Engine Ringing Sound… “Will somebody answer the damn phone?”
#1
Engine Ringing Sound… “Will somebody answer the damn phone?”
I have a 2011 RKC with a stock engine and 1700 miles. This is my first Harley and my first V-twin for that matter so I’m unfamiliar with the various engine sounds. Only in recently weeks I took my bike on some steep twisty, mountain roads since we’ve had weeks of summer-like weather in our area. On three separate instances I’ve experienced a startling sound from the engine when I make steep, mountain descents. So the conditions when I hear the sound are:
- engine is hot
- traveling at about 8,000’ elevation
- long, steep, twisty descent at 7-10% grade
- engine braking in 3rd gear
A ringing sound starts similar to an old-school telephone bell and persists even if I shift into 4th gear. The sound stops when grade becomes less steep, flat or I start to climb. I do not experience this sound during less steep descents or during any other driving situations at all.
The only time I have heard anything similar from the engine is if you ever rev the throttle to high RPM (in neutral). As you close the throttle you hear a very subtle ringing sound just as the engine revolutions begin to decrease. The sound I'm hearing is similar, but it’s sustained.
Has anyone else experienced something similar (especially other high-altitude riders)?
Is this ringing sound actually sustained “ping”?
Is this expected under these conditions?
Is this normal?
Am I exceeding what I can expect from HD’s engine for braking purposes and I should use my disc brakes instead (though relying only on disc brakes can be dangerous in twisty, mountain descents)?
If this is abnormal it’s very difficult to reproduce the problem for my dealer since it has only occurred on some rare stretches of road, far away from any HD dealer.
Thoughts and opinions from experienced HD owners would be very welcome.
- engine is hot
- traveling at about 8,000’ elevation
- long, steep, twisty descent at 7-10% grade
- engine braking in 3rd gear
A ringing sound starts similar to an old-school telephone bell and persists even if I shift into 4th gear. The sound stops when grade becomes less steep, flat or I start to climb. I do not experience this sound during less steep descents or during any other driving situations at all.
The only time I have heard anything similar from the engine is if you ever rev the throttle to high RPM (in neutral). As you close the throttle you hear a very subtle ringing sound just as the engine revolutions begin to decrease. The sound I'm hearing is similar, but it’s sustained.
Has anyone else experienced something similar (especially other high-altitude riders)?
Is this ringing sound actually sustained “ping”?
Is this expected under these conditions?
Is this normal?
Am I exceeding what I can expect from HD’s engine for braking purposes and I should use my disc brakes instead (though relying only on disc brakes can be dangerous in twisty, mountain descents)?
If this is abnormal it’s very difficult to reproduce the problem for my dealer since it has only occurred on some rare stretches of road, far away from any HD dealer.
Thoughts and opinions from experienced HD owners would be very welcome.
Last edited by Nirvana; 10-19-2012 at 11:03 PM.
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V-Twins & Bowties (08-10-2021)
#4
I did wonder what that gentle jingling was after I first installed my bell, but now I'm used to hearing it. This new ringing just isn't subtle in any way.
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#8
I have a 2010 RKC and heard a very similar ringing from the right front. I'm pretty sure it was the front heat shield. Tighten up on the worm clamp, even if it already feels tight. Also check the wire spring clip for the detachable windshield. If it touches any of the nearby fork top trim, the buzzing will sound like a ring too. I did both fixes at the same time so I don't know which one worked but I'm pretty sure it was the heat shield.
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