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Stage 2 questions

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Old May 14, 2023 | 10:04 AM
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Default Stage 2 questions
Hi all, a newbie Harley owner here, but 30+ years of motorcycling. Just got a 2015 Ultra Classic (flhtk) with a stage 2. I'm hearing a lot of noise/ticking from the engine. I already put in the Rockout inserts and that didn't help. Is the stage 2 just that noisey?

Thanks in advance
 
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Old May 14, 2023 | 10:55 AM
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Harleys in general are noisy. That said, excessive ticking can be a bad lifter(s), improperly adjusted pushrods (if so equipped), etc.
 
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Old May 14, 2023 | 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by dawg
Harleys in general are noisy. That said, excessive ticking can be a bad lifter(s), improperly adjusted pushrods (if so equipped), etc.

Thanks Dawg, much appreciated. It just seems a little excessive, but then, this is my first Harley, so....
 
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Old May 14, 2023 | 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Tjeditor
Thanks Dawg, much appreciated. It just seems a little excessive, but then, this is my first Harley, so....
Investigate further. They don’t all do that. Mine doesn’t.
 
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Old May 14, 2023 | 01:18 PM
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What cam / lifters do you have?
 
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Old May 14, 2023 | 01:28 PM
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How many miles? Does the ticking change with engine speed? Do you hear it only at idle? Does it go away/appear when you pull in the clutch? All gears?

Can you localize the sound: primary, cylinder head, pushrod base (lifter), cam chest, transmission, clutch?
 
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Old May 14, 2023 | 01:35 PM
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Possible exhaust gasket leaking, they can sound similart.
 
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Old May 14, 2023 | 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by bson
How many miles? Does the ticking change with engine speed? Do you hear it only at idle? Does it go away/appear when you pull in the clutch? All gears?

Can you localize the sound: primary, cylinder head, pushrod base (lifter), cam chest, transmission, clutch?
About 38K miles, ticking goes with engine speed, I hear it all the time, it doesn't go away with the clutch pulled and is in all gears.

I'm fairly certain it's related to the valve train - it gets a little better after it's warmed up, but it's definitely at the top of the engine - under the rocker covers. If I'm at highway speed and really give it the onions, it almost sounds like a hammer.
 
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Old May 14, 2023 | 07:38 PM
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FWIW- I have a ‘16 FLHTK stage 4. I had the Rocker lockouts put on. It still sounds like a noisy sewing machine.
 
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Old May 14, 2023 | 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by bklynbob
What cam / lifters do you have?

TTS 100 Cam (not sure about the lifters) with V&H Exhaust and SE high flow air cover
 
Last edited by Tjeditor; May 14, 2023 at 07:46 PM.
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