| Author | Message | ||
     Mattl |
Ok, coming from a background of rebuilding muscle car engines, I'm just not used to the valvetrain noise on these Buell/HD engines. I have always been under the impression that valvetrain noise = bad. A friend of mine commented the other day that my xb sounds like an old VW bug. Almost had to hit him. Anyway, on the way home today, it seemed a bit louder than normal, like some pretty considerable rocker/pushrod chatter. So... how much noise is too much? I thought these engines didn't require valve adjustments. Is that true? It's still under warranty, would it be worth a trip to have it checked out? Or should I just get a louder muffler?  Thanks for any input. | ||
| M1combat |
If it stops making noise... Worry . How many miles? I think the general consensus is that they get louder and louder until about 7K miles. A good 20-50 synthetic will quiet it down a tad. | ||
| Davo |
There is no adjustment needed, The lifters are hydraulic. Just keep telling yourself that noise is just vibration at an audible level. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Wait til you replace the Buell cams with some aftermarket ones as the stockers are fitted for passing noise regs.Aftermarket not concerned with that,throw in some Jim's lifters,adjustable pushrods, roller rockers and the mechanical noise is scary. | ||
| Khollister |
Yeah, it's going to seem pretty loud compared to a typical V8 motor. Part of this is a HD-wide thing due to the low pressure, high volume oiling system & how that works with hydraulic lifters. The Sportster family of motors adds to the noise as well due to the 4 gear-driven camshafts - they are usually set up a little loose and you get some lower frequency noise from that. It's a Harley thing - just ride it. Keith | ||
| Xring |
It takes some getting used to. I also had a friend tell me my Buell sounds like a VW Bug. He was referring to the exhaust note, though. Good luck, Bill | ||
| Mesafirebolt |
I had the same concerns 12,500 miles ago with my first Harley/Buell. The "music" is still there and nothing has fallen off (except a few screws on my chin fairing???) 1. Just get used to it! 2. Buy a louder muffler so you cant hear it 3. Wear ear plugs | ||
| Barker |
I used to be concerned until one of my good buell buddies told me: "When it stops sounding like a blender full of nickels start worrying." | ||
| Glitch |
Once you're good and used to it. Hop on the bike in a parking lot, and ride around with your helmet off. You'll have that feeling of it falling apart all over again. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The comparisons to a VW engine are completely valid. The are both air cooled engines and the valvetrain is not that different. I like the anachronistic nature of our engines. In the 1970's, the mechanical watch industry was decimated by quartz watches. Everyone wanted them because they were more accurate and cheaper. Over 90% of the mechanical watch companies went bankrupt during this time. Who would want one of those "old fashioned, old tech" mechanical watches anyway? Now everyone wants a Rolex, Omega, Breitling, AP, or Zenith watch. All are mechanical. Tag, who has gone almost completely quarts, has revised the venerable Heuer mechanical line. Why? People realize that there is simple elegance in old tech! I like having an old tech, clattery, weird bike that confounds the hell out of modern sport bike guys (especially when they can't make my weird HID light disappear from their rear view mirror!). | ||
| Djkaplan |
Ha! I won't even buy a quartz watch. It has to be automatic or a wind-up before I'd even consider it. I never made the connection between my enthusiasm for mechanical watches and aircooled, pushrod engines. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I've always been intrigued that given a wind up and a little lubrication a box with about 125 metal bits slinging around can tell me the time within +/- 5 seconds a day. I love that given a little gas and lubrication, our bikes can sling us down the road effeciently and effectively. Do you think Frank Mueller would make a V-Twin? I know Tag Heuer made a V-Four:  Check this out! http://www.tagheuer.com/the-collection/concept-watches/monaco-v4/index.lbl?v=7879044E-F739-464E-97AA-4349B6019BB2 | ||
| M1combat |
That's my favorite watch of all time... Are they produced yet? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
M1, Sure. You want the price? | ||
| Mattl |
Thanks for the input guys. That is what I figured, since all Buell's I've seen so far had pretty loud valvetrains. Lovin the bike, just wanted to make sure it was gonna' grenade between my legs. | ||
| Djkaplan |
My favorite watch is a glass back Longines pocket watch I've had for years. I can stare at its jeweled movement for quite a while, marveling at the ingenuity and precise complexity.  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I have a 1973 Breitling Super Ocean Caliber 12. It was part of the Willie Breitling estate. Here is what the movement looks like:  |
