I just bought this 2001 heritage less than a week ago and I'm already noticing something out of whack.... Well, at least I think it's out of whack. After my engine has warmed up (usually after a nice ride) I notice a chirping sound coming from the engine. It only does it at idle and at low speeds, 30mph or lower. Runs great and strong, but I'm wondering what this noise is. If its not something major I would still like to fix it because it's very annoying. I understand that it's difficult to diagnose this problem without actually hearing it for yourself, just hoping someone knows exactly what I'm talking about. Thanx.

 

I've had a couple bikes that did this. Mostly at idle. Never bothered me, so I didn't bother trying to locate it. My '05 RK let out a loud chirp immediately after shutting it down.

Try this: Go for a short ride AT NIGHT,then, when you get back home, without shutting it down, check to see if the exhaust pipe is glowing where it exits the rear head.If it is, you could have a slight air leak,prolly intake manifold, which is causing it to run lean, thus accounting for the glow & the chirp sound. Also--chech for loose exhaust pipe sheild.

 

Your pipes can cause it also. I have drag pipes on my 99 Softail Custom, and if I put my homemade baffles in them, I get a kind of a chirp whistle out of them at about the same place as you. On mine it is just above idle to maybe 2,000 rpm. When I take the baffles out it goes away.

 

i will check the pipes. i'm also wondering if it is an engine mount, as well.