Let me first offer that I have ZERO mechanical or technical skills when it comes to bikes. But I own a 1999 Road King that has about 39K miles on her.

I've noticed more choking and popping on deceleration lately and then the other night a new noise started. As the bike is started a hissing sound is noticeable. As well on acceleration the same sound grows louder.

Friends have suggested an exhaust leak and maybe the gasket needs replaced. I don't have many tools, but any recommendations would be great.

 

You gotta get down up close and personal with the bike running and feel for any air movementat the exhaust/head. Look for any black exhaust markings. The nuts on the exhaust are 5/16. Basicly start looking and if you have a bad gasket its no big deal to change out. The big deals start when you have a exhaust stud pulling threads out, been there, had to deal with it.

 

Thank you for the response.

I spent the morning taking a hard look and couldn't find any leaking air. However it's noticeable that as the throttle is rev'd up the sound gets louder.

But then as I was putting the bike away, on start up there was more burping and even some smoke from the engine.

Really praying this isn't some big time engine failure!

 

You could have an intake leak. Get a can of WD-40 and spray around the intake flanges where they bolt to the heads, with the bike idling. If the rpm of the motor goes up you have a leak. The flange bolts will need tightening if this happens. The popping on deceleration is from the motor running lean.

 

popping on decel can also be fresh air introduced into exhaust from a leak.

are you running fresh gas, or are you just coming out of winter storage with old gas in there?

carb or fuel injection?

mike

 

okay the WD40 spray just took stuff to a whole new level!

I sprayed onto the flanges connecting the air intake to the heads. now the sounds is more a popping and no hissing. also for the first time i could feel air coming from the front head and noticed black liquid on the front head "arm" or rod (whatever the thing is called).

I quickly turned the bike off as i don't want to destroy the engine.

 

What you do next is up to you. Either take it to an HD shop, reputable indy or purchase a service manual and start reading.

 

is it safe to ride the bike to a shop? or will 20-30 miles on it cause serious engine problems?

 

If you or a buddy has a trailer, load it up and take it. If not, it probably won't cause any damage. Have someone follow you though.

 

reading your original thread,I would most definately take it to a shop.You might suggest a few things these guys here have said and maybe it might be something as simple as tightning/torque'ing things.I'm afraid that if you start tearing into it,you might do more harm than good.I'd also suggest to trailer it there,especially since you have no idea what's wrong.It doesn't sound too serious but get yourself some piece of mind.
While there,have em check the rocker box gaskets,these were prone to leak(cheap original HD gaskets)and when you get it back....LET YOUR EVO WARMUP before blasting down the road.