Getting annoyed with the noise coming out of my engine here lately. Is valve noise normal on the Sporties or is there an issue at work here that I will need to lend my attention to?

Today there was a bit of a clank when I stomped on the gas. That worried me a bit more than usual.

 

Sounding like a very wornout sewing machine is normal, I have the same concern as well but in 7,300 miles the sound has not changed. Mine used .5 quart of oil in the first 500 miles and not a drop since.

 

My 06 1200 makes all kinds of noises. My Bike runs great with no oil problems. I find the best thing to do is put in ear plugs, then you cant here all the odd Sportster noises, but your pipes will sound cool.

 

Yup the Sportster engine is one noisey beast, part of the charm to me, in fact when I hear a metric twin running it just sounds too clinical.

 

The more noise they make the faster they are.

Bike
2008 1200 Low
105 Anniversary #1221 out of 2,000
D&D Slip Ons
HD Race Fueler
Edit/Delete Message

Car
1998 Camaro SS #1599 out of 2,347
Cam and geared

Truck
2004 Z71
Edit/Delete Message

 

And the fast ones shake a lot.

Bike
2008 1200 Low
105 Anniversary #1221 out of 2,000
D&D Slip Ons
HD Race Fueler
Edit/Delete Message

Car
1998 Camaro SS #1599 out of 2,347
Cam and geared

Truck
2004 Z71
Edit/Delete Message

 

And if they leak a little oil they are even faster.

Bike
2008 1200 Low
105 Anniversary #1221 out of 2,000
D&D Slip Ons
HD Race Fueler
Edit/Delete Message

Car
1998 Camaro SS #1599 out of 2,347
Cam and geared

Truck
2004 Z71

 

Don't worry it's normal, and to the rider it's loud, but to others the pipes are louder. Record yourself riding by and you'll hear the difference.

 

Before i did my stage one and the more miles i put on the bike the more noise it makes. All i can say is the more i ride it the better the engine seems to run.

 

I am still running the stock mufflers so the engine sounds noisy to me but my ridin buds say they can't hear it.