Gotta new noise

[royd]

Hi all,

I get a pretty bad noise that sounds like it's coming from the front jug or crankshaft. It's worse when the bike is cold and for the first 15 minutes riding. Then it seems to go away, but comes back sporadically. Almost sounds like a loose nut floppin around in there.

I don't know a lot about the internal workings of the engine (88 heritage softail), but I've been pouring through my manual and am wondering if it could be trouble with oil pressure or flow.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

RD

[junior]

that year/model i'd suspect a lifter roller going bad....

is the noise about half engine speed?

j

[royd]

Hey Junior,

It's loudest when I'm going slow or sitting at a light idleing. What's the fix for a lifter roller?

[springer-]

First see if it has adjustable pushrods. If it does not, then you either have to remove the rocker boxes and rockers to remove the pushrods OR cut them out with bolt cutters and replace them later with adjustables.

Remove the front exhaust pipe and then remove the lifter blocks being careful not to drop the lifters out of them. Then remove the cam cover, breather and cam.

Now everything needs to be inspected for damage and wear. If you have a bad lifter roller there is a good chance the cam had damage too.

Some little details I left out would be the possibility that the tanks may need to come off, the air filter and possibly the carb as well. Getting a FACTORY service manual if you don't have one would be a requirement IMO.

[Relic]

First, STOP RIDIN' IT. If the tappet is gone, it could tear up the inner cam bearing and screw up the case.

[royd]

Thanks Relic and Springer. I was thinking this was a "get it done" type situation. I know HD's make noises, but this one sounds like I should pay attention.

RD

[Wide]

Like they said

Pull it apart & check it our

Mic them real good & check the bores with a puff gauge

[webscrounger]

Same problem. I've rebuilt the entire cam chest with all new parts only to have the same issue reoccur. Front exhaust valve side on mine, only after the bike is warmed up. Sounds like someone banging on the head with a ball peen hammer.

A local builder/racer recently told me he's seen this a lot. In his experience, the issues are not in the lower end (cam case) but in clearances having to do with the front rocker shaft and alignment bolts, or rocker end play, or rocker clearance with the rocker box, or improperly torqued top end bolts, or a combination of any or all the above.

I am reluctantly going to rebuild the front head. Look for wear or signs of hitting or rubbing on all the parts. If this does not work, then screw the TC, it's been plagued with problems since I bought it in 99. I'm so pissed at this thing I may not buy a new HD ever again.

[medic_245]

just fixed a 91 evo where the lifter roller bearing went bad causing the lifter to turn sideways on the cam. had to replace the lifters, cam and lifter boxes

[webscrounger]

Well, the noise in my 99 FXDL noise is fixed. See topic "TC-88/95 Top end noise - My Fix - FYI". Maybe it can help some else, if the problem is the same.
http://harleychatgroup.com/index.php...wtopic&t=32910