Triumphrat

VogonPoet · 09-13-2009, 07:10 AM

My '03 America has always had quite a bit of top-end 'chatter' even when it was brand new. I always accepted the chatter as being normal, and so far it has been perfectly normal.

However, yesterday I took the bike for a 60+ mile ride down some country roads and about half way through the ride the chatter got significantly louder. Also, at about 50% and higher throttle I could hear a loud high-pitched "ping-ping-ping-ping-" noise from the top-end that seemed to be in time with the cylinders. The new noises are not audible at idle.

I should mention that the bike was not particularly hot during this time, I think.

The bike has 15,000Miles on it and I don't think the last owner had a valve adjustment done. From what I understand, these bikes should have an occasional valve adjustment, but I don't know the interval.

Do you think the noise I'm hearing is related to needing a valve adjustment? Or is the problem something else?

Thanks.

Gregger · 09-13-2009, 08:33 AM

You are way overdue for a valve adjustment. The clearance typically increases between the cam and valve shims on these bikes. Once the adjustment is done, the noise will drop considerably.

Another thing to consider is replacing the anti backlash springs on the cams once you have them out. They are cheap and do prevent additional top end chatter.

Normandy · 09-13-2009, 11:03 AM

Gee, I was going to say the engine warmed up and the oil is thinner ?

americana · 09-13-2009, 01:43 PM

My 08 with 6500 miles dose the same thing . what caught my eyes was the oil cooler lines were close to the headers to where you couldnt even place a finger between the lines and the pipes . I lossened the lines going into the head and moved them up and the noise has been considerible less

Gregger · 09-13-2009, 05:27 PM

Posted this on the other post and will put it here also.

First off, check to see if your header nuts are tight and you have no exhaust leaks.

If that doesn't help, I would recommend taking the valve cover off and checking the valve train. It isn't hard. Here is what one fellow did to track down a noisy valve train which ultimately was an anti backlash spring acting up.

http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...Valve%20Noise/