After I bought my Harley 2014 1200 Sportster 48, I have been getting loud tapping sounds from the left side. I was told several things. Fuel tank is too small, you can hear the tappets more than usual. Don’t shift into higher gears, don’t need 5th gear at 3000 rpm, not adjustable pushrods. Also, that these motors are mass produced some are louder than others. It is pretty annoying hearing this tapping, so I have to put ear phones on. I love my Harley but can’t seem to get this problem solved can you help me?
Via Email
Inspect your primary drive chain. Make sure it is not adjusted too loose. Make sure you are using a quality oil. Also, always run 93 octane fuel. Preferably from Mobil or Sunoco.
Related Fix My Hog Videos:
Harley Oil Change Clutch & Primary Chain Adjustment
All Sportster Maintenance
Have more questions? Check out our Q&A index page to find some answers.
I have the same problem and was told the same thing so I bought Hines headers and wear a helmet with Bluetooth
Hopefully this question is acceptable here. I have a 2020 HARLEY 48. I have a whining up and down sound on the right rear. Took it into Harley twice and was told rear bearing checked and belt adjusted. But noise persists. It is most prominent at 50-45, Sound whines down quickly to lower speeds. Any ideas what to check gentlemen?
I had great luck with shimming, also shimmed cams to spec and surprised it wasn't done at the factory as well.
I have the same Harley Davidson sportster 2014 I have the same problem and was told the same exact thing from service department at Harley Davidson i bought Haynes exshaust system but I still hear the tappets disappointed in that part but I like my Harley Davidson
And BTW, I hope you're kidding about putting earphones on. Dangerous and illegal.
I have what sounds like a similar problem on my ‘05 Road King. It is noticeable in the 2500-3000 rpm range. I found a product called “Rock Out” and shimmed them up. They still meet specs. It helped considerably but there is still some noise (side-to-side, I think). I would say shimming eliminated about 75% of the irritating noise.
I have what sounds like a similar noise coming from my rocker arms. I own a ‘05 Road King and the sound is annoying at the 2500-3000 rpm range. I found a product called “Rock Out” and shimmed them up. It helped considerably. However, I think there is still some side play. I’m not sure how to shim that up and still meet specs. I would say the shimming that I have completed eliminated about 75% of the noise. Still a bit annoying but not nearly as bad.
Rocker Arm play is a problem that I have in my '05 Road King. I shimmed it up with a product called "Rock Out". I helped considerable, but there is still some noise from side-to-side play, I think. It’s about 75% quieter, but still can be heard at about 2500-3000 rpm.
I was told the same thing on my 2014 sportster 1200 I ended up getting van and Hines exshaust but that didn’t really get rid of the tappets one comment was. Made to me is close my legs together boy was I upset when the tech told me that