Is it loud?
Does it sound metallic?
Is it unmistakable?


Reason I ask is it sounds like I have a tiny woodpecker living inside the engine. I can barely hear the "knocking."
I don't know if this is normal for an 01 FLHTCI or not.

Any input would be helpful. Thanks!

 

Do you only hear it at idle when it's warmed up? Or all the time?
Interestingly enough, I just noticed something similar last week on my '01 FLHRI. I could only hear it at idle though, after a ride. I normally ride with earplugs in with an ipod, so it may have been doing it for awhile but I didn't notice it. I changed the oil this weekend, and used Mobile 1 v-twin. I also idled the bike up slightly, as it was idling way too low. Made it MUCH better. It's barely noticable now, and only every now and then. I think mine sounded kinda like a wrist pin, piston slap, or maybe even a rod. But all of those things should cause it to do it all the time. I've got almost 43k on it now. I plan to run the hell out of mine. If it gets worse, I'll get concerned. Until then, I'm not gonna worry about it. I'm thinking about doing a big-bore and cams on it in a few weeks, so I'll have a look around inside then. You may want to check your comp nut, if you haven't already. It'll make a knocking noise if it's loose.

 

the metalic sound might be pinging.
there are a lot of noises to listen for piston slap , crank freee play , if something does not sound right try changing the oil and running it rthre a paint stocking or borrow some ones ols stocking and pour the oil thru that. if ya find metal it might be piston slap.
not good.

 

Detonation, sounds like breaking glass, IMO.
Scott

 

mine sounded like someone was taping the cyl.cooling fin. or like a bb was inhaled.

i used to have to duck down low to hear it when rolling on the throttle, other wise

i couldent hear it with all the wind noise and such.

 

when I got my RK last year in July it had 700 miles on it, never been serviced, 3 year old oil in it, it sounded like it had loose change in both top ends, thousand mile service took care of that. just over a year & 8500 miles later, 3 oil changes and the 'change' sound hasnt come back.

 

No mistaking knock! Ping sounds like a 87 Merc Marque under heavy throttle, sounds just like a diesel engine. Knock sounds like the old engine run on and at the very end the engine literally knocks 2 or three times...

Very heavy sounding trust me if it happens you'll know it.

 

I think you just nailed exactly the sound I got today.

I was pretty well just idling for about a 1/2 hour, putting around a neighbourhood recording "For Rent" signs for a friend. So, for 1/2 hour, never got above 10 or 20km/h, and was often stationary, writing notes.

Bike was (obviously) rather warm.

Anyway, on take off, in 1st, I was beseiged with this 'knocking' kind of noise while just getting going.

I attributed this to (I hope) just what a hot idling Harley sounds like, but should I have concern?

Thanks!

]{evin

 

I have been dealing with this issue since March of 2007. If your tune is good and this was do to abnormal riding habits then I would say your OK since gas has a lot to do with the carictoistics...


I have hi compression and will be lowering it this winter due to what I am dealing with!

 

I know this is an old thread but I will try anyhow. Stylz, did you ever figure out your peoblem with the engine noise? My 03 XLH1200 does the same thing. Sometimes when I go to take off I get that piston slap/rod knock noise until I get moving and it goes away. I then get a little pinging sound sometimes while cruising. I am new to the sporty as I had an 04 FXST but sold it to replace my piece o crap Ford F-150.