Noise Like a Sewing Machine

By Mark DiPietro

Question for Fix My Hog I have 2000 FLHP that started making a noise like a sewing machine. I have replaced all the oils, replaced the clutch and trap door bearings, and have checked the compression. It’s 130 hot at wide open throttle. The noise sounds like it’s coming from the cams, but I can’t be sure. Any ideas?

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Fix My Hog Answers You need to remove your cam cover and inspect your cam chain tensioners.

See Here:

Cam Chain Tensioner Shoe

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6 Responses to “Noise Like a Sewing Machine”

  1. J.P

    My 2004 was making same kinda noise. Just completed a Hydraulic cam chain tensioner upgrade with slighter larger cams and duration. Just love it. No noise and more power in the midrange where it needed it. Night and day by comparison. Just go for it. You'll love it.

  2. TODD

    I bought my 2014 Fat Bob new and was amazed at how quiet the 103 was, especially when the windshield was attached and before I added the stage 1 kit. I thought "This is so quiet it sounds like a sewing machine!" Keep in mind that this is after riding my 1979 Sportster for 28 years. The old Ironhead sounds like a cement mixer with a couple boulders inside. :) I figure the twin cam noise is so mild it's probably the rocker shafts tapping against the hold down bolts. I'll install a spacer kit for that when I need to open up the rocker boxes.

  3. MICHAEL

    Did you look at your cam tensioner? I'm curious what you found if anything.

  4. Peter j Hogan

    2003 fat boy twin cam 88. oil has been change every 3,000 miles. total miles presently is 11,000 when should i pull cam cover to inspect the cam chain shoes ?

  5. Dennis Saskowski

    There is a small amount of play on the rocker arm shaft across the flat where the bolt that holds it in place. The shaft will move slightly with the rocker arm movement causing a clicking sound. Now times that by 4 and you have your sewing machine sound. There is a kit to shim up the bolt that would eliminate any excess movement f the shaft. I thought my 2012 TC had a issue with that noise and just found out it was just a nascence noise and not worth fixing unless you need head work..

  6. david clenney

    Open up the cam chest and replace everything, cam plate, oil pump, cams, inner bearings, lifters, pushrods. Fueling makes a fantastic all in one kit for this.