HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => Shovel Head => Topic started by: Molly on January 24, 2020, 09:20:25 PM

Title: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Molly on January 24, 2020, 09:20:25 PM
Got my old Shovel back from the guy I sold it to about four or five years ago. It's only done about 450 miles since I last had it. Wanted to ask you guys to have a quick listen. I think there's a noise that's maybe the compensator - maybe not. Hard to tell to my 'Twin Cam accustomed' ears.

Thanks in advance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3xmj3btNDc
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: capn on January 25, 2020, 03:12:00 AM
For sure you got a noise there.Almost sounds like valve train.Have you checked lifter adjustment?
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: bump on January 25, 2020, 03:32:02 AM
Sounds like valve train noise, lifters or rocker arm end clearance. Does the noise go away after the
running about 2000 rpm then dropping to idle. If so check lifters. I have seen a loose primary chain cause a sound like that.
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Molly on January 25, 2020, 07:25:06 AM
Thanks guys. I'm in the middle of preparing for a house move so can't tear into it for a couple of weeks but I'll let you know what I find.
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: JW113 on January 25, 2020, 09:42:14 AM
Another vote for stuck tappet. If it really has been sitting for 5 years, probably start with pulling the tappets out, cleaning the hell out of them, reassemble and adjust.

-JW
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: kd on January 25, 2020, 09:58:07 AM
 :agree:   That's a good place to start after insuring there isn't any of the typical loose trim rattles going on.
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Molly on January 25, 2020, 04:26:51 PM
Thanks again. Oh, there are lots of trim rattles. Every exhaust shield for starters... As I said, got to get my house move done but one a much bigger garage space waiting for me. :-)

Rear wheel bearings need replacing. Anybody got specs  at all? Thanks.

I really need a manual and parts book I think.
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: FSG on January 25, 2020, 05:09:03 PM
450 in 5 yrs ..........  yes I'd just clean the tappets

need specs ........  I've had surgery and lenses in both eyes so let me take a look  :SM:
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Molly on January 25, 2020, 06:10:16 PM
LOL. I'm as blind as a bat m'self.

My dad used to say that letting a car stand long-term did more damage than actually using it. Might be some truth to that. Certainly for some parts.

Belt was so tight I could barely move the bike. Crazy tight. I'll say this for it though. The gearbox is far better than the one in my '08 RK. Smooth and quiet changes. :-)
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: kd on January 25, 2020, 06:41:32 PM
Quote from: Molly on January 25, 2020, 06:10:16 PM
LOL. I'm as blind as a bat m'self.

My dad used to say that letting a car stand long-term did more damage than actually using it. Might be some truth to that. Certainly for some parts.

Belt was so tight I could barely move the bike. Crazy tight. I'll say this for it though. The gearbox is far better than the one in my '08 RK. Smooth and quiet changes. :-)

You might be lucky there was only 450 Miles put on it like that
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: crock on January 26, 2020, 06:22:03 AM
Quote from: Molly on January 25, 2020, 04:26:51 PM
Thanks again. Oh, there are lots of trim rattles. Every exhaust shield for starters... As I said, got to get my house move done but one a much bigger garage space waiting for me. :-)

Rear wheel bearings need replacing. Anybody got specs  at all? Thanks.

I really need a manual and parts book I think.

They are both available on this site. I don't remember where I found em but they are here
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Lowrider! on January 26, 2020, 07:14:22 PM
I'd pop that outer primary off and inspect everything in there, yes there is some valve train noise. Does it have fresh engine oil?
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Molly on January 26, 2020, 08:58:31 PM
Quote from: crock on January 26, 2020, 06:22:03 AM
Quote from: Molly on January 25, 2020, 04:26:51 PM
Thanks again. Oh, there are lots of trim rattles. Every exhaust shield for starters... As I said, got to get my house move done but one a much bigger garage space waiting for me. :-)

Rear wheel bearings need replacing. Anybody got specs  at all? Thanks.

I really need a manual and parts book I think.

They are both available on this site. I don't remember where I found em but they are here

Thanks! I'll start hunting around the forum.


Quote from: Lowrider! on January 26, 2020, 07:14:22 PM
I'd pop that outer primary off and inspect everything in there, yes there is some valve train noise. Does it have fresh engine oil?

I've just done a five quart change actually. Got to source a drop-in filter locally (by which I mean within a 100k radius - I live in the middle of nowhere).

I emptied and thoroughly cleaned-out the oil tank. Must've ran an extra two quarts through too. Oil was filthy. Probably the stuff I put in it about five years ago.

