engine noise : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

VRSCR · 04-16-2009, 03:21 PM

I bought a wrecked 1996 XL1200. I repaired the cosmetic damage and then one week later my girlfriend crashed it. I have since repaired it. Now after it gets warm it starts making a ticking sound in the front cylinder. Its not a exhaust leak. It is full of oil. I am thinking that maybe it ran on its side for a while during the 2 crashs and has something damaged in the motor? Could the lifters have been damaged? It runs great and has lots of power.
We are going on a week long ride and I dont want the motor to let loose in the middle of nowhere. Other wise I would ride it till it fails.
Any suggestions as to my problem? I was thinking may be lifters, or rocker assembly wore out? Please help.

RattFXR · 04-17-2009, 09:26 AM

A sporty can be ran with almost no oil for awhile, so I wouldn't think running on it's side for 10 secs will hurt it. It can run for much longer because of the float bowl. The best way to figure out where the sound is, is by using a stethescope or a piece of fuel line. If it starts to tick after warm up, it might be a lifter. Try using a straight 50 weight oil, if the sound goes away, you probably have a lifter that is getting ready to give up. Oh, does the bike have adjustable pushrods in it? Also, a ticking sound can be a head gasket failing. And you don't want that shooting out the side! If it does end up being a gasket, get Cometic MLS. Good luck, I'm sure someone else will have some good advice too.

VRSCR · 04-17-2009, 10:38 AM

The sound is most definatley in the front cyl. The bike ran for quite a while on its side in both wrecks. Like about 10-15 minutes. I have tried several different weights of oil. As well as STP and several other oil additives. The bike has Cometic muti layer gaskets already. It also has great comp. What else could I check?

RattFXR · 04-17-2009, 04:17 PM

Who let's a bike run on its side for 10 mins?! That's crazy. Everytime I wreck, that's the first thing I worry about, my scoot.

I wish I could give you another alternative to check. But if it's the standard "ticking" sound, then it's probably a lifter giving up. The onlye way to find out is by changing it I guess. I can usually hear which one it is by comparing it to the exhaust. But if your going to change one, you may as well change them all. Lifters, adjustable rods, and new tubes. Cut the exsisting pushrods and tubes with bolt cutters and pull out lifters. And install all the new stuff. Better then taking the rockerboxes off, and easier.....

VRSCR · 04-17-2009, 04:50 PM

Ratt, I dont know what I would do with out you! Thanks so much for your replys. When I did this motor for the owner that first crashed. He was killed on the bike. So I dont think he was interested in running over and shutting the key off.
I bought it, repaired the cosmetics and got my girl on it. When she crashed. The bike was over 100 yards from were she landed. When I came on the scene I was more interested in tending to my girl who was knocked out and unresponse. with massive head injury. So NO it was not of any interset to me to shut the bike down.
The motor has Buell heads, KB pistons, andrews cams and adjustable push rods, as well as Cometic gaskets. I have been thinking it was the rocker shaft tolerances may have been compromised beeening it ran on its side for so long. But your right. I do need to at least try new lifters. Being that they are most likely the stock as delivered in 1996 lifters still in the motor. I will try that then give a update. And Thanks again for the response.

RattFXR · 04-17-2009, 08:16 PM

Sorry for not takin the rider's in to consideration. I'm such and ass.......hope your lady is ok. I never think about that stuff if it's not mentioned. I hope the lifters fix the problem. I'm sure you knew that all along and didn't want to face the reality of it though. Atleast you don't have to buy pushrods and tubes..... But if the bike has that much bad luck, maybe you should sell it!!!!!!

What cams are you running? I put N4's in my old sporty but kind of wish I would have went with the 6's or 8's. I miss that bike, rock solid reliability. My FXR is a pain in the ass sometimes. It WILL stomp some scoots but at the prices of belts, clutches, primary chains, etc. But lots of fun. Can't wait for the day I meet a VRSC in traffic.

ChromeWelder · 04-17-2009, 08:26 PM

I know this will not be helpful. After reading about the death of the previous owner, and the serious injury to you girl friend I'd get away from that bike as far as I could. And soon.

