96A Engine noise
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii, island of Oahu.
96A Engine noise
I have about 2500 miles on the bike now and to me it still sounds like a washing machine. My 59 panhead didn't have the lifter noise that this bike seems to have. I did the procedure listed on the site to tighten the primary chain which had no effect on the "noise". The dealer claims the bike has no abnormal noises but I have listened to and road a 2011 Ultra and a 2008 RKC neither of which sounded like my bike. Has anyone else had this problem? Are there checks that I can make myself to isolate where the noise is coming from?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
You shouldn't need to tighten the primary chain ever. It does it on it's own but if the noise is coming from that area, you could have a weak compensator. Use the search button and you will find all the symptoms of a compensator problem.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
I have about 2500 miles on the bike now and to me it still sounds like a washing machine. My 59 panhead didn't have the lifter noise that this bike seems to have. I did the procedure listed on the site to tighten the primary chain which had no effect on the "noise". The dealer claims the bike has no abnormal noises but I have listened to and road a 2011 Ultra and a 2008 RKC neither of which sounded like my bike. Has anyone else had this problem? Are there checks that I can make myself to isolate where the noise is coming from?
Just make sure you don't have any echo and record from the front of the bike .
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Hot Springs, Arkansas
mine seems to have a lot of noise, especially in the 2-3000 range. when i took it in to dealer, they didn't even ride. they could plainly hear and agreed it was excessive. they inspected and said everything is within MOCO specs. their answer= "ide it till it breaks" NOT what i was looking for in a touring bike. after some talking they decided to replace the lifters and rocker shaft bushings. its in the shop now so don't know the outcome yet. i've only got 5600 miles on it.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: Mission BC
08 ultra with just under 30,000 miles, never really quiet since new, some oils that I have used do make a difference on how it sounds, at idle and hot sometimes very noisy, at highway speed it sounds just fine........heard lots of comments about valve train noise in these engines but if you worried about every little sound you'd sell it and go metric
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 975
Likes: 8
From: Houston
You have a stock engine with mass produced parts with large manufacture tolerances. Until you replaced lifters, push rods and the cams with tighter specs, its always going to sound like a sewing machine.
My 2008 96" was horrible!
My 2011 with the 107" FM Kit is deadly quiet.
My 2008 96" was horrible!
My 2011 with the 107" FM Kit is deadly quiet.
Last edited by CigarCritic; Jan 29, 2011 at 07:55 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 36
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From: Hawaii, island of Oahu.
Actually at idle I don't notice it, seems to be the worst at 40-60 mph in 4th and 5th gear...no tach so I don't know what rpm range that equates to. Above 60 in 5th it seems to be quieter.
