goddamn tapping noise

[J.T.]

a

.

 

[Cutter]

Did they check you valves?
I saw some that were so sloppy that they could actually rattle around in their seats

 

[Fibersnake]

JT did they check the valves and guides. I know when mine where changed it was the guides that were the problems. Granted, my understanding is that with some of the TP Rockers, that there can be an offset in the geometry that puts undo side stress on the valves which will cause the guides to wear excessively. Some have even had oblong guides.

Also have you or the dealer check the push-rod adjustment to just help rule that out?

What Dealer checked them anyway??

 

[lee]

I was told that because I have roller rocker arms this will not be an issue for me...If anybody disagrees please speak up. I thought this might be useful info for some people though in case they don't want to go the whole hog and get the rocker boxes replaced.

 

[JohnnyB]

JT did they check the valves and guides. I know when mine where changed it was the guides that were the problems. Granted, my understanding is that with some of the TP Rockers, that there can be an offset in the geometry that puts undo side stress on the valves which will cause the guides to wear excessively. Some have even had oblong guides.

Also have you or the dealer check the push-rod adjustment to just help rule that out?

What Dealer checked them anyway??

I agree with Fibersnake that it may be the push-rod adjustment. I had terrible top end tapping noise, adjusted the push rods, and it's much better.

 

[BBChopper]

Had mine adjusted around 7ooomi. Still make noise but not excessive, that’s normal for TP. :2thumbs:

 

[RRRUFF]

Hey some of you wrench heads chime in on Lee's post, I am curious also.

 

[Fibersnake]

Lee,

Not sure if the TP Roller Rockers will prevent, for if not mistaken on mine that is what it had originally. Could be wrong but my understanding it was the Rockers that occasional cause the geometry problems and created the side loading on the valve which leads to excessive and uneven guide wear.

When they changed mine, they changed out with all S&S componets from roller rockers, valves, guides, springs, heads, etc. The only think tha ended up staying was the boxes. When I asked the dealer about why the boxes stayed TP, they said that the problem was not the box, but the rocker geometry itself and due to my boxes were still good, that BD didn't see the need to replace. Made sense to me and I like my TP boxes anyway.

Now since my dealer is very good and the Service Manager has been dealing with BD and many other V-Twins for many years, no reason to doubt them. So far it all seems good. Will say that when mine acted up, they were not that bad, but did seem to have gotten worse, and yes I did keep the pushrods adjusted.

At that time BD was no longer just changing out heads and componets wholesale due to noise. They had the dealer do all kinds of checks, for from what i uderstand they were gettting many heads that were supposidely bad only to get them back and find it it was not so. My dealer did a blow down test, measured the guides and a few other things and the guides had exceeded the upper limits for out of roundness (or at least that is what I took away from conversations).

So far so good, but I have notice since I owned it that as I get more noise in the top end, just a quick adjustments of the push rods seem to be the ticket overall. Also since day one, I was concerned about the noise and found out it was normal due to various factors and having rode a few others BD, did see they had more noise than most of my previous rides.

 

[RRRUFF]

Thanks FS! I was curious about the rollers verses non-rollers, with combination of bad geometery, if the roller would help the situation or not.

 

[Chopper Dave]

When they changed mine, they changed out with all S&S componets from roller rockers, valves, guides, springs, heads, etc. The only think tha ended up staying was the boxes. When I asked the dealer about why the boxes stayed TP, they said that the problem was not the box, but the rocker geometry itself and due to my boxes were still good, that BD didn't see the need to replace. Made sense to me and I like my TP boxes anyway.

When my bike was at my dealer last winter....they found one of my guides were out of tolerance.....so they changed out everything that Fiber mentioned....and they also changed my boxes from TP to the S&S...:up: everything was replaced under warranty to S&S.....heads....boxes ...valve train...

 

[Cutter]

...Not sure if the TP Roller Rockers will prevent, for if not mistaken on mine that is what it had originally. Could be wrong but my understanding it was the Rockers that occasional cause the geometry problems and created the side loading on the valve which leads to excessive and uneven guide wear.