VRSCR · 04-18-2009, 08:12 AM

Its not the bike its the riders. Both were VERY inexperienced. TThe bike does have some balls for a 1200. 75hp with drag pipes. That was at a recent dealer dyno shootout. Even with the loud ticking it puled 75hp. I am pretty happy with that.
Back on topic. I got home last night and was looking over the bike. It then dawned on me. I am going to have to pull the rocker boxes to replace lifters. Remember the pushrod tubes on those XL'S had one piece push rod tubes!

VRSCR · 04-18-2009, 08:15 AM

Rattfxr- Forgot to mention if you ever come up on a VRod with a NC tag "VRSCR" have your lunch packed! My little 1130cc VRod runs high nines in the 1/4 mile at over 135mph. Street tire,belt drive,stock wheel base. =>

RattFXR · 04-18-2009, 09:18 AM

Well if you ever come up on a FXR with NC on IT's plate, and the tank says, "Ratradamus" be prepared for an Evo that will nip at your heels! I have always wanted to run a V-rod. I only travel up to Jacksonville, NC though.....

Back on task, well I guess it would have made more sense to put three pieces tubes in it when you had it apart!? How would you use the adjustable pushrods? Were you drinking when you built this bike?! I hate when that happens. My buddy and I were replacing head gaskets on his bike, and some how managed to put 883 gaskets on a 1200. Ill tell you what, that makes some racket....

VRSCR · 04-20-2009, 10:09 AM

Its been about 3-4 years since I was in the motor of this bike. I generally use adjustables in everything. I had to of used the one piece jobies in it. I will have it apart this week. Then I will know for sure.

Next time your in Jacksonville NC give me a call. Its only 60 miles north of me. I run the track in Jacksonville (coastal plains raceway) about once a month.

RattFXR · 04-20-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRSCR

Its been about 3-4 years since I was in the motor of this bike. I generally use adjustables in everything. I had to of used the one piece jobies in it. I will have it apart this week. Then I will know for sure.

Next time your in Jacksonville NC give me a call. Its only 60 miles north of me. I run the track in Jacksonville (coastal plains raceway) about once a month.

Hopefully it'll be soon. I miss all my buddies up there. Being here kinda sucks. You must be down in the Wilmington area. I use to race my drag car at that track. Lot's of good times had there..........I'll definitely PM ya when I'm headin that way. I was just up there two weeks ago..

VRSCR · 07-19-2009, 09:41 PM

Finally got to get into the motor. I purchased new lifters(aftermarket) I installed the new lifters and when I started it back up it sounded worse than it ever has. I removed a top rocker cover and noticed no oil to the top. Removed oil line to input of oil pump. Plenty of nice clean oil. Pulled down the pump and it looks fine. Pulled off out put line and removed oil filter. Blew air trough it. Good. Blew air past filter center and oil check ball. Had lifters out and could feel air blowing out the case in the lifter holes.
So far I believe there is oil pressure from pump and no restrictions to the lifters. Installed the lifters with the holes facing the oil passage in the block. Installed push rods,assuring that I could blow air through the tubes. Installed rocker Assembly's and started the motor to see if I could see oil spraying out the rocker box area. With the bike running and my snap on oil pressure gauge showing a little over 10psi. I am not getting oil to the rocker boxes. And I don't think the lifters are being pumped up either because the top end is clicking/tapping. I have changed out oil filters and lifters in case they were faulty.
Please help!

VRSCR · 07-21-2009, 09:18 AM

Could there be some kind of air lock?

route66paul · 07-21-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChromeWelder

I know this will not be helpful. After reading about the death of the previous owner, and the serious injury to you girl friend I'd get away from that bike as far as I could. And soon.

I had a friend that bought a shovel that had been raked by idiots. There were 3 people that had gone down bad on this bike(I think because of the bad rake). He had it rewelded, painted and had it's new name put on the tank, "three down".
All I really want to say here is that that bike didn't keep that name long, and it wasn't a pretty ending.