I'd like some help. I have a 2005 softtail. I just replaced my cam service kit. I didn't replace the bearings. There is no noise in the rocker arm. There is a tik tik tik noise inside the cylinder. Should I replace the piston ring? Or where is the problem?

 

Don't hear anything to be concerned about. But my wife says I'm deaf as ignore her a lot.

 

I don't hear much beyond normal top end noise and I used headphones to make sure I was hearing as best as I could from the file. What made you think that it was "in the cylinder" and why would replacing one piston ring be a viable solution?

 

The cylinder made a noise and suspected a piston ring.🤔

 

thanks!

 

Put a borescope down the plug hole if you suspect something.

 

Although, I don't hear anything unusual, it would be hard to distinguish a noise that is specifically in the cylinder vs.the top end. Remember, the cylinder only goes about halfway up and then you have the heads and rocker boxes above that. Here's a good visual:
To help pinpoint a noise, use a mechanic's stethoscope or press a wooden dowel to your ear and then touch it to various points on the engine.

 

Thank you for the good video👍

 

Two ear mechanic's stethoscope. Under $10 at Harbour Freight. You need both ears plugged from all the exhaust noise to determine engine problems. Compare one cylinder to the other in the same location on each cylinder.

I don't hear any great problem. And I do detect different sounds mixed together that without the two ear stethoscope is confusing.

A broken ring would cause a issue in how it idles. However on a Harley, that's difficult to see.

Do a warm compression check with butterfly held open. See a problem, then double check with a leak down to see if it's rings or valves.

What is a cam service kit?

 

Thank you for your answer. I was also a mechanic. Now I do it as a hobby. The product in the picture is a cam service kit.