When they changed mine, they changed out with all S&S componets from roller rockers, valves, guides, springs, heads, etc. The only think tha ended up staying was the boxes. When I asked the dealer about why the boxes stayed TP, they said that the problem was not the box, but the rocker geometry itself and due to my boxes were still good, that BD didn't see the need to replace. Made sense to me and I like my TP boxes anyway.

Now since my dealer is very good and the Service Manager has been dealing with BD and many other V-Twins for many years, no reason to doubt them. So far it all seems good. Will say that when mine acted up, they were not that bad, but did seem to have gotten worse, and yes I did keep the pushrods adjusted.

At that time BD was no longer just changing out heads and componets wholesale due to noise. They had the dealer do all kinds of checks, for from what i uderstand they were gettting many heads that were supposidely bad only to get them back and find it it was not so. My dealer did a blow down test, measured the guides and a few other things and the guides had exceeded the upper limits for out of roundness (or at least that is what I took away from conversations).

I originally had the TP's with rollers as well...
Dealer performed same tests - rockers out... valves out...
They did, however, replace with S&S boxes but same heads this past March, even though the dealer initially told me that they would only replace the rockers, and valves and guides?...
The S&S are not roller rocker's, but said that now, with the proper aligment, it should not matter...

Seems to be running very good...

 

[Fibersnake]

Cutter,

It is a little strange when they did these heads, that so many got different things. Some with full S&S from heads to boxes, other, bits and pieces, etc. For mine they did put in S&S Rollers, rocket shafts, springs, valves guides, pretty much everything but the box themself.

Just got back from the dealer picking up my EHC and we were talking about that. They even said they didn't know why some had the boxes changed and others didn't but did confirm most of the problems were realated to the rocker to valve geometry and the side loading.

Another item that came up was the tranny issues. I asked him if they had any big issues with tranny failing, and they told me only 3 or 4 over the last few years. Then he mentioned (without the subject ever coming up from me) that it seemed all of the ones that did had been using RedLine Shock Proof.

Interesting on that note. He said he wasn't sure if it was just a coincedence or maybe due to the stuff is so thick. He was telling me that when they drain it, it takes for every to get it all out and most of he time time they have to flush with regular oil to help. He mentioned that with it taking 20 oz or so, that when they drain, they are luck to get 16-17 out with out flushing with reg oil.

I am think I will post something on seperate thread to see if many of those that have had tranny problems had used or are using RedLine Shock Proof.

 

[Cutter]

I think BDM is confused on this issue, and probably waffling on the fix, which in turn is confusing us...

Dave also told me that he got the roller rockers and new heads and boxes...

My dealer told me no new boxes, but when I picked up my bike, it had S&S boxes?

I had head work done to the old heads, or maybe they were new heads but they looked kinda dirty???

Either way J.T., you did have the service order without resolution under warranty... I would verify that they adjusted/inspected your pushrods, and checked your valves... keep the pressure on them to find and correct the problem.

 

[Cutter]

... I asked what happens if its still not out of tolerance at that time...and he told me that we would have to address that when the time comes. So my plan is to ride the shit out of it for a few months and get it checked again, I guess. What pisses me off is my warranty expires in August, right in the middle of riding season.:bang: ...

Just keep your unsatisfied service orders in a safe place... hopefully this all works out for you in the long run...

 

[ChuckRB05]

re

Fibersnake, do you adjust your pushrods yourself? I've read the tutorial on the site, but I'm not so sure yet.

JT... Mine started the same way. The Bike would be ok for awhile after the cold start, then gradually, the ticking got worse. After awhile I knew oil was leaking down into the combustion chamber through the valve guides by noticing the fouled plugs.

 

[Fibersnake]

Chuck,

Yes I do adjust them myself for the most part. Occasionaly I will have the dealer do it if I have it in there for major work.

Many other also do it and it not hard but will take some time. It is good if you have help for turning the engine over using the back wheel can be a pain trying to watch the lift and hitting it right while using the wheel.

Chacha had a pretty good post with pictures on it of how to do it.

http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/how/463-pushrod-adjustment-how-pics.html

I will probably go ahead and check them in the morning or Thursday since I will be going on a event ride this weekend and want to make sure everything is top notch.