Pinging? A rattle? Have a strange issue - LONG read
BTW - I appreciate all of your replies.
Thanks for your replies.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
Sixth gear is worthless unless you are doing 80. Preignition pinging is really loud on the 103. They need to be over 3000 rpm and most guys are lugging them in the 2300-2800 range. Ride it hard and your problem will go away. Keep the revs up!
Just found an old thread that talked about keeping the rpm's up. Going on a 200 mile ride tomorrow and will definitely do that.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Enid, OK
Oddly enough, I've had that same sort of sound for the longest time. Bought my 09 with 9K mi, no issues so far but have heard this same thing.
Did upgrade to Stage 1 w/4" Rineharts (heard it's hard to tune with those) and the PCV. Sent bike to dyno, came back running horrible in 5th/6th, pinging and throwing engine codes. 2nd trip from dyno it was a little better but bad enough for me to to wipe it out and built my own map. Runs ok now but tends to have a "poof" in 6th when pulling a big hill or into the wind (gee, thanks batwing) and loves gas (36 MPG on a good day). Whatever, rich better than lean.
Anyway, the top end still sounds like the darn valves are thrashing, just sounds like serious metal on metal. Although my sportster had the same basic sound...is this inherent in all HD models?
Did upgrade to Stage 1 w/4" Rineharts (heard it's hard to tune with those) and the PCV. Sent bike to dyno, came back running horrible in 5th/6th, pinging and throwing engine codes. 2nd trip from dyno it was a little better but bad enough for me to to wipe it out and built my own map. Runs ok now but tends to have a "poof" in 6th when pulling a big hill or into the wind (gee, thanks batwing) and loves gas (36 MPG on a good day). Whatever, rich better than lean.
Anyway, the top end still sounds like the darn valves are thrashing, just sounds like serious metal on metal. Although my sportster had the same basic sound...is this inherent in all HD models?
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Enid, OK
And as for rattling nickels? That too is prevalent but it's attributed to the heat shield on the front exhaust and only comes around when hot. Hotter the day, worse the sound. Can't figure out where it's loose, clamps are tight but the poke of a screw driver can quiet it.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: NH
It's hard to get a good sense of a sound from a description but it does sound like it's pinging. 6th is useless below about 80 like the guy said back a few posts. Try downshifting going up the hills you spoke of and try to keep in in the 29-32 k rpm zone when you expect the noise. If bumping the rpms up gets rid of the problem than it probably is pinging. I put a 30tooth tranny sprocket on mine and it made 6th more usable and gave it a little better grunt down bottom
Last edited by streetg131; Apr 1, 2012 at 06:16 AM.
