Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

a fast tapping noise....

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 09:31 AM
  #1  
Rambone1570's Avatar
Rambone1570
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: So.Cal
Default a fast tapping noise....

I gotta 09 RK with about 1100 mi. on it. When Im on the fwy. with the windshield on going 70 or 75 sounds beautiful. When I hit 80 I hear a real fast tapping sound up front ( the windshield reflects the sound I guess ) Have you ever been in a Hot Rod and heard the lifters hitting when you jump on it ? It sounds just like that. Once I reduce throttle it goes away. Anyone have this problem ? your input is greatly appreciated
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 09:34 AM
  #2  
Road Ranger's Avatar
Road Ranger
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 4
From: Northern Illinois
Default

Probably what you are hearing is the valve train noise...These V-Twins make alot of noise...I wouldn't worry about it...just ride...It's under warranty.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 11:54 AM
  #3  
Pumba11's Avatar
Pumba11
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,020
Likes: 69
From: Twin Cities, MN
Default

Originally Posted by Road Ranger
Probably what you are hearing is the valve train noise...These V-Twins make alot of noise...I wouldn't worry about it...just ride...It's under warranty.
What he said. Its a Harley.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 12:02 PM
  #4  
Arizona's Avatar
Arizona
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
Default

It's a noisy motor - essentially it's a 1930's designed air cooled motor with external pushrods so it's just how they are.
 

Last edited by Arizona; Aug 13, 2009 at 12:06 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 12:38 PM
  #5  
emwolb's Avatar
emwolb
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
Default

it's harley davidsons' way of telling you that you just need louder pipes.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 04:37 PM
  #6  
UltraTheo's Avatar
UltraTheo
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 937
Likes: 5
From: Southwestern Illinois
Default

Yep, what everyone else says.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 04:43 PM
  #7  
ranman469's Avatar
ranman469
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by emwolb
it's harley davidsons' way of telling you that you just need louder pipes.
thats what i`m doing to fix mine also
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 04:48 PM
  #8  
trhayes76's Avatar
trhayes76
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Northeast FL
Default

I hear it most of the time on mine, but it gets louder at a certain speed/RPM. I don't have a tach, but I notice it more in 5th @ 64-67 mph, and in 6th @ 80-82...Maybe these RPM just makes the top end resonate a bit??
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 05:33 PM
  #9  
Texas Fat Boy's Avatar
Texas Fat Boy
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
Default

I never heard it on my 08 but I heard it right away on my 09.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2009 | 05:45 PM
  #10  
bobbydeuce's Avatar
bobbydeuce
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: So. Calif.
Default

Yep..My 09 RK makes all kinds of noises..tapping, clicking.. I've gotten used it.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JONNIEROCK
Touring Models
10
Jul 23, 2014 07:30 PM
stubby51
Sportster Models
6
Jul 9, 2011 10:32 PM
Ric27
Sportster Models
9
Oct 7, 2010 08:01 PM
wolverine66
Sportster Models
14
Jun 23, 2008 11:00 AM
LowRider08
Dyna Glide Models
22
Apr 28, 2008 01:46 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:14 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE