Strange Sound, Best Guess

Damn, HD changed the lifters this morning and the sound is still there. I hate that unnecessary work was done. It just gives them a chance to mess something else up or scratch the paint. They recommended I try going back to dino oil in the engine. I don't think that's causing the noise, but I agreed, since that's the best answer they came up with. I'll see if that works by tomorrow.

Update: just spoke the the mechanic at HD. They changed the oil and filter, sound is still there. Now he's got to look at the engine. I guess I won't be riding this 58 degree Saturday. Bummed.

Funny, I never thought it was lifters or the synthetic, but I had to go with their recommendations because I have 3 weeks left on my warranty, so at least the lifters annd engine work are on their dime. I'm still kind of pissed that I now have a new part (lifters) that I didn't need. Y'now, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I guess HD's motto is "if it ain't broke, fix it anyway, just in case and since we really are occasionally clueless, this is the only way we'll ever figure it out."

Glad you can do some of your own work. I try to support my dealership when I can. Don't mind paying for things like an oil change or clutch adjustment, but this "can't find the noise thing" would have cost a fortune if I didn't have my warranty, so now I'm thinking twice about letting it expire.

I have friends who've had 15 Harley's and never got a warranty and are way ahead if you compare repairs to warranty costs.

A straight-weight conventional like the Valvoline Racing Oil (SAE 50 & 60) I use in some applications will muffle mechanical sounds - but will not fix a mechancial problem.

Nothing wrong with that 'cause the stock lifters on newer bikes ain't that great & what I've been seeing is about 25,000 miles before they need to be replaced. Granted, people get a lot more miles out of 'em than that, but ticking lifters that won't pump up right in the 25,000 mile range is far too common to be an anomaly.

Only time I go to a dealer is for a part I need right away that they've got - wouldn't even consider having service work done @ any in this area & there are 5. If I can't do it myself, there are 3 area independent shops who can - and for a LOT less than a dealer charges. Yes, when there's a warranty involved you need to go to a dealer, but in your case Hellboy, I believe I'd go to a different one - you are not limited to any particular dealer.

I always expect the worst when I hear a noise. But I'm goin' with hotroadking on checking everything screwed down. My noise was a loose heat shield clamp and one where the spotweld broke.
Good Luck and Warm Up!

Thanks guys. Art, when they replace the lifters, wouldn't they use the same parts as stock, or are the replacements an upgraded part? I didn't have a chance to find out about those kind of details yet. I may be way ahead of things here, and in fact, it may turn out to be something loose, but what if they had to replace the engine? Would that be a good thing or just a big drag? There's 4,200 miles on it now. I'm asking because I imagine it eventually becomes cheaper to replace an engine than to keep looking for a noise they can't find.

Oh, they'll go back with stock parts. But that should give you @ least 25,000 miles of no lifter problems & probably a lot more the way you pay attention to it.

I would be interested in hearing the details & it's VERY rare that a whole engine needs to be replaced, but I have seen it with a 1200 Sportster. It really didn't need to be, but there were enough minor problems with individual issues that the factory said to heck with it & sent the dealer a whole new engine. One of those issues was bad valve guides & I've seen heads replaced after the warranty ran out because H-D became aware of that problem. They wouldn't replace 'em unless you made the dealer aware of the problem though & it's a very good idea to get all the technical service bulletins that apply to your bike.

Thanks Art. I'll follow up here as soon as I know what's up.

Well, Harley Davidson's changed the lifters, still has the annoying sound, sort of insisted I try going back to dino oil in the engine, I agreed only because I don't want any conflict regarding a warranty repair, and it still has the sound. They sent an email to headquarters, checking for any service bulletins, and basically did nothing for 3 days, I complained to the owner, they should have word in a day or two, so now they're going to look inside the engine. Obviously, they've gone fishing.

Definitely. I'll post when I Know more.

I didn't read everything in this thread but I didn't see anyone talk about cleaning the lifter oil screen. Don't TCs have lifter oil screens like the EVOs. Might be something to check. But I'm sure the HD mechinic checked it


Also, I would take everything off that is non-essential like heat sheilds, bags, horns, etc. and go riding to eliminate those things as causing the noise.

Also, check all your spokes for tightness if you have spoke wheels.

Will do on the spokes, thanks. It's at HD now and I'm waiting to see what they say. I gave them today without calling, hopefully they've figure it out by the time I call tomorrow.

I called the dealer and they found the problem. I will get a closer look at it all when I go to get the bike back. It was a little bit confusing to me because I was distracted when I called and I'm still learning my way around the bike. There was a ring that had come off, something about the size of a safety pin. I think it was part of the lifters, but I'm not sure. They said they will have to replace the "head". Not sure what that means exactly, still being somewhat new to motorcycling. They've ordered the part for one day shipping and should have it done by Thursday or Friday.

Will do, thanks guys. One thing, how might that ring come loose?