Howie,

Using Syn3 is like running your engine using water! I know people who used Syn3 and changed to other (better) synthetic oils! Since I am bias toward Amsoil (because they work) I will tell you that it will make your engine and transmission run quieter, shift better, and stay cooler.

I would recommend Amsoil 20w50 for the engine and the primary. And, Amsoil 75w90 gear lube for your transmission. I think you'll see a significant difference.

 

New word to descibe the noise, not pinging, but chirping like crickets on the left side under tank

 

Howie,
I am currently in the Coast Guard also a Chief but ventured to the Dark Side (CWO).
I have an 03 Road King and With the Hot weather here in Texas Mine I have recently noticed this tapping sound also. I really started to notice it after the Gas went to 10% ethanhol. I'm Stumped also...

BOP21CG

 

I hope we get an answer soon, it's driving me nuts. I'm a retired RDC. Last tour was Command Chief on Northland. I still work for the Guard but as a contractor (c2cen).

 

What people describe as "that classic Harley V-Twin noise" is not supposed to be there. My guess is that your engine didn't make that noise when new, did it? My 2001 RK engine was replaced with a new engine late in 2001 after I submitted the lemon law paper work. The engine didn't sound like that new and the new engine was fine for a couple thousand miles before it started the same racket. There are many, many posts here where people are complaining about that noise. The H-D factory engine tech (not a dealer mechanic) called me after tearing down the original engine to say that the rear cam had badly worn lobes (at 10k miles!!!) on it that was causing very erratic operation of the valves on the rear cylinder. Those lifters, long push rods and rocker arms will work quietly as long as they are following a cam lobe that has the correct profile to it. If it wears out to a jagged leading ramp or developes sort of a sharp top it will cause havoc with the rest of the valve train. Even though the problem is with the cam the noise you hear comes from the top of the engine where the rocker arms are. Harley must use the worst cams around and they are banking on owners upgrading them to higher performance cams anyway or loud exhausts so the problem can't be heard.

My advice: Break in with regular oil, switch to a good synthetic like Mobil 1 or others (not H-D) and install an oil cooler to keep the oil additives from burning away prematurely. I believe if I had followed this advice on the new motor I wouldn't be cussing H-D every time I rode it.

 

howieheels, Do you have the automatic primary chain tensioner? I have the same sound, same gear, same PRM, but it didn't start until I installed the HD primary chain tensioner.

 

My Dads bike does that . I don't think it's a predet (ping) problem Predetanation very rarely occurs at crusing speeds and if it does the engine would be so lean it would back fire under a mild load A easy way to test it is to get the bike up to normal running temp find a road with a slite incline and crusing go from second into 4th gear and and give it some gas (simulating a heavy load) If there is no ping then that isen't the problem . If there is a ping then compair the noise that you have been hearing.Note if the bike starts to ping let off on the gas to make it stop pinging. Predetanation is hard on a engine so just a second or two to see is all that's needed Also I should tell you that I'm not a Harley tech but I was a high performance GM tech for 30 years( old fart) What I really think the noise you are hearing is metal expansion IE a chrome exhaust cover , pushrod cover a steel clamp Like you hear when on a hot day you shut your car off and hear this ticking noise .It's just two different alloys with different expansion rates

 

Gezzzzz I spell like a 5 year old !!!

 

dahellion,

so you would say this could be normal? thanks

 

Well engine noise should always be taken seriously! The problem is that a lot of times major engine problems can make the same sounds as miner ones .IE One time I heard a exhaust leak(miner) that sounded like a rod knock (major). Like the earler thread about the cam losing part of its lobe do to a defective cam . A hydraulic lifter will compensate to a point picking up the gap caused by the lobe grinding off and once it passes that point you will hear a clattering noise that can sound like the noise that we have been discussing however that kind of noise would be a lot more consistent . What you are hearing is the rocker is slapping the valve. Another problem is metal particals from the cam running threw your engine. Generally speeking consistent engine noise indacates a more serious problem. A rod knock(major) will be louder when the engine is cold caused by slop in the rod bearing.When the engine gets warm the rod ,bearing will expand picking up some of the slop. The rod bearing itself is more of a bushing then a bearing there are no moving parts. The term "Spun Rod" means the bearing spun in the rod which causes it to lock up on the crank and depending what point of the rotation the crank is in when this happends will decide how much damage will be done but if it gets to that point you will be dipping into your savings for repairs. Bottom line if you can't locate the noise your self have it checked. Now that I bored ya all to sleep! If you would like me to give you some tips to help locate engine noises I will be glad to