Valkrie engine sounds

[Jre257]

Hello,just a quick question,is the valkrie supposed to have,like ,clock sounds,for best description.In other words you heat the workings of motor? Mine is 99 interstate,runs great,has 42k miles on it.Other than running a bit rich,it runs good.Have no other bike to compare to,as we know all bikes have their own sounds,lol.It is not knocking,pinging,etc.One rider on this forum mentioned that you hear " clock" sounds like the parts working,if you understand  me.Changed oil,timing belt,new plugs.

Thanks!

[Jess from VA]

All my clocks are pretty quiet, except for some ticking.

All hot engines tick, when shut off.

Valkyries have a whole collection of sounds, like gear whine (from square cut gears), shifting clunks, occasional brake pad noise (or dragging on the rotors), sometimes the forks clunk, the seat often squeaks.  One time my ticking turned out to be a small pebble in a tire tread (pushing it around).

I think you need to be more specific than clock sounds.   And more localized, if possible.   

[Jre257]

Yes thanks,I guess what I mean is you can hear some ticking ,and mechanical gear noise,I mean I checked my valve clearances per the manual,all.good,maybe I am just used to the voyager,yea you are right after all it is not going to be just exhaust sound,you are going to hear " engine" noise.I am being to anal I am sure,it is just a nice bike,and I like preventive maintenance to head off any issues,I am sure it is me,there are no rod noises etc.It is just my weirdness, lol.

Thanks for responding.

[Jess from VA]

I was not trying to be critical of your question. 

One can try to localize noises (if worrisome) by using a stethoscope, or a foot of hose, or a long screwdriver on a running engine, moving around and listening.  The Valkyrie does make a lot of different noises, even when everything is working perfectly.  Perhaps your best bet would be to try and hookup with some other of our riders, for a ride, and a listen. 

The first time I ever rode with a bunch of Valks, I thought my bike (with stock exhaust) was blowing up.  It turned out to be a bunch of guys with Cobras (6 X 6 pipes) and glasspacs resonating away like crazy.

I'd heard loud exhaust many times, but never anything like that. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

If your exhaust header nuts are loose you will get some extra ticking noises. Just snug is all you need, don't reef on them. If your bike hasn't been desmogged the pair valves have been reported to make ticking noises. I never really noticed them though.

[SCain]

Does it go away when you pull in the clutch?

[Jre257]

Thank you,no I did not think you were being critical at all,and I appreciate input.Here is additional info.

1.Yes one of the noises seems to change when clutch pulled.Clutch is working well.

2.Yes ,header bolts thought of that,I will need to change.

3.I thi k really it is probably me,especially after i read that it makes a variety of noises,which I can see,you have the straight cut gears,and of course other mechanics involved.

Thank you again.

PS ,lol yea bike runs good,very powerful no matter gear,so much torque that as just an experiment,you can start out I. 5th gear,lol,just did once just to see.

[Tfrank59]

I have no ticking on my bike and I've been riding it for 5 years and 60k. I do have this whirring sound that I know comes from the timing belts it's not really loud either. If my engine did develop a ticking noise I would suspect the valves unless of course it stops when you pull the clutch in

[Jre257]

Well,several exhaust nuts loose,like turn,turn and and half,bike sounds quieter

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well,several exhaust nuts loose,like turn,turn and and half,bike sounds quieter

check them again after 200 miles.