Today after getting the bike up to temp and choke full off the bike started making a whirling almost fan like high pitch sort of sound.. Any ideas??
This bike isnt on the road and hasnt been ridden in a long time. Today it got ridden up/down the driveway about 6 times which is the most it has in about 2 years.
98 softail

 

My first guess would be the camshaft needle bearing has failed.

 

I dont think im explaining it right. Its a subtle sort of a whirling like an electric motor running or something. Im going to try and record around the engine and post a link. It could be totally normal, im not a bike person. I never even noticed it till someone else was here (also not a harley person) and he pointed it out. Now i wonder.

 

Maybe it is just the way this exhaust sounds? You can hear it in this video as i rev it up.
http://members.aol.com/clphotobox/sounds.wmv

 

Change the motor oil, try Mobil 20/50. Trust me, you are hearing the pistons sliding up and down the cylinder walls.

 

Sounds like the breathers to me....like the air is going back into the engine as if the umbrela valves weren't working.
Do you have a SE air filter kit on your bike....if so listen close to the air filter and see if the noise is louder.

Another thing I would look at is the oil level in the tank....if it is low look in your primary for too much oil and drain your crank case. If the primary is filled to the proper level and the oil tank level is fine go ride the bike for a while ....not up and down the drive way....go out for a putt and then listen again.

 

I checked the tank level and it looks fine. The engine , exhaust, air cleaner, etc are all stock

Unfourtantly i cant drive it on the road since it is not registered/insured/no plates...

Where/what are the umbrella valves and how do i check them? There are 2 hollow bolts holding the air cleaner back plate on, there are rubber caps/hoses going to the air cleaner from them. I can feel air coming out of those when i pull the hoses off.

Also how/where do i check the primary level.

There is a largeallen head plug right near where the VIN is on the motor, what is this plug? I removed it but see nothing inside. Is this for timing?

I notice some/slight oil leak on the paint at the bottom of the front cylinder jug above the oil filter.

 

still chasing this one

 

Sounds to me like it is the primary chain tensioner is either dry or to tight. My 07 RK whines in the primary when sitting still.The chain passing over the tesioner makes a whiring sound.