Clattering valves
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Stage II
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2
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From:
Clattering valves
I have a 2005 Ultra Classic, the bike runs good and strong however after the bike has been running in stop and go traffic for 20 to 30
minutes, the bike starts to clatter on take off and again in fifth gear.
When I purchased the bike I also purchased the 7 year extended warranty. The bike currently has less that 5000 miles on it. I have the maintenance performed like clockwork (and can prove it).
I have called a Harley shop and have been told that all touring models do this, I can't believe this, and that I can purchase louder pipes so that Iwon't notice it.
I spoke with another Harley shop and was told to try higher octane, I always use 93 octane.
I then talked to yet another Harley shop and was told to put some octane booster in the tank. The owner's manual says that I should use 91 octane or better (I meet these specifications).
Should my bike do this?
How can I get this resolved?
I don't believe the the best bike on the road should have these kinds of issues (Especially for the price of a small luxury sedan).
Please respond and ease my troubled mind.
minutes, the bike starts to clatter on take off and again in fifth gear.
When I purchased the bike I also purchased the 7 year extended warranty. The bike currently has less that 5000 miles on it. I have the maintenance performed like clockwork (and can prove it).
I have called a Harley shop and have been told that all touring models do this, I can't believe this, and that I can purchase louder pipes so that Iwon't notice it.
I spoke with another Harley shop and was told to try higher octane, I always use 93 octane.
I then talked to yet another Harley shop and was told to put some octane booster in the tank. The owner's manual says that I should use 91 octane or better (I meet these specifications).
Should my bike do this?
How can I get this resolved?
I don't believe the the best bike on the road should have these kinds of issues (Especially for the price of a small luxury sedan).
Please respond and ease my troubled mind.
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,496
Likes: 156
From:
RE: Clattering valves
First off the dealers response to EVERYTHING is "they all do that", pure and simple, they should reply ' We don't know what causes that" and not insult our intelligence.
Could be low on oil? The 05's are using oil because of a problem with valve seals
A switch to Mobil 1 V Twin will no doubt help you here, especially if you're running Syn 3
93 octane is all you need, many say they use regular with no proiblems, but I'll stick to the 93 myself, but stay away from the additives IMO
Could be low on oil? The 05's are using oil because of a problem with valve seals
A switch to Mobil 1 V Twin will no doubt help you here, especially if you're running Syn 3
93 octane is all you need, many say they use regular with no proiblems, but I'll stick to the 93 myself, but stay away from the additives IMO
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Clattering valves
OK! My wife is on the floor laughing. She thinks it't the best excuss for loud pipes she has heard yet.
Trying to be serious a moment I too am a new Harley owner (05 Ultra). I asked my local dealer about how noisy the motor is. His response was "first Harley aye"? Yeah it rattles with valve rocker clatter (1800 rpm), chain like sounds when cold and gear like noises at certain acel/decel conditions. I'm going with the standard answer for now. Am I worried? Yep. If I am wrong somebody tell me. But I figured It's what they do. Air cooled is as air cooled does.
Toytech
Trying to be serious a moment I too am a new Harley owner (05 Ultra). I asked my local dealer about how noisy the motor is. His response was "first Harley aye"? Yeah it rattles with valve rocker clatter (1800 rpm), chain like sounds when cold and gear like noises at certain acel/decel conditions. I'm going with the standard answer for now. Am I worried? Yep. If I am wrong somebody tell me. But I figured It's what they do. Air cooled is as air cooled does.
Toytech
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 2
RE: Clattering valves
I've noticed a lot of noise that people tell me is valve noise. I have an 05 Sportster and I am worried about this also. My friends 04 Sportster doesn't seem to suffer from the same noise.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 12
RE: Clattering valves
This is the nature of the beast. I have both a Roadking and a Sporty, and they both sound like pea thrashers. You have to take into account, air cooled, vtwin, pushrod motors. There is alot of contact points in the valve train. Synthetic oil will help, as will pipes or a radio, but utimately you are sitting on the motor.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
RE: Clattering valves
Air cooled motors are noisy. I can hear the cams hitting the lifters at lower RPM's on my 05 Ultra and the valve train clatter at higher RPM's. Since they are hydraulic lifters, they are not adjustable, and motor noise is to be expected. On my old KZ900 it was the cam chain that made all the noise. Different motors, different noises. I figure I just need to get used to the new sounds it makes.
Steve
Steve
Banned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
RE: Clattering valves
Are you talking valve noise, or pinging? Valve noise won't be cured by higher octane fuel..... If you are talking ignition and you live in a warm climate, you will need to get a Power Commander. I ran into pinging in Arizona a couple of years ago and went into the Flagstaff stealership. They told me that the only cure was a Power Commander. Ya know something? They were right. (for a change)
Good luck,
Good luck,
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 2
RE: Clattering valves
I don't mind any of the noise. It just worries me that something is wrong. I also get worried if it doesn't sound exactly the same in other bikes. I'm sure my mind will ease more when I put some miles on it and realize that it's ok. I go through this with all my machines I care about. If I hug my legs close to the engine it muffles the noise. 
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 2
From: Arizona
RE: Clattering valves
ORIGINAL: 1200c
I don't mind any of the noise. It just worries me that something is wrong....
I don't mind any of the noise. It just worries me that something is wrong....
Steve
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Clattering valves
My '00 Ultra is my first Harley also.
I just went cross-country with her, and noticed a strange phenomina.......up to 78 mph, all you hear is that awesome deap, throaty HD rumble, but at 79 and above, it makes a frightening rattle sound that I can only describe as being like " a crankcase full of steel marbles". At 85 MPH and above, the sound will come and go unpredictably.
Not knowing what a Harley is "supposed" to sound like, I have to ask......do any of you experience anything simillar?........is it normal?
THANKS!
Frank
I just went cross-country with her, and noticed a strange phenomina.......up to 78 mph, all you hear is that awesome deap, throaty HD rumble, but at 79 and above, it makes a frightening rattle sound that I can only describe as being like " a crankcase full of steel marbles". At 85 MPH and above, the sound will come and go unpredictably.
Not knowing what a Harley is "supposed" to sound like, I have to ask......do any of you experience anything simillar?........is it normal?
THANKS!
Frank