Ticking noise in the front end

[harley_nova]

Hi, I am new to this forum, so be gentle with me.  lol

I have a 2008 FXSTC. Lately I have been having ticking noises coming from the front end of the bike when I honk on the throttle in 4th, 5th & 6th gears.
When the throttle opens up, I hear tick tick then it goes away. Almost a tinny sound.
It only happens when the bike is hot.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what this could be?

Thanks,

[Papamte]

  If it sounds more like a metallic clinking sound, it's probably pinging (detonation). The ECM can usually handle small amounts of this. If it is severe, you can do damage to your motor eventually. These motors run lean and hot weather only aggravates this condition. Make sure your running quality high test fuel (91-93 octane) and look for stations that have three hoses to make sure you only get high octane fuel. Try to stay with the Harley plugs to make sure the ion sensing works as it should. Other than that, you may have to go an aftermarket fuel management device that also allows for timing correction (Power Commander, SERT, SEST, etc.).

[harley_nova]

Hey, I think I am going to do that. I'm looking at putting on a SE Stage 1 air filter and going to go with the  SE Pro Super Tuner. A buddy of mine has the SE PST and he said it make a world of difference. He is quite happy with it. I also like the idea of not having an extra component on the bike.
Getting all of this will allow me to put my Rush 2" Slip Ons back on, but now I am looking at the D&D FatCat 2-1..... See what the bank says.

Thats all I ever use is the 91, but I didn't think to look for pumps with 3 hoses. That makes perfect sense. There would always be some sh*tty gas looming in the hoses with just one. Thanks

Ryan

[emece]

Same here (Spain) with almost all 2008/2009 TC96 engines in summer (above 100* F). SEST does not report pinging & neither higher octan fuel nor remapping fix it. People here think that, when hot, rocker arms endplay causes rocker arms to hit ("axially") their supports. Official dealers say "don't worry" (in fact, no matter what, they always say "don't worry").

Hope this helps, best regards.