Snapping noise
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
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Snapping noise
My 08 Ultra is one year old, this month. Ever since I took delivery of it, I kept noticing a "snap" noise, every time I suddenly roll off the throttle, or quickly roll on. I mentioned this to the service guy at the dealership, when they did the 1K mile service. He said "they couldn't duplicate the noise" (even though I told him how to make it happen). The noise is more prominent at higher speeds (if you suddenly cut the throttle, or quickly roll back on, while moving), but I heard it at lower speeds, too. Otherwise, the bike is running perfectly. I was wondering, if this is a common noise, or there is something very wrong with mine. I still have one year of waranty left....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Hoboken, New Jersey
It is just so hard to figure out a noise from someones discription of whats going on with their bike. My bike has exactly the same engine as yours and I hear no such "snap".
If you ask me though, it sounds more like a chassis issue rather than a engine issue. Now on my 2008 Street Glide with the Brembo brakes, if I am say rolling it out of the garage, and apply the front brake while I am rolling it in reverse, I hear a slight clunk. Then when I take off out of my driveway and head on down the road, when I come to the stop sign at the end of my street, I hear a much louder and sharper clunk. I had realized from day one when it did this that it was the brake pads though. As most here with 08' Touring models can attest the Brembo brakes do make a noise the first time you apply them.
That is just one example of a normal noise. What you are hearing though does not sound at all normal to me. If the tech at the dealer cant duplicate the noise. Then ask that another tech try it. Tell them EXACTLY how to make it happen. If it was me and I was trying to hear this noise, I think I would take out as quiet a bike as I had on hand, and ride right next to you while you make the noise happen. Then I could ID it right away.
Like I said though.....concentrate your search on frame/chassis fasteners. Start out at the forks..front wheel, and keep looking for something thats loose. Check the suspension front and rear. Check under the seat for something loose. Check inside the Bat Wing fairing for something rolling around in there. Just keep checking and checking. The only things that are not frame related that I think you should check is the exhaust system and its mounting brackets. Also be sure to check the three engine mounting points and associated fasteners and hardware. Even check the windscreen mounting bolts.......it has GOT to be something loose.
PS: Please let us know what it was when you find it.
If you ask me though, it sounds more like a chassis issue rather than a engine issue. Now on my 2008 Street Glide with the Brembo brakes, if I am say rolling it out of the garage, and apply the front brake while I am rolling it in reverse, I hear a slight clunk. Then when I take off out of my driveway and head on down the road, when I come to the stop sign at the end of my street, I hear a much louder and sharper clunk. I had realized from day one when it did this that it was the brake pads though. As most here with 08' Touring models can attest the Brembo brakes do make a noise the first time you apply them.
That is just one example of a normal noise. What you are hearing though does not sound at all normal to me. If the tech at the dealer cant duplicate the noise. Then ask that another tech try it. Tell them EXACTLY how to make it happen. If it was me and I was trying to hear this noise, I think I would take out as quiet a bike as I had on hand, and ride right next to you while you make the noise happen. Then I could ID it right away.
Like I said though.....concentrate your search on frame/chassis fasteners. Start out at the forks..front wheel, and keep looking for something thats loose. Check the suspension front and rear. Check under the seat for something loose. Check inside the Bat Wing fairing for something rolling around in there. Just keep checking and checking. The only things that are not frame related that I think you should check is the exhaust system and its mounting brackets. Also be sure to check the three engine mounting points and associated fasteners and hardware. Even check the windscreen mounting bolts.......it has GOT to be something loose.
PS: Please let us know what it was when you find it.
Last edited by biz44; Oct 25, 2008 at 06:49 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
Can you isolate the 'snap'? Front....rear.....left ...right?
I remember the old story about a guy getting a 'rattle' in his Buick around right hand turns.......come to find out it was a goilf ball in his trunk or some such thing.
Your saddle bags loose? Can of Plexis in the tour pack? Muffler clamps tight?
Could take some detective work.
Chuck
I remember the old story about a guy getting a 'rattle' in his Buick around right hand turns.......come to find out it was a goilf ball in his trunk or some such thing.
Your saddle bags loose? Can of Plexis in the tour pack? Muffler clamps tight?
Could take some detective work.
Chuck
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Intermediate
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Can you isolate the 'snap'? Front....rear.....left ...right?
I remember the old story about a guy getting a 'rattle' in his Buick around right hand turns.......come to find out it was a goilf ball in his trunk or some such thing.
Your saddle bags loose? Can of Plexis in the tour pack? Muffler clamps tight?
Could take some detective work.
Chuck
I remember the old story about a guy getting a 'rattle' in his Buick around right hand turns.......come to find out it was a goilf ball in his trunk or some such thing.
Your saddle bags loose? Can of Plexis in the tour pack? Muffler clamps tight?
Could take some detective work.
Chuck
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Madison, WI
My 08 Ultra is one year old, this month. Ever since I took delivery of it, I kept noticing a "snap" noise, every time I suddenly roll off the throttle, or quickly roll on. I mentioned this to the service guy at the dealership, when they did the 1K mile service. He said "they couldn't duplicate the noise" (even though I told him how to make it happen). The noise is more prominent at higher speeds (if you suddenly cut the throttle, or quickly roll back on, while moving), but I heard it at lower speeds, too. Otherwise, the bike is running perfectly. I was wondering, if this is a common noise, or there is something very wrong with mine. I still have one year of waranty left....
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 10
>>>Mine sounds like a ting-ting-ting sound.<<<
Yours is pre-ignition, commonly called a ping or spark knock.
I would almost bet on it.
I used to describe mine as tiny rocks hitting under the fender or tank.
An adjustment to my PCIII fixed it.
Mark
Yours is pre-ignition, commonly called a ping or spark knock.
I would almost bet on it.
I used to describe mine as tiny rocks hitting under the fender or tank.
An adjustment to my PCIII fixed it.
Mark