Strange Sound, Best Guess

I'm confused.......
You get a tapping noise....
HD changes the lifters...
Still same noise...
Now one of the new lifters is bad

Questions, questions, questions.......

I know what you mean, perhaps they missed the ring that came loose or just did one lifter? I'll know in a day or two when they finish, maybe

HD said it was done today and needs to be road tested. They plan to really give it a test and not once around the block since there was a lot done.

It may take an extra day because I'm trying to switch to smoked lenses while the bike is there, but of course, there are complications. I ordered the Kuryakin lay down smoked LED tail light, but I didn't like the look of their LED rear turn signals. They have only a few big bead-like bulbs. I saw an almost new Sportster that was traded in on the sales floor and it had the same brake light I ordered, but a different brand LED turn signals that looked great, with at least 40 smaller, tightly packed bulbs and were a much better match for the laydown tail light. I asked if anyone knew who made them, no one was sure, Now I'm hoping they were a Harley part that was made in 07 or 08 and is something I can get.. I'll ask a favor of the dealer if they're not available anymore. No reason the can't be taken off that bike, put on mine and then put mine on the Sportster, unless they just don't want to do it.

I'll report on my findings when I pick my bike up.

That the thing, the Kuryakin LED's have around 8 or 10 large size beady LED bulbs that look cheap and ugly when compared to the 40 smaller LED's in the same size turn signal that was on the trade in Sportster that was on the HD sales floor. That's why I'm stuck on finding the same ones, they just look so much better and I was lucky enough to see them first hand, instead of in a catalogue or on the internet.

Thanks HRK. That's closer, but not quite the same as the ones I saw. There's one salesman at HD who should know which brand the ones I've seen are. He's away on vacation, so I probably won't be able to find out more about them until he returns next week. The other guys there are clueless, or just don't want to be bothered, I can't tell. When I pick up my bike tomorrow, I'l try taking a photo of them and then uploading it here.

Well, HD replaced the head and the noise is gone. It seems the head wasn't machined perfectly and the hole was too wide. It still doesn't sound as quiet as it did and I'm wondering if the same thing will happen to the other head. The difference might be the change from dino to to synthetics in the primary and gears. I had changed to Redline synthetic V-Twin in the engine also, but when they were looking for the noise the engine was switched back to dino at HD's suggestion and I couldn't say no at that time because I was being given warranty service.

I found out the replacement LED is from Drag Specialties and will need to be soldered in. I ordered a set and am waiting them to arrive. Here's a shot of the LED turn signal, if you can, note how many little LED bulbs. I counted 20 on the outer rim alone, so there must be at least 35-40.

What am I going to do with you Hellboy? - if I could reach as far as where you are, I'd "smack you upside the head" :roflmao:

Got a problem with the machining on 1 cylinder head? Betcha got a problem with the other. Valve guides in the heads being off is a known problem. Pistons & cylinders not being properly matched is too, although that's rare from the factory. And no, switching oils didn't cause the problem(s) - unless the wrong grade was used for the application.

And you don't solder electrical connections on something that moves - like a Harley when it's running. You use connections like the U.S. military, with the proper tools, some of which are quite expensive - depends on the connection. Ask anyone who has done or does electrical work in the miltary because it is (was) their job to make that airplane fly, that ship move, etc. & see what they tell you about soldered connections.

Funny you should mention that Art. I was at my HD dealer today having the Vance & Hines Quiet baffles removed and putting the originals back in. I loved the lower volume of the Quiet Baffles, but hated the performance loss. While there, I asked the new service manager about the Valve guides and he said not to worry, mine is only the second time he's ever seen that happen. Yeah, right, as if it's not logical to assume if one head's bad, the other one might go bad too. That leaves me with the choice to buy a new service warranty from HD or take the chance without one. I'm tight for money now and wish I had more confidence in the stability of my ride.