I have the same "ticking" noise - just chalked it up to standard HD motor. Maybe it is more? never really gets too bad and does not sound or feel like the motor is going to give. If and when I do a displacement upgrade I will check the parts out a little closer. Nice bike too! Ride safe and often.

 

How long have you owned this bike? Has the noise been there since day one? Harleys engines make a lot of noise. The only time i get worried is when a NEW noise appears.

 

i have a 2011 streetglide and mine developed a ticking noise after about 4,xxx and it now has around 6,xxx......its been at the dealer for over 2 weeks now and all they have found after tearing the top end down is a lifter that was scored leaving a shiny wear line on my cam.....the bike is a factory 103.....so harley agreed to pay for new lifter.....not sure if they replaced all of them or just the bad one....have to guess just the bad one..... and i talked them into cutting me a deal on some se-255's....and no labor cost to me since it was apart....after putting it all back together...still making the ticking noise....he called me today and told me hes trying to get harley to agree to ok them to put in an upgraded pressure reliefe valve allowing better lubrication uptop.....anyone had this work for them....?......thanks

 

I have valve train noise, but it is only at 2500 rpm. It is annoying, but I ust ignore it and run the **** out of it.

 

i replaced my lifters and put the baisly preasure valve and spring and it still tapps at around 2000 rpms, im gonna take the last guys advice and run the **** out of it and learn to expect that the motor co is going to continue to produce **** for us to ride .. its like having a little piece of **** pie!!!!!!!!!!!!!when it blows up if it does ill figure it out then. i love my bikes but i think the motor company doesnt have quality all thought out....

 

This just made me laugh out loud, I have no idea why.

 

08 & 10 FLHX both had the Baisley spring installed which eliminated 98% valve train noise except for 2000-2200 RPM area. because of the overall improvement this has to be unrelated to the lifters bleed down, but what? Interesting that the 103 Valve train noise is getting dealer and moco attention.

 

only because it is undeniable that the ticking noise is present and progressive.....gets worse the longer i have the bike...and i agree with above post....Harley im sure knows there is a known problem...but as long as people are willling to hand over twenty something thousand dollars for their ticking machines.....they have no reason to change anything....I love my bike but this ticking is driving me nutZ

 

Im listening to everyone and im starting to think that the tight valve guide is making more sends to me because I changed the rockers, lifters&pushrods&steaming eagle rocker plates, the only thing I didn't do is shim the rockers because they were in tolerance...but the reason I think it could be the valve guide is im getting some poping on the deselleration !!! That just started. I never had that before!!!!

 

After having a Metric that ticked like it was a diesel, I monitor the valve noise closely to see if anything changes. It sounds like 9k is a milestone I will be listening for. I've got to say though, even if the noise gets as loud as my Metric was I don't plan to get freaked about it cuz Vtwin jugs are just that way and if It was something serious I would have blown the motor up on my Vstar and I used to run the hell out of that bike and it always held together and that motor wasn't build anyway near as good as this 96er is.