Twin cams normally noisy?
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 2
From: Lancaster, PA
RE: Twin cams normally noisy?
My top end sounds like the rockers are loose and need tightened up. Just like back in my gear head days when you would have a nut come loose on one of your rocker armsand tap, tick, cling and clapaway till you pulled the valve cover off and tightened it, as the oil burned off your headers. HD wrench said it's normal. 
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: Twin cams normally noisy?
ORIGINAL: tom1340
The engine on my new 2005 EG Classic initially rattled above 2500 rpm. I thought it might be an octane ping, dealer thought bad wrist pin or piston slap. Top end tear down did not solve problem. Three months later, my bike has total of 6700 miles and the noise has changed from a consistent low level rattle to an inconsistent but occassionally prominent knock starting at 2200 rpm. Factory rep has certified it as normal. I have two evos, both with windshields, one with 75,000 miles. Both sound better than my new twin cam. Dealer now tells me that twin cams are noisy and I am hearing normal valve train noise.
Anyone with evo and twin cam experience want to comment? The twin cams I demo-ed at Strugis were quiet and tight. But I realy have little experience with these engines.
Thanks
The engine on my new 2005 EG Classic initially rattled above 2500 rpm. I thought it might be an octane ping, dealer thought bad wrist pin or piston slap. Top end tear down did not solve problem. Three months later, my bike has total of 6700 miles and the noise has changed from a consistent low level rattle to an inconsistent but occassionally prominent knock starting at 2200 rpm. Factory rep has certified it as normal. I have two evos, both with windshields, one with 75,000 miles. Both sound better than my new twin cam. Dealer now tells me that twin cams are noisy and I am hearing normal valve train noise.
Anyone with evo and twin cam experience want to comment? The twin cams I demo-ed at Strugis were quiet and tight. But I realy have little experience with these engines.
Thanks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
RE: Twin cams normally noisy?
I'd be willing to bet the dealer never saw that police bike. Our department maintains the Harleys themselves. I suspect that since they are turned every year, they do little more than change the oil.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Twin cams normally noisy?
Really don't have much more to add to those above.
But I had a 98 fltri evo and two 01 tc88 (EGC andPolice RK)
No appreciative valve train clatter in either.
The 01 police RK had over 50,000 on it never checked the
tensioners (probably should have) and never had a noise problem.
My 06 EGC has 12000 on it and so far no engine/valve train noise.
If you go to an INDY be sure everything is documented you may need it.
But in the mean time call and write this lady and get a reference number.
Tell her all the problems and the dealers refusal to investigate the matter.
Ms. Lori Oelhafen
3700 juneau Ave
Milwaukee, Wi. 53201
414-343-8718
But I had a 98 fltri evo and two 01 tc88 (EGC andPolice RK)
No appreciative valve train clatter in either.
The 01 police RK had over 50,000 on it never checked the
tensioners (probably should have) and never had a noise problem.
My 06 EGC has 12000 on it and so far no engine/valve train noise.
If you go to an INDY be sure everything is documented you may need it.
But in the mean time call and write this lady and get a reference number.
Tell her all the problems and the dealers refusal to investigate the matter.
Ms. Lori Oelhafen
3700 juneau Ave
Milwaukee, Wi. 53201
414-343-8718
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,301
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,663
Likes: 7
From: Northeast Ohio
RE: Twin cams normally noisy?
Hope all goes good with your decision and repairs. The TC88 and 96 do have apreciable valve train noise, and anytime you go to bigger cams, with higer lift, the ramps are quicker, and that means that everything- lifters, pushrods rockers, valves are all moving quicker in each direction which equals the potential for more noise. Built this engine with Woods .650 lift cams and top end is quite noisy, but so was it when it was stock, but more so now. On my 03 RKC, there was a "sweet spot" at about 2400 rpm where everything quieted down, and also a point, about 2700 rpm where the valve clatter was louder than at any other RPM. Just nature of the beasts, lots of mechanical moving parts.
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