Valve train noise

[SBMike]

I have a 2007 K9 with the 117. The previous owner had a 585 cam put in it. Last fall I could hear what I’d best describe as a sewing machine sound which seemed to be in the top of the motor that I’m sure was valve train noise. It wasn’t bad and I assumed it was normal. I finally got the bike out today and after it warmed up I still had that noise but also now it’s kind of a chirping noise with it, but seems to be only while decelerating and idling. But this noise IS annoying. I adjusted the pushrods to 19 flats which is a hair over 3 turns. No change. Now the one thing I did notice is I didn’t have to wait between adjusting each for the lifters to bleed down. They were spinning almost instantly. I’d say 30 seconds. By the time I got the lock nut tight they would spin. Could it be my lifters arent holding pressure? I cleaned the little filter by there and it was clean when I pulled it out. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[SBMike]

Oh and it has a fresh filter and oil change. And let me say that pink shock trans fluid by redline has eliminated any problems hitting neutral. I used to have to rev it quick to hit neutral. But now it falls in everytime without any fiddling with it.

 

[mleach72]

I have a 2007 K9 with the 117. The previous owner had a 585 cam put in it. Last fall I could hear what I’d best describe as a sewing machine sound which seemed to be in the top of the motor that I’m sure was valve train noise. It wasn’t bad and I assumed it was normal. I finally got the bike out today and after it warmed up I still had that noise but also now it’s kind of a chirping noise with it, but seems to be only while decelerating and idling. But this noise IS annoying. I adjusted the pushrods to 19 flats which is a hair over 3 turns. No change. Now the one thing I did notice is I didn’t have to wait between adjusting each for the lifters to bleed down. They were spinning almost instantly. I’d say 30 seconds. By the time I got the lock nut tight they would spin. Could it be my lifters arent holding pressure? I cleaned the little filter by there and it was clean when I pulled it out. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Yeah, if they are bleeding down that fast, I would say you need a new set of lifters. That's most likely the source of the noise.

 

[SBMike]

I don’t have a lot of experience with V twins. But everywhere I seen everybody is talking about waiting 15 minutes for them to bleed down till you can spin them. And right after I got them adjusted they were to tight to spin by hand. And then 30 seconds later they would spin. No where near 15 minutes. The funny thing is they were all like that. It seems if they were bad, they all wouldn’t be bad the same amount if you know what I mean?

 

[SBMike]

Update…..I found the chirping noise. I just put the bike back together recently after getting it painted. I had it completely apart. Some dummy…forgot to lock tite the upper motor mount. I would have bet any amount of money it was in the valve train and I would have lost. It still has the sewing machine sound from the valve train. It’s not loud or annoying. But I can hear it while idling or low engine speed. Is this normal? Does anyone else hear their valve train? I readjusted my pushrods to 4 turns like the manual says instead of the 3 to 3.5 like most people say with no change. I’m super happy that I found my biggest concern, but I’m still wondering about the soft sewing machine sound. Could it be a product of the 585 cam? Or wouldn’t that make a difference?

 

[john sachs]

Just be sure that the engine is in the proper position for the valve being set. S&S 585 cams are usually very quiet cams. Also, if travel limiters were installed, your valve adjust may be off.
John

 

[Mikeinjersey]

I have a 2007 K9 with the 117. The previous owner had a 585 cam put in it. Last fall I could hear what I’d best describe as a sewing machine sound which seemed to be in the top of the motor that I’m sure was valve train noise. It wasn’t bad and I assumed it was normal. I finally got the bike out today and after it warmed up I still had that noise but also now it’s kind of a chirping noise with it, but seems to be only while decelerating and idling. But this noise IS annoying. I adjusted the pushrods to 19 flats which is a hair over 3 turns. No change. Now the one thing I did notice is I didn’t have to wait between adjusting each for the lifters to bleed down. They were spinning almost instantly. I’d say 30 seconds. By the time I got the lock nut tight they would spin. Could it be my lifters arent holding pressure? I cleaned the little filter by there and it was clean when I pulled it out. Any ideas would be appreciated.

I can't come up with the answer to the 30 sec bleed down except maybe your doing the adjustment incorrectly. No oil in the lifters may explain it but you would hear a lot more than a sewing machine sound. Give this adj procedure from S&S a try. It also explains how to adj. if you happen to have travel limiters installed.

 

[SBMike]

Just be sure that the engine is in the proper position for the valve being set. S&S 585 cams are usually very quiet cams. Also, if travel limiters were installed, your valve adjust may be off.
John

Unfortunately I don’t know if the previous owner put in the limiters. It’s not that loud. It sounds like a quiet well oiled sewing machine. That’s the best I can describe it. I made sure the lifters were diwn and in the right place for each of them. This time when I adjusted them they each took about 2-4 minutes to release so I could spin the pushrod. Which was longer than the last time. The motor runs excellent. Plenty of power, idles perfect, no sputter or coughs, starts easy every time. It’s just got that quiet sewing machine kind of noise from the top of the rocker boxes that I don’t think should be there. I’d hate to buy lifters and install them to only still have that sound. Can I collapse the stock rods far enough to get them out without taking off the rocker boxes?

 

[SBMike]

Unfortunately I don’t know if the previous owner put in the limiters. It’s not that loud. It sounds like a quiet well oiled sewing machine. That’s the best I can describe it. I made sure the lifters were diwn and in the right place for each of them. This time when I adjusted them they each took about 2-4 minutes to release so I could spin the pushrod. Which was longer than the last time. The motor runs excellent. Plenty of power, idles perfect, no sputter or coughs, starts easy every time. It’s just got that quiet sewing machine kind of noise from the top of the rocker boxes that I don’t think should be there. I’d hate to buy lifters and install them to only still have that sound. Can I collapse the stock rods far enough to get them out without taking off the rocker boxes?

That’s how I did it. Like I said the 2nd time they took 2-3 minutes to bleed down. They weren’t almost instant like the 1st time. Maybe my lifters are worn and bleeding too fast. It has 17,000 on it. I have every receipt the guy ever paid for in repairs and the only thing close is when he had the 585 cam put in. It didn’t say it got new lifters, but he had that put in around 2 months after he bought it new so I’d guess they are the stock lifters. And by that adjustment page I don’t have the limiters installed because it say if you had limiters, it would never spin with 4 turns put in, and mine do.

 

[ChrisS]

My 07 117 makes a faint noise like that but from what I have read it is normal. Mine has 17000 miles also.

 

[SBMike]

My 07 117 makes a faint noise like that but from what I have read it is normal. Mine has 17000 miles also.

Ok thank you. It’s not clanking or ticking or anything. It’s the first big V twin I’ve had do I wasn’t sure if it’s normal or not. If I wasn’t listening for it I prolly wouldn’t hear it. Good to know someone else hears it too. Thanks

 

[ChrisS]

I can't hear much anymore with the new Ambush exhaust.

 

[SBMike]

I can't hear much anymore with the new Ambush exhaust. View attachment 98001

Lol, I have the V&H and I can’t hear it when I crack the throttle. But if just cruising I can.

 

[ChrisS]

The Ambush sets off car alarms. I try to go easy when Im out late. I'm not going to lie. It makes me grin when I look in the mirror and see headlights flashing. Don't judge me.

 

[will_65466@live.com]

My 08 Ridgeback makes the same sound.

 

[SBMike]

My 08 Ridgeback makes the same sound.

Thank you