2007 TC96 noise
2007 TC96 noise
Bike: 2007 Heritage Softail, TC96, completely stock
Mileage: Just over 13000
Lubricant: Amsoil MCV, all three since 5000 miles
Riding pattern: ~200 m/wk
Problem: Engine noise with rapping vibration
Conditions: Engine well warmed up, engine at speed well above lugging, under load
At about 11000 miles I started to notice a growling, "cluppering" type noise in the engine when it is completely warmed up. This symptom occurs when I'm near shifting speed and then twist the throttle some more, or I'm going up a grade at a fairly high rpm. Whatever puts more load on the engine seems to induce the symptom. I don't have a tach but I am well above lugging speed.
Lately the noise is much worse, doesn’t require being warmed up, though it is still more prominent at higher temperatures, and I can feel it in my foot boards. It is as thought there is something loose and knocking around in the engine. It feels like the front cylinder head is loose and the cylinder is moving up and down half an inch, banging on both ends. ‘Course, that is impossible, just a description. Another description would be a wobbling wheel banging on the inside of the case as it nutates.
If I’m on a level surface or going down a grade I hear a steady but lighter knock, like a rod bearing. I’m not sure if this is related to the main problem, or is a problem at all.
I took the bike to my local dealer and was surprised when they claimed that the engine sounded normal to them. I made sure that the mechanic rode the bike. I was told that the service manager rode it also.
I have done exhaustive searching on the internet for anyone else with a similar problem but found that most noise problems experienced by others were opposite from mine in that most of them were apparent when the bike was cold and went away when warm.
Thanks for any info.
Tom_07Heritage
Mileage: Just over 13000
Lubricant: Amsoil MCV, all three since 5000 miles
Riding pattern: ~200 m/wk
Problem: Engine noise with rapping vibration
Conditions: Engine well warmed up, engine at speed well above lugging, under load
At about 11000 miles I started to notice a growling, "cluppering" type noise in the engine when it is completely warmed up. This symptom occurs when I'm near shifting speed and then twist the throttle some more, or I'm going up a grade at a fairly high rpm. Whatever puts more load on the engine seems to induce the symptom. I don't have a tach but I am well above lugging speed.
Lately the noise is much worse, doesn’t require being warmed up, though it is still more prominent at higher temperatures, and I can feel it in my foot boards. It is as thought there is something loose and knocking around in the engine. It feels like the front cylinder head is loose and the cylinder is moving up and down half an inch, banging on both ends. ‘Course, that is impossible, just a description. Another description would be a wobbling wheel banging on the inside of the case as it nutates.
If I’m on a level surface or going down a grade I hear a steady but lighter knock, like a rod bearing. I’m not sure if this is related to the main problem, or is a problem at all.
I took the bike to my local dealer and was surprised when they claimed that the engine sounded normal to them. I made sure that the mechanic rode the bike. I was told that the service manager rode it also.
I have done exhaustive searching on the internet for anyone else with a similar problem but found that most noise problems experienced by others were opposite from mine in that most of them were apparent when the bike was cold and went away when warm.
Thanks for any info.
Tom_07Heritage
Last edited by Tom_07Heritage; Feb 7, 2009 at 10:12 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 909
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
I say warm it up yourself and ride to the dealership with a friend and have the service manager ride your bike while you ride next to him on your friends bike. Point out what it is you are hearing and if he still says that is normal, then you pipes just aren't loud enough. I have a couple of friends with the new 96 and I will say that they are mechanically loud.
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