Lifter tapping after trailering
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Lifter tapping after trailering
I've got a 2001 Road King Classic that I bought used last January. The bike only had about 5000 miles on it when I bought, used very little. The problem I'm having now is ever time I trailer the bike(which by the way is about twice a year to go to Myrtle Beach) somewhere and unload it I have a lifter tapping for up to 5 mins. Everyone I've talked with about itsays basically the same thing, they've never heard of this problem just fromtrailer a bike, but they seem to think it's a lifter that has bleed down and is taking a while to pump back up.
I've taking the bike to my local H-D dealer and they checked the oil psi and listen to the motor with a scope for cam bearing or lifter noise. They have informed me that everything appears OK to them, no noise. But when I delivered it to them I had one of the techs. come out and listen to it as I fired it up. And yes it did have a lifter tap, but only for about 3 second, it had only been in the trailer for 1hr - roughly 10 miles.
My questionsare - 1.Has anyone elseexperienced this phenomena ?
2.Is it considered a weak lifter ?
3. Is it damaging anything (cam lobes) ?
4. Will it get worse or maybe not ?
5. Should I have the lifters replaced ?
The bike now has almost 13,000 miles on it and runs great, other than this lifter noise after trailering.
I really appreciate all opinions and responses, as I have to make a desision soon on picking it up as is, or replacing the lifters & or replacing cam (SE203)and lifters.
And I know all my buds tell medon't trailer it........RIDE HER.
Thanks,
Chris
I've taking the bike to my local H-D dealer and they checked the oil psi and listen to the motor with a scope for cam bearing or lifter noise. They have informed me that everything appears OK to them, no noise. But when I delivered it to them I had one of the techs. come out and listen to it as I fired it up. And yes it did have a lifter tap, but only for about 3 second, it had only been in the trailer for 1hr - roughly 10 miles.
My questionsare - 1.Has anyone elseexperienced this phenomena ?
2.Is it considered a weak lifter ?
3. Is it damaging anything (cam lobes) ?
4. Will it get worse or maybe not ?
5. Should I have the lifters replaced ?
The bike now has almost 13,000 miles on it and runs great, other than this lifter noise after trailering.
I really appreciate all opinions and responses, as I have to make a desision soon on picking it up as is, or replacing the lifters & or replacing cam (SE203)and lifters.
And I know all my buds tell medon't trailer it........RIDE HER.
Thanks,
Chris
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 723
Likes: 62
From: Cape Cod, Ma.
RE: Lifter tapping after trailering
I ran into the same thing this summer after I trailered to Canada for vacation. When I got back home it made a God awful noist that scared the hell out of me for about 5 minutes. The only thing I can figure is that the lifter bleed down with all the movement of the trailer. I don't know why that would happen, but, it appears that you and I have had the same problem. I have had no prblems since, but, if you trailer it is worth keeping an eye on.
Neil
Neil
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,860
Likes: 32,759
From: King George, VA
RE: Lifter tapping after trailering
I think Neil is correct in his assessment. With the vibrations of trailering the bike and the engine isn't running to keep oil pressure on the lifter, the oil will leak back out from the weight of the lift rods and force of the valve springs against them.
I would be inclined to think that the same thing occures with bikes that are not run for quite a while.
I would be inclined to think that the same thing occures with bikes that are not run for quite a while.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: St Joseph, Michigan
RE: Lifter tapping after trailering
Did you leave the bike in gear while trailering? I have heard that will make them clatter. I'm not sure why but that is what i was told. I trailer mine alot and I dont have any problems but I always make sure it in netural.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,920
Likes: 6
From: Upstate New York
RE: Lifter tapping after trailering
It appears you do not know how to comunicate with your bike...
in time you 2 will become 1..
it will be then, you will realise it's desperatly crying out to you,,,,"RIDE me,,, you
whimpy putz,,, RIDE me!!!!!!
LOL!!!
in time you 2 will become 1..
it will be then, you will realise it's desperatly crying out to you,,,,"RIDE me,,, you
whimpy putz,,, RIDE me!!!!!!
LOL!!!
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,680
Likes: 602
From: South Florida
RE: Lifter tapping after trailering
Fire it up on the trailer every other time you stop for gas or a rest stop and see what it does when you arrive at your destination
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 944
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
RE: Lifter tapping after trailering
ORIGINAL: electaRICK
It appears you do not know how to comunicate with your bike...
in time you 2 will become 1..
it will be then, you will realise it's desperatly crying out to you,,,,"RIDE me,,, you
whimpy putz,,, RIDE me!!!!!!
LOL!!!
It appears you do not know how to comunicate with your bike...
in time you 2 will become 1..
it will be then, you will realise it's desperatly crying out to you,,,,"RIDE me,,, you
whimpy putz,,, RIDE me!!!!!!
LOL!!!
...and I thought he was pulling the trailer!
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
RE: Lifter tapping after trailering
LOL.........I knew I'd catch some heat about a trailering issue, but hey that's cool I understand. Since I bought it last Jan. I've put 8,ooo miles on it, not too bad considering it's not the only scoot I'm riding.
Thanks for everyones input, I guess it's not a major issue as long as it doesn't get any worse.
GTK - that's not a bad idea.
Thanks
Thanks for everyones input, I guess it's not a major issue as long as it doesn't get any worse.
GTK - that's not a bad idea.
Thanks