HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => Shovel Head => Topic started by: Molly on March 03, 2020, 01:25:50 PM

Title: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: Molly on March 03, 2020, 01:25:50 PM
Hi guys.

Sorry to hog the threads. Just want to know what I'm looking for before I begin a tear-down.

Found this video of an Evo making the exact same noise as my Shovel. You'll hear a noise rise and fall, rise and fall. This bike sounds very much like mine does when hot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP1ZYjpyvas

Various responses below the video itself but I thought that by posting it here I might get some insight from Shovel owners.

Thank you in advance.
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: kd on March 03, 2020, 07:43:42 PM
Sounds like rods to me.  BTW That 98 95th Anniversary  evo vintage was known for tight rods and it led to what you hear.
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: Burnout on March 03, 2020, 08:49:32 PM
Check oil filter for metal?
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: Ohio HD on March 04, 2020, 02:25:38 AM
And before you get that far, you'll see the lifters first. Check the rollers for damage.
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: david lee on March 04, 2020, 11:28:53 AM
Quote from: Ohio HD on March 04, 2020, 02:25:38 AM
And before you get that far, you'll see the lifters first. Check the rollers for damage.
that was my first thought too
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: Reddog74usa on March 04, 2020, 08:53:34 PM
With a noise like that you really don't need to diagnose it as your going to tear it down anyway. I agree that it is most likely rods as those years were known for it but it wouldn't hurt to check the compensator nut. Either way it's fun time....
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: hbkeith on March 05, 2020, 05:33:32 AM
Quote from: Reddog74usa on March 04, 2020, 08:53:34 PM
With a noise like that you really don't need to diagnose it as your going to tear it down anyway. I agree that it is most likely rods as those years were known for it but it wouldn't hurt to check the compensator nut. Either way it's fun time....
that kinda sounds like the noice my FXR was making last fall till I put Compensator Eliminater on it
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: Burnout on March 05, 2020, 08:26:45 AM
Check the oil filter before tearing down.
If it is an internal problem you will see it in the filter.
If it is a primary problem you should not see any metal in the filter.
(Unless it has run so long loose, it has ate up the double timken)
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: JW113 on March 05, 2020, 01:53:38 PM
Not that I'm the forum police or anything, but did you mean to post this in the Shovelhead forum? Might get more opinion in the Evo forum. Just sayin'!

-JW
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: Hossamania on March 05, 2020, 01:58:25 PM
Quote from: JW113 on March 05, 2020, 01:53:38 PM
Not that I'm the forum police or anything, but did you mean to post this in the Shovelhead forum? Might get more opinion in the Evo forum. Just sayin'!

-JW

I was confused too, I think the video is just used as an example of the noise on his Shovel, not his actual bike. Most of the suggestions, compensator, tight rods for that year, etc., don't apply to the actual problem being asked about.
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: JW113 on March 05, 2020, 01:59:04 PM
By the way, that doesn't sound like tappet noise to me. Valve train noise tends to be more of a high pitch "tick tick tick...". That sounds like a low pitched "knock knock knock...", and strange how it comes and goes with a rhythmic repetition. I'd lean to something int the bottom end.

-JW
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: JW113 on March 05, 2020, 02:00:27 PM
Doh! Stupid me, did not read his post so closely.
:kick:

Sorry!

-JW
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: kd on March 05, 2020, 03:27:05 PM
Quote from: Hossamania on March 05, 2020, 01:58:25 PM
Quote from: JW113 on March 05, 2020, 01:53:38 PM
Not that I'm the forum police or anything, but did you mean to post this in the Shovelhead forum? Might get more opinion in the Evo forum. Just sayin'!

-JW

I was confused too, I think the video is just used as an example of the noise on his Shovel, not his actual bike. Most of the suggestions, compensator, tight rods for that year, etc., don't apply to the actual problem being asked about.

When I responded about the tight rods I was using it as an example also.  I have 2 98's and both were afflicted with the problem.  My comment was meant to mean the video is likely playing the tune a rod set plays because those 98's often did that. They had the good comp and as someone said, it would have to be loose.  If it was loose then you would feel it on take off or decel. I think the on again, off again cadence is a mild hunting issue that isn't quite audible as an rpm change except when the fuel hits it to speed it up the load on the rod makes the noise.  A fine tachometer measurement may show that there is a slight rpm change going up when the lnock sounds off too.
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: hbkeith on March 07, 2020, 02:54:06 AM
Quote from: Hossamania on March 05, 2020, 01:58:25 PM
Quote from: JW113 on March 05, 2020, 01:53:38 PM
Not that I'm the forum police or anything, but did you mean to post this in the Shovelhead forum? Might get more opinion in the Evo forum. Just sayin'!

-JW

I was confused too, I think the video is just used as an example of the noise on his Shovel, not his actual bike. Most of the suggestions, compensator, tight rods for that year, etc., don't apply to the actual problem being asked about.
Problem being asked about is A noise
Title: Re: This is the noise I'm trying to diagnose
Post by: thumper 823 on April 16, 2020, 11:22:22 PM
weird heads for shovelheads .......but I would guess in the valve train somewhere in there.
It should be rather simple to find.