an hour or more, and it seems to start up after I've gone up a long hill/mountain and then let off the throttle most of the way. It almost sounds like the engine isn't getting oil at that point - sounds dry, clackety (hard to describe!). It will usually go away after a few seconds, almost like the engine needs to recover after pulling hard for a while. Seems to be most noticeable around 3000 rpm's.
I'm taking the bike up to the dealership this week for inspection, so I'd like to have them take a look at this also - but it's hard to describe. I don't know anything about HD engines, so I'm looking for some suggestions that I can have them check out when it's in the shop. I'm going to be doing a 1200 - 1500 mile ride over Labor Day weekend (Pittsburgh, PA to Asheville, NC and back), so I want to make sure the bike is solid before leaving!
I'm taking the bike up to the dealership this week for inspection, so I'd like to have them take a look at this also - but it's hard to describe. I don't know anything about HD engines, so I'm looking for some suggestions that I can have them check out when it's in the shop. I'm going to be doing a 1200 - 1500 mile ride over Labor Day weekend (Pittsburgh, PA to Asheville, NC and back), so I want to make sure the bike is solid before leaving!
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 123
From: Meridian, Idaho
So when you let off the throttle half way ...I assume you start to add more throttle as to continue up the hill/mountain. Are you down shifting when applying throttle again or just giving it throttle? How fast are you going? What are your RPM's at? Have you checked all of your fluids in the bike? What gas are you using? low grade low octane gas can cause a clanking , knocking sound under heavy load?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
So when you let off the throttle half way ...I assume you start to add more throttle as to continue up the hill/mountain. Are you down shifting when applying throttle again or just giving it throttle? How fast are you going? What are your RPM's at? Have you checked all of your fluids in the bike? What gas are you using? low grade low octane gas can cause a clanking , knocking sound under heavy load?
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lugging the engine came to mind - going uphill in high gear.
not using non-ethanol fuel causes a lot of clatter (on my bikes).
Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8,538
Likes: 1,646
From: SF Bay area
Have a look around my website, the sound, 3000 RPMs... has a familiar ring to it 
John @ Rockout
__________________________________________________ ____
For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click HERE For all Twin Cams and Evo Big Twins & Sportsters
John @ Rockout
__________________________________________________ ____
For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click HERE For all Twin Cams and Evo Big Twins & Sportsters
__________________
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!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
29,000 miles the motor is finally broken in. Sounds like normal slop in the valve train and doesn't hurt anything, If it goes away under heavy throttle but comes back under light acceleration, I wouldn't worry about it. If it bothers you, see the rock out post above. I have seen many posts stateing good results with their products. Turning the radio up works good too. 
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 856
Likes: 373
From: Duke City, NM
The Rockout sleeves didn’t help mine but I did Woods triple deuce cams and lifters and jackpot headers at the same time. I know they didn’t hurt and I had a gasket leak so rocker cover, rockers and rocker arm housing were coming off anyway. I stayed with the stock pushrods.
My sweet spot is 3000 rpms for the clatter. I talked to an indy and asked a service writer at the dealer that I know, trust and wrenches and they said the same thing, replace push rods with SE adjustables, and go a quarter turn past what the assigned adjustment is. When I hit the parts desk and told them what I wanted the parts guy mentioned the same thing.
V-Twins are known for rocker rattle. Most of the time it’s just loose tolerances where loose tolerances are allowed.
Shout out to Rockout. Sleeves were here within 3 days and installed just like they said. It does tighten up the push rods and is a remedy most of the time. I have a lot of friends that swear by them.
My sweet spot is 3000 rpms for the clatter. I talked to an indy and asked a service writer at the dealer that I know, trust and wrenches and they said the same thing, replace push rods with SE adjustables, and go a quarter turn past what the assigned adjustment is. When I hit the parts desk and told them what I wanted the parts guy mentioned the same thing.
V-Twins are known for rocker rattle. Most of the time it’s just loose tolerances where loose tolerances are allowed.
Shout out to Rockout. Sleeves were here within 3 days and installed just like they said. It does tighten up the push rods and is a remedy most of the time. I have a lot of friends that swear by them.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 11
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From: Pittsburgh
So when you let off the throttle half way ...I assume you start to add more throttle as to continue up the hill/mountain. Are you down shifting when applying throttle again or just giving it throttle? How fast are you going? What are your RPM's at? Have you checked all of your fluids in the bike? What gas are you using? low grade low octane gas can cause a clanking , knocking sound under heavy load?
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
For $16, I'll certainly keep this kit in mind!
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
I wouldn't call it a ping - more of a tapping/clackety sound, hard to explain, but it sounds 'dry' to me... like it's not getting enough oil. Idle sounds normal (I wouldn't call any HD motor 'quiet'!!). Only happens when I let up on the throttle after going up a long hill - say going from 70 - 80% throttle to 10%. Just in that spot where I'm not accelerating, but also not having the engine slow me down. Getting back on the throttle or letting off completely stops the noise.