Valve Clatter

Question for Fix My Hog 2008 Harley Street Glide. I have a heavy valve clatter when trying to take off easily from red light etc…at low rpms.

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Fix My Hog Answers Make sure you are always using 93 octane of quality fuel. Depending on how many miles are on this m/c, you may be due to freshen up this motor.

Related Fix My Hog Videos:

Harley Valve Job

https://www.fixmyhog.com/video/harley-top-end-removal-008743/

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11 Responses to “Valve Clatter”

  1. cajunbear65

    Just bought a 99 road king and plane on doing a complete fluid change on it ,oil,trans, primary. When checking fluid levels does it need to be level or on side stand thanks

  2. LAWRENCE

    Sorry there were a couple of speech to text errors in there. The noise is from takeoff all the way up to 2550 RPm. Then it disappears. Bike has approximately 1800 miles on it now and it had its 1000 Mile service at a Harley dealership with synthetic oil . Oes the noise that you other guys are hearing disappearing at 2600 RPM? Mine is definitely and is always gone and 2600 RPMs. My bike sounds like crap it's embarrassing to take off from a light with this noise going on. It makes Harley brand sound and cheaply made and it should not be considered normal. These are both Milwaukee eight engines that I have. The 107 is quiet the 114 is not. By the way the 114 has stock OEM Mufflers. While is 107 has Vance & Hines oversized mufflers. And you may be thinking the Vance& Hines pipes are covering up this chatter in my 107 ,but no,they are quiet Vance & Hines and I can hear my engine. Any suggestions?

  3. KeithK

    I have a 2013 roadglide ultra it has 26000<it seem to have some more then normal chatter it do es not seem right to me but the two Harley shop says nothing rong just don't get it there some noise there just let me know what you think thanks KW

  4. ryster1

    It might help to install a set of “Rockets Lockers”. They keep the rocker arms tight against the bolt that is supposed to keep them tight. This kit available on e bay has brass inserts you install into the bolt holes and no more noise! A lot of people think it’s valve noise or lifter noise when it’s not. Check it out!

  5. Derrick Hillier

    HD had issues with there'07/'08 bikes.Other bike repair shops have advised me to stay away from these model years.

  6. bruce kallestad

    <strong> Ticket 19965 Please define what you mean by "freshen up". I have a 09 Road King with 110,000 miles and I'm sure it would qualify for a freshen up ,whatever that means.

  7. broncobuster698

    I get that on my 04 ultra, but it was adjustable pushrod we're to lose, readjusting cured problem.

  8. Binny

    Is he referring to a valve/valves needing an adjustment, or detonation in the the combustion chamber?....just wondering

  9. ken buzzell

    The answer to ''valve clatter'' inquiry seems to assume that the person does not know the difference from ''valve clatter' and ''spark knock''. The first thing I would say is - are you sure it is valve train clatter and not spark knock? Too low of octane fuel and a few other things can cause ''spark knock'', but not lifter clatter. The mileage on the lifters could be an issue, but they'd have to be very high miles to hear them on take off I feel. One should consider hydraulic lifter replacement after roughly 35K on Harley. However, big cam (s) may need it sooner while many stock engines go 50K plus miles easily. Of course there is always a chance of even a new lifter failure. Remember these are assembled mechanical devices and its possible to bad from the start.

  10. gene abbott

    I have a 2013 Ultra Limited, it also sounds like a coffee can full of rocks and always has. My dealer said it was normal for that year. engine clatter is not normal ever! she is crowding 50k now! I was told from a independent machinist that putting in a different Oil pump would fix it. Is this true?