Just got my frist harley about a month ago, I have a couple of questions, frist the motor has a little noise ( like rattling rockers on a car ) does'nt get much louder at high rpm but just wonder if it normal or something needs adjusted or checked. 2nd was riding today, had rode about 60 miles and front brakes locked up like I was appling pressure to them had to pull caliper off to get home. so my question is what can cause this? and also I have noticed a rattle in front brake area and when apply front brake it would stop. any info will help
Thanks.

 

It would help to know more about the year and model of your Sportster.

But chances are that the cylinder and/or piston of the front caliper are either corroded or dirty and not retracting like they should. Depending on which model you have, there are pins that the caliper should move on. Those pins need to be greased. Again, depends on which model.

 

my bad, It's 1995 xlh1200

 

If it's a stock caliper, then it's a single piston, floating caliper. The pins that mount the caliper should be coated with hi-temp grease to allow the caliper to slide on the pins. A bunch of dust and crud inside the bores where the pins go can really bind the caliper.

The piston has an O-ring with a rectangular cross section. The piston and O-ring should be able to slide easily back and forth in the bore. If the brake fluid hasn't been changed, then chances are moisture has condensed inside the master cylinder and the moisture (water) has settled to the lowest point in the system, the bottom of the brake caliper, and caused corrosion. If the piston is seized in the bore, then the ONLY safe thing to do is either rebuild the caliper by cleaning the bore and piston and installing a new O-ring and dust boot, or installing a complete new caliper. Don't go for a used caliper because it could be in the same condition yours is.

Since your bike is a 1995, I'd recommend replacing the caliper with a new one.

Flush all the old brake fluid out and re-fill with the correct type of fluid as indicated on the master cylinder cap.

 

The top end noise is normal on a sporty. My 2005 does it. Sort of a high pitched sound.

 

My sporty makes that noise as well. the best way to explain that noise is it sounds like a huge pissed off sewing machine.

 

Thanks for the help I'm a virgin on harley's. you got it crazytrain69 that's what it sounds like.
Ride safe!