103" lifter (?) noise
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Far, Far away
I have a 2011 SG 103. Put the first 1500 miles on it in stock condition. I didn't notice an excessive noise. After 1500 miles had SE255 cams, fatshotz slip ons and SE air cleaner installed. Started hearing the annoying noise immediately after picking it up. Road another 2500 miles with the noise and had it looked at by numerous dealers. They all told me 'its normal.' I also dealt with the knock during cold starts that lasted a second maybe two then went away. I was told that was normal as well. Around 4000 miles it picked up a steady "knocking" so I took it in again and told them I didn't want it back until it was fixed. Turns out two of the lifters were bad. Ended up scoring my cams and push rods. Got all that replaced (under warranty) and now have over 10,000 on it. And guess what... I still have a tic, clatter, whatever. It drives me crazy. Same RPM's as everyone else. But... damn does it run good and strong.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 155
Likes: 4
From: Kissimmee
I had no ticking, just a normal sewing machine buzz that was acceptable and "I" considered normal. After the 48H Andrews cams install, the valvetrain clatter persists and will not go away. Readjusted push rods 3 different times, removed rocker boxes and shimmed rocker arms to minimum allowable clearance, finding some over maximum allowed and thinking that would do it. Nope. Replaced lifters with gatorman pieces which look like and are reported to be far superior components. Still ticking, readjusted push rods another time, just in case... still there.
Now it runs until whatever the problem is fails or until I trade it, which ever comes first.
Good news is it won't effect trade in since it's "NORMAL".
Now it runs until whatever the problem is fails or until I trade it, which ever comes first.
Good news is it won't effect trade in since it's "NORMAL".
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
From: pennsylvania
my 07 96 tapped and this 2010 limited with 103 taps but then again so did my 88 and before that the 1340. life is good you should have heard the xlch back in the day. ride the bitch and she will certainly reward you.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Far, Far away
I got the tap or tic.... but this is more like a knock. The twin cam motors are supposed to be quieter than evo's... or so I'm told. My evo is MUCH smoother running and quieter. Not as strong as my 103 tho... It just seems to me that the moco would fix the lifter noise.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I have 2011 RKC I had to have the front two lifters replaced under warrenty I had 11,000 miles on my bike. When it was cold it would clatter real loud until it was warmed up. The lifters were bleeding down. This is a known issue.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Noisy FLHTK
I have a 2012 FLHTK with 1300 miles.. 1000 mi service done, super tuner, dyno, stage 1, amsol 20/50, rush slipons 1.75 baffles.... When I first start the motor and ride it.. The key word is ride it not sit still, at around 2400 I get what sounds like loud valve rattling which decreases as the motor gets hot.. The noise continues but not loud but only when it's ridden and under load.. After it gets hot, the noise comes back into play above 2000 rpm and contines but not real loud . If I am in 4th at 50 mph and around 2600 rpm and hold that steady , the noise becomes louder until I move the trottle up or down.. Been to two harley dealers, factory rep rode it and a harley mechanic friend rode it.. All say its normal.. I have never had one this noisy since a 89 ultra with 80000 miles on it .. Any thoughts ? Everything is quiet sitting in the garage and revving the motor !!!!!!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 395
Likes: 11
From: Oklahoma
I have a 2012 FLHTK with 1300 miles.. 1000 mi service done, super tuner, dyno, stage 1, amsol 20/50, rush slipons 1.75 baffles.... When I first start the motor and ride it.. The key word is ride it not sit still, at around 2400 I get what sounds like loud valve rattling which decreases as the motor gets hot.. The noise continues but not loud but only when it's ridden and under load.. After it gets hot, the noise comes back into play above 2000 rpm and contines but not real loud . If I am in 4th at 50 mph and around 2600 rpm and hold that steady , the noise becomes louder until I move the trottle up or down.. Been to two harley dealers, factory rep rode it and a harley mechanic friend rode it.. All say its normal.. I have never had one this noisy since a 89 ultra with 80000 miles on it .. Any thoughts ? Everything is quiet sitting in the garage and revving the motor !!!!!!
I've got almost 3000 miles on mine now, I don't think it's any worse, but it's still there. Sometimes I think it's getting better but I think I'm just getting used to it.
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
valve noise
The only reason it has had a super tuner, dyno and stage one is the factory rep was more concerned about my rush mufflers and how they take the exhaust out of warranty.. So I asked what to do to bring it back into warranty and the above is what she said to do.. I thought the amsol might help with the noise, NOT... Everyone says ride it and not to worry.. One dealer said he would have no problem riding it to CA !!! Its still noisy and that is not what I thought I was buying..I understand the air cooled motor ,etc but this is ridiculous the the "motor company" aka Harley has a very poorly engineered motor that they are pawning on us and then telling us " its normal" !!!!! I've smoke blown up my a_ _ before and this is more of it.. The answers from many are get a louder exhaust, turn up the radio, etc.. You have got to be kidding !!!!! I had a 2010 tri glide with the same motor, 6 speed tranny and it was quiet with the exception of the neutral rattle!!!!
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 10
The only reason it has had a super tuner, dyno and stage one is the factory rep was more concerned about my rush mufflers and how they take the exhaust out of warranty.. So I asked what to do to bring it back into warranty and the above is what she said to do.. I thought the amsol might help with the noise, NOT... Everyone says ride it and not to worry.. One dealer said he would have no problem riding it to CA !!! Its still noisy and that is not what I thought I was buying..I understand the air cooled motor ,etc but this is ridiculous the the "motor company" aka Harley has a very poorly engineered motor that they are pawning on us and then telling us " its normal" !!!!! I've smoke blown up my a_ _ before and this is more of it.. The answers from many are get a louder exhaust, turn up the radio, etc.. You have got to be kidding !!!!! I had a 2010 tri glide with the same motor, 6 speed tranny and it was quiet with the exception of the neutral rattle!!!!
Try going back to reg non-synthetic. It will likely be quieter.
Mark