Ping?
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
You probably wouldn't be able to hear it thru a sound clip, I think it's too subtle a sound to come thru, unless it's really really severe. Your description sounds like pinging to me.If your hearing it mostly at low RPM rollons, or if it's much more pronounced at low RPM rollons it's most likely pinging.Do you have any kind of tuning device on your bike? It can usually be resolved by letting the bike breath better, free flowing AC/pipes and a good tune. That will cool off the bike and give you a stronger runner. This is VERY common with the stock bikes running very lean from the factory.
Unfortunately, thats the Harley "Tax", the price you pay to make the bike run as it should in the 1st place. Many service managers will tell you it's normal...right.
Unfortunately, thats the Harley "Tax", the price you pay to make the bike run as it should in the 1st place. Many service managers will tell you it's normal...right.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
After reading a couple recent threads, Ive got a couple more questions.
This thread leads me to believe that maybe I'm being overly cautious
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...icky-ears.html
This one makes me wonder...
Should I try to add some octane booster to fuel that is already 93 octane and see if the noise persists? Any draw backs to doing this?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...el-octane.html
This thread leads me to believe that maybe I'm being overly cautious
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...icky-ears.html
This one makes me wonder...
Should I try to add some octane booster to fuel that is already 93 octane and see if the noise persists? Any draw backs to doing this?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...el-octane.html
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta, GA
Are you sure it's pinging and not valve train noise coming from the top end? That is very typical and normal for these engines. It is possible to hear valve train tapping at any rpm and sometimes intermittently. Some of these engines sound like a bucket of bolts but it is the nature of the beast.
Is the bike hot or cold when it pings? Is the engine under load or are you hearing tapping while rolling on the throttle while stopped?
I wouldn't run out and spend money just yet. You are going to be spending money on a big guess. You need to take your bike to a dealer or indy with a dyno and let them monitor for detonation. There are a number of different settings that will resolve this including changing the timing settings in the effected rpm ranges.
If you do have detonation, this is easily resolved and will save your engine from damage.
Is the bike hot or cold when it pings? Is the engine under load or are you hearing tapping while rolling on the throttle while stopped?
I wouldn't run out and spend money just yet. You are going to be spending money on a big guess. You need to take your bike to a dealer or indy with a dyno and let them monitor for detonation. There are a number of different settings that will resolve this including changing the timing settings in the effected rpm ranges.
If you do have detonation, this is easily resolved and will save your engine from damage.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
[
This one makes me wonder...
Should I try to add some octane booster to fuel that is already 93 octane and see if the noise persists? Any draw backs to doing th
The owners manual for my 11 FLHTK clearly states that "do not use race fuel or octane boosters. Use of these fuels will damage the fuel system." Page 32 fuel requirements. Recommended octane for the stock engine is 91, not 93
These engines make noise in the valve train. In some respect it reminds me of an older Chevy 350 with the hydraulic lifters, the "whiring" sound
This one makes me wonder...
Should I try to add some octane booster to fuel that is already 93 octane and see if the noise persists? Any draw backs to doing th
The owners manual for my 11 FLHTK clearly states that "do not use race fuel or octane boosters. Use of these fuels will damage the fuel system." Page 32 fuel requirements. Recommended octane for the stock engine is 91, not 93
These engines make noise in the valve train. In some respect it reminds me of an older Chevy 350 with the hydraulic lifters, the "whiring" sound
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: NH
It could be valvatrain noise too, its hard to diagnose a sound from a written description. Find someone familiar with pinging and try 1st to figure out what the sound really is first. I wouldn't recommend the local HD service dept, some are good and will be truthful, many will just tow the company line and say this is normal as long as the bike is still running. If it's pinging, I know guys that have used octane boost with no issues but thats your decision. It's kinda like treating the symptom rather than fixing the root cause. Has this sound happened over multiple tanks of gas? A tankful of crap gas can do it too, but if its there over multiple tanks from different sources trhat wouldn't be it.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Washington
I experienced the same pinging issue during my break in period. The pininging was much worse on hot days...85 degrees and up. Dealer told me that this was common....Once I put on new headers, removed cats, installed AC and tuned the pinging went completely away.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: NH
Thats great aint it? Just because it's common doesn't mean it's right.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Washington
Totally agree!! Buy a new bike and have to put thousands of $'s into it just to make it run properly!!! MoCo will keep doing this until the demand for their product drops and the consumer takes a stand.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
I dont know if your still stock it shouldnt be doing that. Mine was running real lean before i plugged in an VIED and never got a ping.... i would get it looked at by the dealership. A stock brsnd new bike should not be doing that this early correct me if im wrojg guys?