When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
General Topics/Tech TipsDiscussion on break in periods, rider comfort, seats and pad suggestions. Tech tips as they become available will be posted here.
I've got an 04 Fat Boy EFI and it's making a weird noise from the left side of the bike. The best way to describe the sound would be for you to imagine the sound of an air compressor running with a hose hooked up to it, cut the end of the hose and hold your thumb over the end to let the air **** out. Sorta like a pifft, pifft, pifft, pifft, pifft, very quickly. Or think of a plastic grocery bag caught up or tied up on the rear passengers left foot peg, and it flapping in the breeze. It's extremely annoying and happens infrequently. At times it's loud enough to get over the top of the exhaust (V&H Big Radius with baffles removed very loud bike!).
Now check this one out, I thought it was an exhaust leak as I noticed the rear cylinder exhaust bolts loosened up frequently. Also, it seemed ever time I tightened em up, the noise would go away. I replaced the gaskets (HD high performance) and put locking nuts on. Still, the sound! It's weird because the sound only happens at speeds at or above 40 mph and when the bike runs at 200 degrees. It would usually only happen at those speeds while I let off the throttle but is now happening during acceleration. I took it in for service and of coarse the tech took it for a ride and chalks it up as exhaust echo. Dude,,, no way! It's a sound that is not in sync with the exhaust. A buddy of mine thought I had a blown head gasket but I would think the sound would be continues regardless what speed / rpm. I would hear a blown head gasket at idle, no? Again, under 40 mph it goes away. Also, I why would I hear it coming from behind me?
Sounds like a blow off that comes from under my *** just behind and to the left of me! And no, I'm not all that gassy!
I'll tell ya, it's annoying enough for me to not want to ride!
The sound come from the left side rear (sitting on the bike).
Spark plugs nice and tight.
Is the Crank Vent on the right side by the air filter?
Question!
What is the black tube that drains at the bottom of the bike just forward of the rear fender guard?
It was leaking gas after I filled up last. For what it's worth, the sound, sounds like it's coming from this area.
That's the fuel tank overfill tube. Check the vent tube for the transmission on the top of the tranny. Make sure it is not plugged. Also check for intake seal leaks at your induction module
That's the fuel tank overfill tube. Check the vent tube for the transmission on the top of the tranny. Make sure it is not plugged. Also check for intake seal leaks at your induction module
The transmission vent tube does not seem to be obstructed. Should I send a pipe cleaner down it? Would this cause an air like noise at higher speeds? It's pretty loud at times. Loud enough to get over the exhaust.
The intake seal at the induction module? where on the planet is that?
Also noticed you have a windshield mounted. Does the noise change with it removed, they will amplify all motor and drive train noises.
+1- I hate the sound of mine with it on to the point I wear ear plugs. Also a buddy of mine was having trans issues causing a bit of a noise and if I remember right in the other forum section you said all you have to do is pull and release the clutch and noise can happen
Ya if the bike isn't making the noise, and it's warmed up and has already made the noise, all I have to do to get it to make the noise again is pull the clutch in and release slowly and there I have it.
It's fucing weird! The noise is definitely coming from the left rear.
Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.