Prior to having just done the BB and gear drive cams, I would say my engine was very quiet. Now it definitely sounds like a somewhat loud sewing machine. Not really a bother to me as the positives out way the clitering and clattering that is now present. Sewing machine is an accurate description though of my new sound.
Gary

 

Well a gear drive might be a little over kill on a Harley but they sure sound cool. I think my dads bike is getting back at him for playing Willie [:'(]Nelson Bla... Poor bike

 

I just got the stage II done on my bike and I'm feeling lucky to get back the same sewing machine I left them. Only MUCH FASTER!!![sm=jawdrop.gif][sm=badbadbad.gif]

 

A rod knock or anything major would be at all rpm's, right? My loud knock comes in at 27 or 2800 rpm when cold.
Gary D.

 

Well consistint loud noise threw the RPM range is not a good sign but you have to distinguish between Hard knocking ,pinging,clicking, grinding, rubbing, ticking ,exc If your engine has a loud knock at any RPM range it needs to be checked. If your bike does not have a oil gage you should install one. you need at least 8 lbs oil presh per 1000 RPM. 10 Lbs would be better. If your oil presh is low then something is wrong. Without being able to hear your noise it is very difficult for me to advise you but you really should find out what it is . NOTE when you are trying to hear a noise in a engine do NOT rev the engine at high RPMs in nutral !!!! Let's say you cut your self pretty bad and it hurts like hell . The pain you feel is your body telling you something is wrong .Machanical devises do the same thing only they subsititute noise for pain. OK how corny did that sound LOL? but it's true

 

As simple as I can make this sound, for me it's always at 27, 2800 rpm, all gears, a rapping sound like a valve is loose or it is hitting against a piston. Not pinging. Pinging is kinda high pitched. This is a lower, knocking sound. Once I hit 3000 rpm, all is well. From 1000 to 2600, sounds good. Bike pulls hard and strong through the entire rpm range. Only at 27, 2800 it knocks and is scaring me a little. I guess it could be anything coming from anywhere. It's a roadglide and that fairing reflects and echos noises all over the place. If I had to pinpoint it I would say it is coming from the right side of the engine. Fairing has a oil pressure gauge and it is consistent and good. Not clicking, pinging, ticking etc, it is a knock.
Gary D.

 

I had a similar sound in my '05 RK Classic. I wanted to lower the positioning of my handlebar grips, so removed the headlight to get to the nacelle trim piece that hides the split in the nacelle. It also hides one screw that is necessary to access to remove the fork crown cap. The nacelle trim piece was very loose. After putting everything back the noise was gone! I think it was the loose trim piece. ............... BC

 

Gary I think you should take it to a Harley Tech I have a few ideas on what it could be but like I said I was a GM Tech .I've built a few Harleys and worked on quite a few of them but don't consider my self to be a Harley expert and with out hearing it myself I would be guessing .If it was a running problem I would take a shot but this could be more serious Please keep me posted on this Ok?

 

I'd call it a chirping or even a tambourine sound.I am thankfulthis mystery sound appears to be an old issue (I thought I was going crazyhearing things no one else could. . .at least from the response I got from my friendly HD dealership). I bought my 2006 FLHTCUI last Spring and immediately identified the chirping sound in 4th gear, only and always evident between 41 and 47 mph. The sound is driving me nuts. If I roll on and off the throttle, I can replicate it every time. .. it is not intermittent. The dealership says their technicians don't hear anything, and in any case the engine is under warranty so I shouldn't be concerned, nice. I took the bike into local HD mechanic (doesn't do warranty work) and he said he also didn't hear anything and chalked it up to normal HD engine sound (on a scale of 1-10, he said mine "was about an eight"). If anyone has an idea on what is wrong, please let me know . . . or maybe it is normal. I have learned to run third gear higher than I am supposed to, and jump practically right though fourth and into fifth just to avoid the noise. Not an optimal solution for a $20K+bike. While I enjoy the ride and the rumble, after saving formy dreambike for over six years,I am thinking I should have gone with another brand (BMW or Yamaha). I have stock pipes, perhaps putting something louder on will help with the power as well as drown out the chirping sound.

 

Ok I have 92 FXDC with an EVO, mine has the sewing machine noise as well in all RPM ranges, but what I am worried about is the out of oil sound I get when I slow down. I check the oil all the time and it is never low and the oil light does not come on unless it is at start up. I run a pressure gauge and the oil pressure is in the norm.&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\;Any ideas before I put it in the shop. &nbsp\\;