I have a 96 in my RK and a 103 in my RGU, the valve noise seems no different although you can hear it pretty good on both bikes and certain rpms. The rumble is a definate yes, as the 103 has a deeper, louder tone for sure.

 

I got lucky my 2011 103 is the quietest twin cam I have heard and no ticking yet at ~16000 miles. that is the biggest thing that has kept me from popping a different cam in it. I just don't want to give up the quiet valve train.

 

Valve train noise is extremely loud, mostly the loud ticking at 27-2800 rpm. The whole engine just sounds loose. My 09 96" just hummed along. Then when stopped, in neutral, the neutral the neutral rattle is downright emabrassing
Gary D.

 

My 06 Ultra had a big bore kit stage 2 95 inch motor and my 103 sounds quieter. My 06 wasn't loud either I thought it was nice. Just my .02

 

I hear a ticking, clacking sound coming from the front as if something is stuck in the forks. It seemed to start around 1500 miles, Ive got about 3000 mile on her now.

 

At a certain rpm or everywhere?
Gary D.

 

Not sure. I will pay close attention to it tomorrow.

 

noise or music

Ha, you shoulda heard my ol' '57 74" Panhead.... music to my ears

 

Ha, you shoulda heard my ol' '57 74" Panhead.... music to my ears

There is a diference between music and clatter. Ya didn't mention how many miles on your 11. I would take back to dealer for a valve train adjustment if your not mechanically inclined. If it really bothers ya you could put a louder exhaust on it and really make some music. You should hear my 73 shovel with solid lifters make some music.

 

My 07 sounded like it was coming apart. My 103 is very quite.

 

My 96" is quite. Did notice a lot more noise when I put the lowers on, more so when the vents are closed. You might have a problem of some kind brewing. Has a tech listened to it or ridden it?

 

I guess I got lucky. I just traded in my 2010 RGC with the 96" for a 2012 RGU with the 103". My 96" wasn't unusually noisy, but the 103" in my RGU is noticeably quieter.

 

My 09 96 was quiet, my 11 103 is really noisy, it's actually pretty scary at times.

 

My 08 ultra was louder mostly ticking rattles , valves when cruising at 70-75, my 2012 is quiet the exhaust sounds deeper than the 08 when you give it thottle

 

Maybe it's the new "C" lifters...

 

My 2011 RGU is not bad at all considering I have 555 lift cams in it. My 02 RK, 95" Stage III is noisy with 490 lift cams. My 05 Deuce 95" Stage III is the most quiet with 510 lift cams except for the Thunderheaders.

 

Nope, I think mine is pretty quiet compared to the 96 in my EGU.

 

Don't know if your new RG has lowers installed, but as mentioned earlier they help transmit more engine noises.

 

Don't know if your new RG has lowers installed, but as mentioned earlier they help transmit more engine noises, especially upper engine/valvetrain noises.

My 2008 103 Stage 2(w/ 255 cams) is definitely quieter than my prior stock 88ci TwinCam.

 

My '11 103 is very quiet(for a Harley)-better than my '08 96 or the '03 88.It is also smoother than either older engine.
Clark

 

noisey

mine is noisey,but when you turn the radio up,and hit 75 its music to my ears!!! the fairing,sancho wings, makes it so you can hear everything

 

My 2011 103 is noisey as hell! Sounds like its going to come apart at anytime. Mine starts at 3000 RPM's if there is no load on it. If you are going up a small hill its quits until you hit the top of the hill then it starts again. If I drop back under 3000 it doesn't do it. Like I tell my friends "I'm amazed at this bike, I'm amazed I make it back home" I have 12,000 miles on it now and so far it hasn't failed yet!

 

I can't tell any difference.

 

All the TC's motors are unique in valve train noise signatures. Some noisier than others. With a stock motor and no adjustable pushrods, you have to live with what you have. The main concern is enough oil pressure/oil pump condition and crankshaft runout issues.
The lower fairings add to noise signature because they act as a parabolic microphone bouncing the noise back at you, as does the RK windshield when installed on the bike. I have built many,many TC motors in the last 10 years and each one is different, most "tickers" can be quietened somewhat with adjustable pushrods and finding the "sweetspot" in the noisy lifter(s).
Others are just plain ticky, and you have to live with it.
It's very common, and not to worry, unless it's hammering.

My new 2012 RGU isn't as quiet as my last '06 RG with the HQ113 or the HQ107, and it's currently a bone stock motor!

 

All the TC's motors are unique in valve train noise signatures. Some noisier than others. With a stock motor and no adjustable pushrods, you have to live with what you have. The main concern is enough oil pressure/oil pump condition and crankshaft runout issues.
The lower fairings add to noise signature because they act as a parabolic microphone bouncing the noise back at you, as does the RK windshield when installed on the bike. I have built many,many TC motors in the last 10 years and each one is different, most "tickers" can be quietened somewhat with adjustable pushrods and finding the "sweetspot" in the noisy lifter(s).
Others are just plain ticky, and you have to live with it.
It's very common, and not to worry, unless it's hammering.

My new 2012 RGU isn't as quiet as my last '06 RG with the HQ113 or the HQ107, and it's currently a bone stock motor!

Outstanding summary.

General OEM noise characteristics just aren't an "all are exactly the same" situation. Especially with non-adjustable push rods, an automated chain tensioner shoe that doesn't fully break in for several thousand miles, a different compensator, a longer stroke that changes mass, geometry, and dimensions in several ways, etc. etc.

Details of mechanical noise levels and types are quite variable, not only across engine change evolutions plus primary internal changes... even same year/model (and even custom built) variations are there due to the necessary range of tolerances, especially the tollerances that must be acceptable in a mass-production environment.

Let's face it - we get what we buy and if it ain't broke, don't sweat it. Besides, Harleys aren't really expected to sound like sewing machines .

 

I'm having this very same issue with my front cylinder. Starting at around 2100 RPM's them motor sounds like it's going to explode. Under acceleration and decel the rockers clatter. I loose power as well. I also have a ticking or fluttering sound coming from the right side right around where the cam cover is.

Worries me. I don't want to get left stranded somewhere.

 

Or sure what your hearing is the rocker box? You or talking about ticking it could be fuel injectors I have had mine on all the injected Harleys tick loudly from time to time more so around 3000rpm. Try Lucas fual additive it lubes the injectors and takes away the ticking.The injectors open duration changes so it delivers the fuel that the ecm thanks it needs to do what your riding at the shit gas we get this time of year may still be the epa winter blend if you check your gas milage you should notice that your milage is 2 to 4 miles a gallon less. If you think it realy is in the rocker box use a addetive on your next service. I syn. oil so I use half qt. lucas syn. stabalizer. Any way 3to 6 oz. of lucas fuel add. first and let me know if it helps you may have injector that needs replaced.

 

Since I installed Woods 555's I have a lot of noise between 2300 and 3000 rpm other then that all is quiet (relatively speaking). Turn up the radio.