I have a 2014 Electra Glide Ultra Classic. When first started in the morning, there is a (one) 'metal' rap noise in the engine, then this goes away. The when running it thru the gears, hitting 3000 rpm it does it again, once. Then its the normal Harley engine. Pull great and hasn't let me down. This does it when thr bike has sit a couple of days. Help???

 

Probably lifters just needing to be pumped up, I wouldnt worry about it.

 

That's my guess as well. Depending on where the engine stops when you cut it off, sometimes (most of the time) a valve is held in the open position. This causes that particular lifter to bleed down, maybe even all the way down. Sounds like once the lifters get pumped back up the sound goes away, which sounds normal to me.

 

I've seen a few fault lifters over the years and if left unaddressed it could lead to scoring/flaking of the cam lobe surfaces.

Will it explode, No, but if you're hearing them work improperly, you should replace them.

 

my '13 with 12k miles makes a stange noise only after cold start. I think the ignition and fuel MAPs are somewhat different until a minimum temperature is met. After the min temp is met it seems to roll over into the standard MAP and the noise goes away. i could be wrong but that is what it seems.

 

have same prob, when starting, i hear a couple of big knocks in the motor and then it goes away.

 

Buddy of mine had his 13 roadglide with 4k miles in for a noise that sounds similar to yours it ended up being in the topend

 

See, thats just the thing - are you going to get a CAT scan every time you get a headache on the odd chance it could be brain cancer?

It could either be typical valve train/lifter clatter, or.... brain cancer.

 

It could either be typical valve train/lifter clatter or could be worse. the only thing to do is get it to a mechanic and have if checked. Its awful hard to diagnos over the internet

 

start with easy stuff. don't panic with all these answer. i had the same noise. ended up being loose front heat shield. the hose clamps that are used to tighten them to your pipes corrode and they feel like they are tight but in fact might not be. spray wd40 on then. loosen them. move the heat shield around making sure its not hitting anything around them and re tighten. i did this and sound went away. it would oscillate at certain rmp,s and make a noise