When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Took my 07 Ultra in for 10000 mile service and told them about a lot of noise coming from the lifters or push rods or valve train. Mechanic comes out listens to motor and says oh all the 96 motors make that noise it is the cams moving in and out. I am thinking that if the cams are moving in and out I got major problems. I told him my 88 motor on my 02 Deuce doesnt make any noise at all he says different engines. Again I am thinking same motor bigger bore I may be wrong. It seems to be getting worse so I am thinking about going back and get it put in writing about the cams. What do you think?
My 08 makes way more engine noise than my 05 did. The clatter of the valve train, the injectors ticking, whirring from the primary. But....over 20,000 miles and runs like it did the day I got it. No issues at all.
Not sure what kind of oil your using but I have heard others say that using synthetic makes the valve train noisier than dino. Not sure why that would be but it did seem louder when I made the switch at 6000 miles. I still use the synthetic.
At 10,000 miles, it's just now starting to really get broken in good. Don't let noises bother you unless they change. If it's always made the noise and it's not getting worse, get used to it or get louder pipes so you can't hear it.
It seems to be getting worse so I am thinking about going back and get it put in writing about the cams. What do you think?
I would go to a different dealer.
I am dealing with a valve train issue now.
A few months ago I took my bike to a nearby dealer.I was told the sound was "normal".
I took the bike to a different dealer and two techs and a service writer agreed the noise was not normal.The bike is in the shop now and they say the rockers are hitting the valve covers.
Its your bike and you should know by now wha kinda noises it makes,dont let these dealers tell you what they call normal.Lazy bums wont dig into it because they dont want to fight the MoCo over warranty claims.If your warranty was out I bet they wouldve opened it up on your dime.Its been proven that some of these bikes have lwr end issues and the MoCo is doing all they can to keep it from exploding in their faces.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.