Clicking Noise @ 2000 RPM

[Big_Cheese]

Lot's of good ideas to check out! I truly appreciate everyone's help with this. I guess if I don't let it run at 2000 rpms, I will not be hearing it very much. I've got bowling league tomorrow night, so it'll probably be Wednesday evening before I have a chance to check some of these potential sources you've given me. I have heard pre-ignition in my inlaw's Heritage Softtail when riding it, and this doesn't sound the same as that did. Their's has an 80cid Evo on board as well. I've always thought that lugging engine speed was quite a bit lower than 2500, just judging by the sound of the bike. Mine sounds a bit quiet at that speed. She only gets loud when I'm heavy on the throttle. Guess I'm gonna have to remove the baffles out of those Vance & Hines pipes to keep it sounding like a Hog!

[frisco-rigid]

Hi Man

OK, I have read some very good explainations of how the Momentum of the Rods and Rod-bearings take a beating when our motors are lugged..

I simply cannot explain it as well from memory so heck, I'll give you a Hands-On example..

Several years ago I was lugging my 120".. I didn't think I was, I thought my R's were high enough, there was no bucking and no pinging when I applied power.. I had no reason to think I was destroying my motor..

One day a small ticking started, I thought nothing of it figuring it was just lifter/rocker noise that I would tend to when I darn well wanted to, no biggy..
It slowly, very slowly, over 3 months maybe, got louder and now it didn't sound like upper end noise, now I couldn't find or pin-point it at all..
It got Loud but the motor seemed to run just as well and there was No diff at high speed..

Took it to my bud, the guy that built the motor, and he wasn't sure either, we listend hi & lo and finally he said he thinks I blew a crank pin..
Went home took it out & brought it back to him..
In 5 min. he had the barrels off and showed me the slop in the rods..

After a total re-build he showed me the crank pin and the very Classic signs of Lugging wear that destroys the crank and motor..

Now, all my motors get a minimun of 2500 - 2800 R's.. I never shift to high gear till I'm doing 55, city streets only get 2nd gear..
I shift no less than 3500 +-..

If you'd like I'll snap a photo of the crank pin and show you what to look forward to..

[unclepsycho]

Wow,, I think I better watch my rpm's, cuz I think I run under 2500 except when I am cruising.... My ultra is at 2900 at 70 mph and it sounds like it needs another gear....guess that's the noise it needs to make....

Then there's my BMC with the 6 speed... I drop into 6th at 60-65 and the rpm's drop way down. (no tach) I dont want to blow either motor.

[Big_Cheese]

Today was a nice day to ride. I took a long spin on the bike and did a lot of listening to the engine and thinking about this whole lugging issue. I do believe that while there is some merit to what frisco-rigid has shared, especially considering his own personal experience, I gotta go with what sounds and feels right with my machine. My bike is pretty much stock, with the exception of the S&S "E" carb and the Vance & Hines pipes. If I'm not mistaken, frisco-rigid's machine had a larger displacement, higher performance engine than my stock 80ci EVO. That differential alone, might mean a world of difference between how each engine should be operated. After doing a bit of research, I've decided to just ride the hell out of the bike. After all, isn't that the main reason we bought them in the first place?
Of course, I'll be doing the normal servicing, and not overly worrying about occasional, intermittent noises. If something in the engine lets go, I'll fix it. My wife's uncle was a long time Harley-Davidson Tech at the Lincoln Nebraska dealership for many years, and I could (and probably should) get some input from him sometime soon. Today, I put some new 6" X 1" setback risers, and a lowrise, speedster handlebar on the bike. I like it MUCH better than the mini-apes that came on it. It also makes it more my bike!