Here's a question I've had for a while. It's on my 2006 88A &5 speed, so it isn't the "new motor/trans issues" we always see in posts here.

OK, what extactly causes the "pea gravel bouncing off the frame" soundwhen Ilug my 88A motor? I normally don't lug the motor, but when I do it sounds like I'm kicking up gravel.

Belt? Primary chain? Motor mounts? Gravel? Is it an indicator of something out of adjustment? Need louder pipes to mask it?

Thanks
Edmo

 

Is it pinging? Maybe detonation?

I understand the new bikes especially with fuel injection are set up lean.

What octane fuel do you use? 93 probably best, 91 if you can't get the other.

I just had a load of bad gas and it pinged from 2000-3000 on every hill.

 

Not pinging and I always run 93 octane...

It happens when I try to accelerate in too high of a gear. Sound exactly like pea gravel bouncing off of the frame.

Edmo

 

Edmo: At what rpm does yours make that sound? My 06 Roadglide makes a similar sound at around 2700, 2800 rpm. Has done it since new. It is driving me nuts. I don't think it is in the engine. I really think mine is in the primary. At 200 miles I had a Harley automatic primary chain adjuster put on and for some reason, I think it has something to do with the noise.
Gary D.

 

I'm not sure about the RPMs, but here is an example...

Loafing along at 45 MPHin 5th gear and then quickly open the throttle. I get the pinging noises then. Fairly low RPMs (I don't have a RPM gauge) combined with a rapid increase in throttle while in a higher gear. It doesn't sound like it's coming from within theengine (pinging), but rather from outside. and under the bike. I still have the manually adjusted primary chain which I check every oil change (2500-3000 miles).

The motor is running great with good power. It has a SE air intake, V&H slip-ons, and the HD stage 1 flash. It only gets 93 octane fuel and at 14,000 miles it isn't using any oil.

Strange noise...

Edmo

 

If your loafing along at 45 mph and then snapping the throttle open your making the engine ping, that noise is coming from the engine. Its telling you that if you keep doing that your going to crack a piston not to mention beating the crap out of the top piston ring.If you want to crank on the throttle at 45 mph you would be doing your engine and wallet a service by down shifting before you snap the throttle open.

 

My bike would try to buck me off at 45 in 5th. Not till 60 maybe 55 on occasion if its nice and flat.

 

I believeit mayhave been badgas...

The wife and I just parked the bikes from an afternoon ride and I had no problems or noises. The problem withpremium gasis you don't know how long it has been in the station's tank. Bikes and Beemers use premium, sothe average country store in Arkansas doesn't move much of it, assuming it was actually premium to start with.

With regards to 45 MPH in 5th gear,the motorshouldn't ping. Even theHD manualrecommends upshifting to 5th at 45 MPH during acceleration. I think I'll hold off on the engine rebuild kit for now.

Thanks

Edmo

 

45 in 5th is way too slow.......my bike runs all day at 2500-3200 rpm. Anything under 2200 is groaning and under 2000 is serious violent lugging.......get yourself a tachometer.

 

Keep those revs up..
Read the manual, anything...45 MPH in 5th come on...