Solutions for valvetrain noise!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
You mean I have a case of expensive Redline Oil in my garage that I shouldn't use?
The difference between 20/50 & 20/60 cannot be that dramatic. We all know that the higher number never actually stays that high in high heat situations like in our bikes in 80+ degree temps on long runs, sitting in traffic in the summer, etc.
I have not checked my manual myself but others have said that the manual recommends 60W oil for temps above a certain degree. I'm going to check my 09 manual later today and see for myself.
I'm using the Baisley Oil Spring which boosts my oil pressure up so I don't think there should be an oil passage issue. I'll try the 20/60 in July & August and see what happens......
If I didn't read so much on this forum, I would not buy or try half of the chit that I have. IT'S THE FORUMS FAULT I TELL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The difference between 20/50 & 20/60 cannot be that dramatic. We all know that the higher number never actually stays that high in high heat situations like in our bikes in 80+ degree temps on long runs, sitting in traffic in the summer, etc.
I have not checked my manual myself but others have said that the manual recommends 60W oil for temps above a certain degree. I'm going to check my 09 manual later today and see for myself.
I'm using the Baisley Oil Spring which boosts my oil pressure up so I don't think there should be an oil passage issue. I'll try the 20/60 in July & August and see what happens......
If I didn't read so much on this forum, I would not buy or try half of the chit that I have. IT'S THE FORUMS FAULT I TELL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 500
Likes: 2
From: Springfield Ohio
Maybe some day I'll get bored enough to dig into my power plant and try to chase it down, but it isn't something I dwell on - she'll be fine. Something that struck me at a recent bike blessing where nearly 10,000 machines showed up: when I was walking around with a constant stream of Harleys pouring in past me I didn't hear a single tap or rattle from any of them. So either we here at the forum have the only noisy engines out there, or we're just sensitive because it its our engine we're sitting on.
I'll keep reading threads like this in case there is ever a consensus and to keep myself up to date, but I won't let this issue affect my riding enjoyment. Mom's old Singer still works pretty good!
Over and out.
I'll keep reading threads like this in case there is ever a consensus and to keep myself up to date, but I won't let this issue affect my riding enjoyment. Mom's old Singer still works pretty good!
Over and out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,173
From: Oxford, Nc
You mean I have a case of expensive Redline Oil in my garage that I shouldn't use?
The difference between 20/50 & 20/60 cannot be that dramatic. We all know that the higher number never actually stays that high in high heat situations like in our bikes in 80+ degree temps on long runs, sitting in traffic in the summer, etc.
I have not checked my manual myself but others have said that the manual recommends 60W oil for temps above a certain degree. I'm going to check my 09 manual later today and see for myself.
I'm using the Baisley Oil Spring which boosts my oil pressure up so I don't think there should be an oil passage issue. I'll try the 20/60 in July & August and see what happens......
If I didn't read so much on this forum, I would not buy or try half of the chit that I have. IT'S THE FORUMS FAULT I TELL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The difference between 20/50 & 20/60 cannot be that dramatic. We all know that the higher number never actually stays that high in high heat situations like in our bikes in 80+ degree temps on long runs, sitting in traffic in the summer, etc.
I have not checked my manual myself but others have said that the manual recommends 60W oil for temps above a certain degree. I'm going to check my 09 manual later today and see for myself.
I'm using the Baisley Oil Spring which boosts my oil pressure up so I don't think there should be an oil passage issue. I'll try the 20/60 in July & August and see what happens......
If I didn't read so much on this forum, I would not buy or try half of the chit that I have. IT'S THE FORUMS FAULT I TELL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But seriously, if HD says straight 60 is acceptable at over 60* and 20W-50 over 40*, there's no way in hell 20W-60 isn't going to be good for 50* and up ( my summer riding weather.) So I'll run it next change and see how it works in my bike. Spring and Fall back to Mobil 20W-50 and Winter 15W-50 Automotive ( did that last year and very pleased BTW.)
