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[JC]

Anyone else with the 2011 SESG2 notice a lot more valve train noise?
My 07cuse2 that I traded in had 10.5:1 pistons, adjustable pushrods, and 251 cams, it was really a quiet engine by 110 standards.
Sounds like the SG rocker boxes need clearanced. I thought they addressed that problem. I didn't think I would have to grind on another set of rockers.

[mjb765]

Anyone else with the 2011 SESG2 notice a lot more valve train noise?
My 07cuse2 that I traded in had 10.5:1 pistons, adjustable pushrods, and 251 cams, it was really a quiet engine by 110 standards.
Sounds like the SG rocker boxes need clearanced. I thought they addressed that problem. I didn't think I would have to grind on another set of rockers.

Sounds like someone on the assembly line left their keys inside the rocker boxes at about 2500 RPM...yeah..I've got that noise......Everyone who listens to it says "mine does the same thing" and 2 dealers don't hear anything abnormal for a 110" motor.  Glad I have the extended warranty....

[JC]

It sound to me like the perfect fit push rods aren't such a (perfect fit).I will check my rockers this winter to see if there are still clearance issues.

[keno]

I am disgusted with my 2010 SESG and the top end noise from 2200 to 2800 R's. I hear it more in the front on the primary side and it is at the rocker box, still loud at the rear rocker box. I can hear the clatter at 70 on the road....SAD. The dealer says this is one of the quiet ones...BULL####. I am about to tear my $32000 bike down myself and find the problem then hand the torn down bike to them to fix and put back together. I can live with the transmission clatter in neutral that goes away when I pull in the clutch but the valve train noise is intolerable!
ANY HELP BROTHERS BEFORE I RIP A GOOD MACHINE APART?     

[2harleys]

Only help I can offer you is knowing you are not the only one. I have the exact same noise (and other noises also). Waiting for snow to fly before I drop it off at the stealer.

[mjb765]

Only help I can offer you is knowing you are not the only one. I have the exact same noise (and other noises also). Waiting for snow to fly before I drop it off at the stealer.

If they come up with a fix, PLEASE POST!!!!!

[Heatwave]

I've upgraded my top end with headwork, roller rockers, adj pushrods with Woods 408-6cam. The engine is really chattery on the top end. Typical sewing machine but much louder. I've been told the best solution is going with the new Woods hydraulic lifters http://www.woodcarbs.com/dirlifters.htm

Supposedly, these will result in a very slight power increase and a much quieter engine. Was planning to do it this winter. What do others think?

[grc]

I've upgraded my top end with headwork, roller rockers, adj pushrods with Woods 408-6cam. The engine is really chattery on the top end. Typical sewing machine but much louder. I've been told the best solution is going with the new Woods hydraulic lifters http://www.woodcarbs.com/dirlifters.htm

Supposedly, these will result in a very slight power increase and a much quieter engine. Was planning to do it this winter. What do others think?

Sorry to possibly burst the bubble, but in my experience there is nothing magical about the Wood lifters.  The first set in my engine were total junk and would bleed down as soon as you shut the engine down, then bang away for 5 miles after a cold start.  The replacement set from Wood wouldn't even fit properly in the bores.  A nice little note in the box indicated that they had found a few sets that didn't fit but that was due to some engine cases that weren't machined right from Harley and you might have to grind or machine your new $260 lifters and/or the pins to make them fit.  Yeah, right.  The stock lifters fit fine for the first 25k miles, the first set of Wood lifters fit the same holes, but the second set wouldn't fit and it wasn't their fault.  Needless to say, I now have a set of stock Harley lifters back in the engine.  And they cost about $150 less than the Wood parts.

I have a sneaking suspicion that all the various brands of lifters are made by the same little Chinese guy, and the only real differentiation is in the hype used to sell them. 


Jerry

[VANAMAL]

after reading all the good things about ams lifters i got a set and have been very happy. read what they say about about how they are made
http://www.automotivemachine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=53

[mjb765]

after reading all the good things about ams lifters i got a set and have been very happy. read what they say about about how they are made
http://www.automotivemachine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=53

But is the motor now quieter than stock??

[Heatwave]

But is the motor now quieter than stock??

That's my main question as well.

My stock lifters with the valvetrain I'm currently running is really noisey. I'm familair with running hi-lift cams on my bike but this is even louder. Mechanic that heard it sound it's louder than most other bikes he's heard and thinks the new Woods lifter would quiet the bike significantly over the stock one's.

[HD Street Performance]

The 110 motors do make a little more valvetrain noise then a 96" but why wouldn't they? Even when there are no issues the valves are very heavy, the springs to control those high pressure. The cam is very short and I can't verify this but I suspect has relatively fast ramps.
A lifter change to the Woods part would need adjustable pushrods to get the proper preload recomended by Wood.
My 117 with 110 heads and a Wood 408 runs reasonable quiet but that took a lot of gear and setup to make it happen.

When the bike is hot pull the dipstick and look at the oil in the tank and on the stick for signs of air entrained. If you see that no lifter will help you.
Cooling the motor down by tuning and no CAT and higher viscosity oil (or at least one that has a higher Viscosity Index and holds its viscosity hot) will help.

All of that said, the bike is new.
Get the dealer to fix it if there is something mechanically wrong and the motor is noisier than the average 110.

[keno]

Well...I live out in the country, I started my bike tonight and did not let it warm up, rode it down the road at 55 to 70 and for the first two miles the top end noise is almost zero, as it warms up the tic starts and is all from the top end, more on the rear rocker box. The bike is my best so far...I just need to find out why I have clatter after warmed up? It is not piston slap, sounds like the valve spring to valve cover or rocker arm slop??

[harleyguynv]

Well...I live out in the country, I started my bike tonight and did not let it warm up, rode it down the road at 55 to 70 and for the first two miles the top end noise is almost zero, as it warms up the tic starts and is all from the top end, more on the rear rocker box. The bike is my best so far...I just need to find out why I have clatter after warmed up? It is not piston slap, sounds like the valve spring to valve cover or rocker arm slop??

The 255 cams are noisy period, especially when the motor warms up. I have tried 2 different cams in my 07 110 and the valve train was much quieter with both of them compared to the 255'. I personally like the 255's better due to the fact of the low end power between 2200-2800 which is where I ride most of the time. I wonder if there is a gearing difference between my 07 and the newer SEUC.

[dartman]

The 255 cams are noisy period, especially when the motor warms up. I have tried 2 different cams in my 07 110 and the valve train was much quieter with both of them compared to the 255'. I personally like the 255's better due to the fact of the low end power between 2200-2800 which is where I ride most of the time. I wonder if there is a gearing difference between my 07 and the newer SEUC.

When I went from an 07 to an 09 there was a big difference in drivability ,my 07 had a 2.79 final drive and the 09 utilizes a 2.875 which IMHO is about perfect I think they finally got it right, Sixth gear pulls great and take offs two up require very little clutch slippage.