I'm itching to get this thing on the road... :-)
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: JW113 on January 27, 2020, 09:25:58 AM
Quote from: Molly on January 26, 2020, 08:58:31 PM
I emptied and thoroughly cleaned-out the oil tank. Must've ran an extra two quarts through too. Oil was filthy. Probably the stuff I put in it about five years ago.

And right there my friend is way you probably want to take a look those tappets. They don't play well with filth.

Good luck with it!

-JW
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Molly on January 28, 2020, 11:32:50 PM
Getting to know it a bit more each day. Have the Clymer manual on the way but still haven't sourced a Factory one.

Checked the primary chain tension today and it was very tight. Not sure the clutch is original so took a pic. Oil was very low. Need to seal the primary maybe. Just reading-up on that.

Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: crock on January 29, 2020, 04:32:28 AM
Quote from: Molly on January 28, 2020, 11:32:50 PM
Getting to know it a bit more each day. Have the Clymer manual on the way but still haven't sourced a Factory one.

Checked the primary chain tension today and it was very tight. Not sure the clutch is original so took a pic. Oil was very low. Need to seal the primary maybe. Just reading-up on that.

About where I run mine
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: JW113 on January 29, 2020, 10:08:35 AM
Ditto here. Just touching the bottom of the clutch basket. Just need 8oz or so to keep the chain wet, no more.

-JW
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Molly on January 29, 2020, 08:28:45 PM
Thanks guys.

I'll isolate the primary once I feel confident I understand exactly what I have to do.

I enjoy learning all this stuff but it's definitely a case of the more I learn the less I know.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge guys.
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: crock on January 30, 2020, 04:27:56 AM
Quote from: Molly on January 29, 2020, 08:28:45 PM
Thanks guys.

I'll isolate the primary once I feel confident I understand exactly what I have to do.

I enjoy learning all this stuff but it's definitely a case of the more I learn the less I know.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge guys.

If your retaining that much oil it's probably already done
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Molly on January 30, 2020, 09:35:04 PM
No. I'd added a bit before taking that picture. The oil lines are still connected but not for long... :-)

Did a bit more digging today. Learned that it's got an Ultima digital ignition system (#53-644). Might be one of the reasons it starts much more easily than when I last owned it.

Need to source a riser cover. Guessing that'll have to come from the States as it'd be near impossible to find here in New Zealand.
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: JW113 on January 31, 2020, 10:10:10 AM
What is a riser cover? Sorry, not familiar with that term.

-JW
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Molly on January 31, 2020, 01:33:38 PM
Quote from: JW113 on January 31, 2020, 10:10:10 AM
What is a riser cover? Sorry, not familiar with that term.

-JW

I may have the wrong term, sorry. The aluminium cover for the handlebar clamps. Mine's had the clamps swapped-out for more modern, Fat Boy style clamps and in the process the cover has been separated from the bike (probably sitting on a shelf in a shed somewhere in New Zealand). I'd like to return the clamps to stock and find another cover.
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: david lee on January 31, 2020, 03:26:38 PM
Quote from: FSG on January 25, 2020, 05:09:03 PM
450 in 5 yrs ..........  yes I'd just clean the tappets

need specs ........  I've had surgery and lenses in both eyes so let me take a look  :SM:
good advice fsg
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: crock on February 01, 2020, 04:48:39 AM
Quote from: Molly on January 30, 2020, 09:35:04 PM
No. I'd added a bit before taking that picture. The oil lines are still connected but not for long... :-)

Did a bit more digging today. Learned that it's got an Ultima digital ignition system (#53-644). Might be one of the reasons it starts much more easily than when I last owned it.

Need to source a riser cover. Guessing that'll have to come from the States as it'd be near impossible to find here in New Zealand.

www.jpcycles.com/product/5000930/v-twin-manufacturing-handlebar-clamp-cover?redirectedKeyword=5000930&totalResult=1
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: hbkeith on February 01, 2020, 10:04:06 AM
You have 1 piece handlebars ? may be why has different risers , if thats a lifter noise you have a serious bad lifter , sounds like my compensator did on my FXR
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Molly on February 01, 2020, 10:14:52 AM
Thanks for the link and further thoughts on the noise.

I've been all over it with a stethoscope and the valve train seems ok. Got the carb stripped for cleaning today so once it's back together I'll maybe do a better video.

Looks so much better without that huge air cleaner.
Title: Re: Have a quick listen to my Shovel?
Post by: Molly on February 07, 2020, 10:54:36 AM
Needed to get my brake light working for the annual test. Wouldn't work off either lever so looked for a common fault starting with a simple bulb swap. Who'd have thought it. Turned out to be separate faults. Broken wire on the rear and a spade that'd become disconnected behind the headlight. Also fixed the carb's fuel leak so think it's ready for the test.

Little victories like this aren't much but I find them really rewarding.