Noisy Harley Evo Sportster Discuss Noisy in the Harley Sportster & Buell forums; My wife has an 04 1200c.Her engine makes alot of noise.Everyone tells us that's how sportys sound.We're told,backlash and pushrod feedback???If this is the way sportys sound,are there any engine ...

[Gunny20]

My wife has an 04 1200c.Her engine makes alot of noise.Everyone tells us that's how sportys sound.We're told,backlash and pushrod feedback???If this is the way sportys sound,are there any engine mods we can make to quiet it down?
Thanks

[Wrightturn]

Hey Gunny,

You should listen to an old Iron Head Sportster when they had solid lifters. Most of the noise results from the basic design. You have four seperate cam shafts that are gear driven operating push rods. Sometimes I think it`s a miracle they don`t make more noise than they do.

Have someone familiar with Sportsters listen to make sure it is all normal noise. About the only thing that will make extra noise is in the primary. A loose primary chain or compensator sprocket is an easy fix.

[Gunny20]

Are there any adjustments that can quiet it down?

[Wrightturn]

Hey Gunny,

A good 20/50 synthetic oil helps. Has the engine been modified ? All nuts and bolts tight ?

[Gunny20]

No Mods...everything is tight.Someone said the cam backlash may be able to be adjusted.Have you ever heard of that ?
Gunny

[Wrightturn]

Hey Gunny,

Backlash is adjusted by using different size gears. Harley uses color coded gears of different size to correct backlash. I have done top end jobs with lifter replacement but always reused the cams with one exception. The main concern is that the gears will be too tight and bind. If they bind bad things happen. If they are loose they just make noise that doesn`t hurt anything. To fit new cam gears would be expensive.

Are you sure the noise is cam/lifter related ? Get an inexpensive stethoscope from an auto supply and listen to different places on the motor.

Has the bike always made this noise ? Does it seem to be getting worse ?

[Gunny20]

It has always made the noise and is not getting worse.Thanks for your help.

[street bob]

I used to own a 72' ironhead xlch. That bike was noisy but it sounded awesome with the drag pipes I had on it.
My wife has an 02'- 1200c and I really didn't think it was all that noisy.
I wish I could hear your scoot.