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
I run the Redline 20-60 year round in my Tri-Glide here in SW Florida due to the higher ambient air temps. Even with my Jagg 10 row fan assisted oil cooler I never see over 230 on my temp guage. I'm also running 255 cams and have the Baisley spring in my oil pump as you do. Go for it, it will not cause a problem.
I could maybe go 3 1/2 turns with my pushrods which are at 3 now but at this time, I'll hear my ear plugs and keep the satellite radion cranked up......
Maybe the 20/60W oil will dampen some of the sounds but I doubt it.....I'll report back after my trip to Maggie Valley in July.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Where our Gov. makes our license plates
So I just bought a 2000 RK all stock with 18k miles, has some aftermarket no name slip-on's. It has been driving me crazy with this ticking noise but after reading this its normal??? I also have a popping out of my exhaust but I am still reading up on that...
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 9
From: North Carolina
I am used to the noises a Harley motor makes...but for some reason the one that really bothers me is comming from behind. It usually makes sounds like, slow down, where we going, where does that road go, I gotta pee.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,922
Likes: 265
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
I got a question for everyone. How many people have top end noise with a stock motor, vs motors with adjustable push rods and cam work? The common thought seems to lean towards oil being the only thing that will quit the motors noise. I've owned 2 Evos and 2 Twin cam bikes. All had the batwing fairings and the amount of motor noise was different on all of them. When cold all seemed relatively quiet, but as the got hot the noise started. What I think is the caused is , different metals expand at different rates. The cylinders are made from different materials then the cams and pushrods,gears and chains, valve springs and other parts found in the heads. Some parts don't "stretch" as much as others and become looser fitting, then when cold. Thicker oil might mask the sound, but doesn't actually correct the cause. Some guys say they tighten their push rods a hair more then the instructions say to, and there noise level is lower. Guys with stock push rods don't have that option and are forced to live with the noise. Someone mentioned Pan head motor noise earlier, my '48 pan had what looked to be felt pads glued to the inside of the valve cover. I'm thinking this was 1) to allow more oil to drip on the rocker arms and 2) muffle some of the noise. Just another view on this topic.,,
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
I can get past the racket myself since I "think" the bike is running great. It's the people saying what's wrong with your motor, sounds like it's coming apart.
It has to do with the SE255 cams, adjustable pushrods, new lifters, dual piston cam tensioners and the Baisley Oil Spring because I didn't have the racket prior to the install. Pushrods are adjusted to 3 full turns and not the HD specs of 2 1/2. I could go 2 more flats but I don't see that helping the situation much.
Yep, pretty quite at start up but when the motor heats up, it's sounds like chit with the Mobil 1 20/50.
Doing the Red Line 20/60W oil this week and will see if that helps any. If not, as long as the bike is running fine, I'm just going to ride it and say to people, IT"S NORMAL.......
It has to do with the SE255 cams, adjustable pushrods, new lifters, dual piston cam tensioners and the Baisley Oil Spring because I didn't have the racket prior to the install. Pushrods are adjusted to 3 full turns and not the HD specs of 2 1/2. I could go 2 more flats but I don't see that helping the situation much.
Yep, pretty quite at start up but when the motor heats up, it's sounds like chit with the Mobil 1 20/50.
Doing the Red Line 20/60W oil this week and will see if that helps any. If not, as long as the bike is running fine, I'm just going to ride it and say to people, IT"S NORMAL.......
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: omaha ne
First off let me say I love this forum, read most everyday and alot of valuble info here..but..I find when I go out to ride I'm always looking for strange sounds or something not quite right or things that might fall off...then after about 20 minutes I think screw it, ride and be happy, clear your mind, then if it breaks get on the forum and deal with it...I felt from what I read I was riding a time-bomb but not so much anymore cuz I use the search and read positive things too...by the way I ride a bone stock 06' ultra, 8 deg inj. and all, no problems and I'm learning not to look for any and that's not easy, anyway enjoy all input here and will not give up the addiction...