07 FLHR Engine noise
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
07 FLHR Engine noise
I just bought an 07 Road King. When I got it there were only 624 miles on the clock. There are now a little over 1300.. Hey, give me a break, I have only had it a week! Anyway while in 5th gear at about 45mph just rolling, not trying to accelerate or decellerate, I hear a tapping noise that sounds like it was coming from the front cylinder. The bike had the screaming eagle cams put in it and had the retune to the fuel injection prior to me buying it. It also has the V&H True duals on it. I had an 04 Wide Glide and it didn't make this noise. I know that noise problems are hard to diagnose without hearing them but any ideas? The sound kinda reminds me of a wrist pin in a car when it is going out. 5th gear also seems to whine a lot. Is this something you all think I should be worried about? BTW, the noise goes away if I let off or twist the grip harder. I am just worried because I know the warranty goes away in July 08 and if this is a problem, I want it diagnosed and handled soon.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
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From: australia
Try redline heavy shockproof gear oil for the 5 gear wine.I would ask if they fitted adjustable type push rods in when they fitted the SE cams and if so this could cause that tapping noise your hearing.These motors are noisy when cold and take 20 minutes or so to warm up most of the noise will go when there hot. Don't use top gear unless your doing over 70 or the motor will lug along at 2200 rpm.
Last edited by hogbag07; Aug 16, 2008 at 06:09 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
Gunner, you're describing normal '07 noises, but there is hope on the horizon. The clatter can be fixed by installing IDS (HD #40287-07), which is mostly a matter of removing the rear wheel and installing a hub in place of the stock sproket. Order it from Zanotti Motors (www.zanottimotor.com) and have them add the bearing-install ($12). The kit, bearing install, and shipping will cost you about $215, but is worth every penny. All '08 and '09 bikes have IDS installed at the factory, so we '07 owners are step-children, abandoned to fend for ourselves in a world of clatter and noise. My bike originally clattered in 5th and 6tth gears when RPM's were below about 2300, but magically disappeared after IDS was installed. It also smoothed the drivetrain and made the bike much more enjoyable to ride.
The 5th-gear whine is also normal and is likely something you'll need to get used to. It is caused by spur-cut gears in 1st and 5th, and won't cause any harm. You may quieten it somewhat by using a heavy gear oil (e.g., 85w140) and IDS may calm it somewhat, but it will likely not go away completely. Mine didn't but I don't even hear it anymore unless I make a point to listen for it.
The 5th-gear whine is also normal and is likely something you'll need to get used to. It is caused by spur-cut gears in 1st and 5th, and won't cause any harm. You may quieten it somewhat by using a heavy gear oil (e.g., 85w140) and IDS may calm it somewhat, but it will likely not go away completely. Mine didn't but I don't even hear it anymore unless I make a point to listen for it.
Last edited by iclick; Aug 16, 2008 at 03:58 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Boise Idaho
I would bet you are hearing the 5th gear chater that all 07's had and the IDS does get rid of it and a quart of 75-110 Amsoil Severe Gear in the Transmision also helps. There is nothing wrong it's just they Harley built them.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 473
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From: Utah
Inflated sense of self
All 07's ?? I don't think so, Mine doesn't. Lot's of whining and poor spelling in a small corner of the internet, that what I see. You guy a goldwing yet?
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Honestly, I do not know what the grind is! The stealer I bought it from just said it had the screamin eagle cams and FI reprogram kit.
What does this IDS do? Is it a new sprocket with a different style center hub? I tried to look it up on their site and it is sure not very user friendly.
The noise I am trying to describe sounds like it is coming from the front of the engine and not from the rear sprocket area. Is the IDS a factory Harley part? Is this something that the warranty should cover? I really LOVE the bike other than the noises I think shouldn't be there. I will post my pics as soon as I figure out how to do that.
It seems to me that 6th is pretty much useless if I can't use it below 70mph. I do notice that it lugs quite a bit if I am below 55 so I don't generally use it at those times. I don't really get in it too much anyway so loping along is fine with me... as long as it does not hurt the engine to do so. Since I don't have a tach yet, what kind of RPM would you all figure I am running in 6th at 55? It does not sound to me to be turning too slow or lugging. BTW, when I described the noise of the engine and said "the noise goes away if I let off or twist the grip harder" I was refering to the engine noise, NOT the 5th gear whine. Thanks
What does this IDS do? Is it a new sprocket with a different style center hub? I tried to look it up on their site and it is sure not very user friendly.
The noise I am trying to describe sounds like it is coming from the front of the engine and not from the rear sprocket area. Is the IDS a factory Harley part? Is this something that the warranty should cover? I really LOVE the bike other than the noises I think shouldn't be there. I will post my pics as soon as I figure out how to do that.
It seems to me that 6th is pretty much useless if I can't use it below 70mph. I do notice that it lugs quite a bit if I am below 55 so I don't generally use it at those times. I don't really get in it too much anyway so loping along is fine with me... as long as it does not hurt the engine to do so. Since I don't have a tach yet, what kind of RPM would you all figure I am running in 6th at 55? It does not sound to me to be turning too slow or lugging. BTW, when I described the noise of the engine and said "the noise goes away if I let off or twist the grip harder" I was refering to the engine noise, NOT the 5th gear whine. Thanks
Last edited by Thompson Gunner; Aug 16, 2008 at 07:18 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Western North Carolina
It seems to me that 6th is pretty much useless if I can't use it below 70mph. I do notice that it lugs quite a bit if I am below 55 so I don't generally use it at those times. I don't really get in it too much anyway so loping along is fine with me... as long as it does not hurt the engine to do so. Since I don't have a tach yet, what kind of RPM would you all figure I am running in 6th at 55? It does not sound to me to be turning too slow or lugging. BTW, when I described the noise of the engine and said "the noise goes away if I let off or twist the grip harder" I was refering to the engine noise, NOT the 5th gear Thanks
I never even think about 6th below 70mph.
You want to keep you rpms about 2500 or higher, they cruise good at 3100rpms and the way up to redline.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: eastcoast
You got that right, those 4 3/8 flywheels can not be "lugged" at all.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From:
Forget IDS and quit worrying about it. IDS is for riders that do not know when to downshift. If you are "rolling along at 45 mph" you should be in fourth gear, not fifth. Just sayin'.
By the way, if your warranty is up in July 08, it's too late.
By the way, if your warranty is up in July 08, it's too late.