I made the switch to HD in 2003. Previously I had owned several metric
types bikes. Other then the Triumph Bonniville I had, all were smooth
running.

My question is, does it EVER get any easier figuring out if your HD is going
to blowup or is just sounding "normal"? I must say if my car ran like this
I would be getting rid of it fast. Everyone tells me when I ask "Oh that's normal ! "

Dennis
2003 FLHTCI
Rhinehart Tru-Duals, Thundermaxx

 

No offense Dennis, but if you've been riding an HD since 2003 and haven't figured it out no one here can help ya. Different isn't necessarily a bad thing and maybe something smoother and gentler is more your style.

Ride well,

Jim

 

Mine make lots of noise, but it's a great sound.

 

No offense taken, but smoother/gentler??

Actually it was a comment about how HD's are not easy
to tell how they are running unless you really know about them
and that running like it is about to "blowup" is the HD trademark.

This is why I still have my 2003 ride and not traded back to
"smoother gentler side" as you suggest is my style.

I wouldn't trade my HD for anything as would any of our brothers! Clank, wheeze, bang, squeal, thud, forever man!

Later.......

 

Oh! Good for you, I misunderstood your post. I thought you were worried it would blow-up any minute.

Ride well,

Jim

 

When I frist got a new Heritage back in 98, I took my father for a short ride.. and although he was on the back seat getting most of the wind, after the ride he asked me what was wrong with the bike.... Why I asked and he said well the thing sounds like its trying to tear itself up! refering to the clunkie sounds of the transmission.

Wife asked me if something was loose.. And then later on a sportster I let my neighbor ride, he told me he was afraid that the transmission was going to explode on him..

It's a Harley thing with all the grinding, crunching, clunking etc..

 

snicker... embrace the "clatter"... it aint goin away..

 

My RK trans sounds horrible in 3rd and 4th whiney and noisey, it has always made that noise. I also have alot of valve noise, but then it is a Harley and it sounds better than my Pan did. Redline syn oils didmellow itquite a-bit.

 

I guess I'm used to it, but don't really think mine makes any outrageous noises other than the usual valve and exhaust noises.

We have to remember these motors aren't too far technologically from their 1930's n 40's ancestors... An air cooled V-Twin is a very old design and hence has it's inherent noises as would a Model A Ford, etc.

It's a wonderful and simple machine, so you'll never hear me complain about it! Simple and basic are what I admire. I don't like high tech much at all.

 

I'm on an 08 Road King, My 1st Harley, getting used to the what seems to be excessive mechanical noise is taking some time , actually sounds like it's coming apart at the seams...riding sewing machine smooth and quiet Japanese sport bikes for 30 years makes it even more difficult getting used to the sounds the HD makes, that said , I have no regrets having purchased it.