First the bike's info. I have a 2012 Fat Boy Lo with the stock 103, Vance and Hines pipe. SE intake, and Power Vision. The bike has about 6700 miles and has Mobil 1 V-twin in all three holes. The other day after riding for about 15 miles I stopped for about 10-15 min. When I restarted the bike I heard a fairly loud ticking or tapping noise coming from the engine. It went away after a bit. I rode the bike 25 miles back home and the noise hadn't come back. I rode the bike 50 miles the next day with no noise. I rode 50 miles today and made a stop a few miles from the house. About 15 min after stopping I started the bike to leave and the noise was back but went away before I left the parking lot and was gone by the time I got home. Does anybody have an idea what this is? I'm going to try and get the bike into service sometime in the next couple of weeks but I doubt the problem will present itself when I go to the dealer.

 

The first thought that comes to my mind is a sticking lifter.

 

Thanks. Any idea what would cause that? It should be covered under warranty whatever it is but if it is a stuck lifter is that something that would require a lot of down time? The main reason I ask is that the bikes a daily rider.

 

Where does it sound like the noise is coming from? My Deuce will tap for a few minutes after sitting for a while when hot every now and then. I chocked mine up to a lifter bleeding down, never had the dealer check it out.

 

It sounds like it's coming from the rocker boxes or at least that area. It hasn't done it after I shut the bike down and it's cooling, just when starting.

 

Like has been said it is a sticky lifter thats comes and goes. Not a real long repair, just have to have it happen so they can change the right one, thats the hard part.