05 sporty 1200 engine noise?

Hey guys,

So uhh, I'm hearing a strange engine noise from my 05 sporty 1200c.

It wasn't there last week, but I haven't really changed anything about the bike, and didn't beat on it or anything, just riding regularly.

This is my first Harley, but not my first motorcycle, and I know that these bikes are a little on the loud side, but I don't think i'm supposed to not hear a noise one week, and then hear one the next. (...duh)

My regular mechanic told me to stop being a pussy and just ride the thing. He said Harley's are noisy, and that this noise isn't something to be concerned about. Then again, he's also a very old school dude who's used to dealing with old irons and shovels and shit...

So I decided against my better judgment and took it to my local neighborhood stealer. The kids there wasn't certified, said he heard some noise coming from the primary case (even thought it's not) and said it could be a bunch of different things.

So at the end of the day, I decided to come home, take a video of it, and post it on the internets to let you all decide.

is this sound normal? listen closely.. it's like, a metallic ticking... it's there at idle, and then increases as throttle is applied.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN3I9...ature=youtu.be

edit: if anyone was wondering, it's coming from the very top of the front cylinder.

my sporty sounds like a sewing machine too. they're damn noisy. it's an 05 as well.

sounds normal.

Originally Posted by bigdaddy

my sporty sounds like a sewing machine too. they're damn noisy. it's an 05 as well.

well it honestly didn't sound like it last week. i'm all banged outta shape about the possibility of a collapsed lifter or some shit.

It's probably fine. Once you hear something you will start focusing on it. Look at it this way. Just run it. If it turns to shit getting it fixed will probably not cost much more than paying somebody overpriced labor at the dealership to chase down what could be nothing.

I have an 05 1200 and sounds just like that. Just put on some ear plugs and ride away! Sounds normal (for that motor) to me. Why don't you go down to the dealer and find a similar bike and have them start it up so you can hear what it sounds like? Maybe that will put your mind at ease?

Stage 1 in Harley ownership is getting used to all the weird ass noises your bike makes and not thinking they're all impending engine death. You'll get over it!

My 05 is twice as loud as that. Quad cams make a lot of noise.

Originally Posted by MCKENNA209

I have an 05 1200 and sounds just like that. Just put on some ear plugs and ride away! Sounds normal (for that motor) to me. Why don't you go down to the dealer and find a similar bike and have them start it up so you can hear what it sounds like? Maybe that will put your mind at ease?

my buddy has the same exact bike - year and everything. and it's as quiet as a fucking mouse. i hate him for it

alright, alright. i'll ride her as she sits. and then, when she pops, i'll make a thread saying something like "OMG WUT DID I DO? LOLOL." womp.

How's your battery?

I've got an '06 and the battery was garbage when I got it. It was enough to start the bike, but not enough to allow the bike to run properly. It threw a code even to replace the battery. It was making a lot of valve train noise.

I did replace the battery and the bike instantly sounded a lot quieter. Runs mucho smoothiente now too.

Originally Posted by TINGLER

How's your battery?

I've got an '06 and the battery was garbage when I got it. It was enough to start the bike, but not enough to allow the bike to run properly. It threw a code even to replace the battery. It was making a lot of valve train noise.

I did replace the battery and the bike instantly sounded a lot quieter. Runs mucho smoothiente now too.

battery and everything is good. for sure. i took it for a bit of a ride tonight. there's no visible loss in performance or anything like that.. there's just a tick that's drivin me fuckin bonkers.

My '11 Sporty sounds like that too. Got louder after the first 1500 miles or so. Sometimes it's quieter, sometimes louder. Think I'm used to it now.

I've had two sportsters in the last 12 years (a '97 solid-mount and a '04 rubber-mount), and they both made a lot of top end noise. Even after 12 years of hearing the shit, I STILL occasionally hang my head down near the motor when I'm at a stoplight and think "is that normal?" I've been wrenching professionally for the past 10 years, and have heard A WHOLE LOT of sportys from mild to wild, and they ALL make a lot more noise than you'd expect (even straight outta the box with no work). That's the nature of the beast. Just gotta say fuck it and ride the hell out of it.

Originally Posted by Rubman

edit: if anyone was wondering, it's coming from the very top of the front cylinder.

sounds bad, but normal, like some woman I`v known, its when they get quiet you have to worry.

I wouldn't worry about it unless the sound continues getting progressively louder. You'll know if this happens. Or, unless you have determined that it has no oil in it, haha.

Originally Posted by rooster52478

It's probably fine. Once you hear something you will start focusing on it. Look at it this way. Just run it. If it turns to shit getting it fixed will probably not cost much more than paying somebody overpriced labor at the dealership to chase down what could be nothing.

This is spot on. They're noisy as fuck and focusing on one noise makes it louder and louder until you've convinced yourself no oil is getting to one cylinder. I have an '06 that I've stripped everything off of and stage 1 etc. Sounds normal IMHO.

Originally Posted by threat357

I've had two sportsters in the last 12 years (a '97 solid-mount and a '04 rubber-mount), and they both made a lot of top end noise. Even after 12 years of hearing the shit, I STILL occasionally hang my head down near the motor when I'm at a stoplight and think "is that normal?" I've been wrenching professionally for the past 10 years, and have heard A WHOLE LOT of sportys from mild to wild, and they ALL make a lot more noise than you'd expect (even straight outta the box with no work). That's the nature of the beast. Just gotta say fuck it and ride the hell out of it.

haven't had mine that long, but i know what you mean. sometimes just the combination of my head position, wind, road surface, etc., will make something stick out and i'll think "holy fuck, what is that?" then i panic for a bit, and then realize nothing is blowing up.

Sportster motors are pretty fuckin' bulletproof. They can take a lot of abuse and still run strong and reliable. Loud pipes help haha!