Firebolt noises (again!)

[MustangGuy]

Yet another post on engine noises! I haven't posted in a while because Ive been busy with work and its been too damn hot here in my garage to do much of anything. I've had my bolt for a year (and a couple thousand dollars later - mostly the carbon fiber pieces) and I have yet to encounter another Buell. I part of (actually I started) a riding group in the Palm Springs, CA area. We go on lunch rides and sometimes day trips. In August we are going to ride to Long Beach overnight. I love my 'bolt but I can't trust her yet, so usually I'm on my Ninja. Most of my buds ride new Harleys. I took the 'bolt out on a short trip last week. My Harley buds had not seen her before and they were like "damn that's a loud and cool-looking bike but it doesn't sound right." I'm not sure they are experts just because they ride Hogs. Yeah their Harleys have loud pipes but they don't shake as much and the engine noise is minimal. I've been told that Harley has been building engines with counter-balance shafts but I dunno if it's true.

My concern about the engine noise was a "tack-tack-tack" that wasn't there when I bought the bike last year. It makes what I think is the normal "wok-wok-wok" in the lower part of the engine and sewing machine noise in the upper part. If you're not listening specifically to the engine, the bike sounds like "potato-potato-potato" (American pronunciation LOL). I haven't ridden her it in two weeks and although I didn't take it out today, I ran it for 20 minutes and did not hear the "tack-tack-tack" noise. It's 110 here so the engine was definitely "warm" to say the least.

I know some of the forum members have referenced sound clips but they all sound alike to my ears, so I figured I might as well just describe the sounds. There's a very reputable "V-twin" shop not far from my house. It's not a Harley dealer ... in fact, none of my Harley buds will go the local Harley dealer here. I guess they got tired of paying a fortune for service and being treated rudely... go figure. Needless to say, I would never want to have to take the 'bolt to them... I'm not even sure they would work on it. So, I was thinking of just bringing the bike to this other shop to check it out. Am I being paranoid?

 

[rchuff]

The buells make noise when engine gets warm or hot you hear everything mite be a little paranoid but if you have the money it would not hurt to have someone listen to it.

 

[MustangGuy]

That's my thought too. Too bad I can't find a fellow Bueller around here. I've seen maybe two on a couple of occasions. Glad to have this forum though!

 

[Slostang]

The loud tapping noise is probably just the fuel injectors firing. The injectors on my bolt are quite noisy.

 

[rchuff]

On these bike you hear the lifter and pushrods and upper end. sometimes it sound like a hammer on metal (ding, ding, ding.) This forum is great you have many people to take too.

 

[user_deleted]

I've been told that Harley has been building engines with counter-balance shafts but I dunno if it's true.

the H-D twin cam 88 cube motor was brought to market in 1999. the same motor with an internal counter balancer was brought to market in 2000 and called the twin cam 88 cube beta motor or 88B. initially for softails only, later used in alot of other models. still in use to this day. a wonderful motor but has nothing in common with your buell motor.

 

[rigger4343]

When I first got my XB9R last year, I thought she was going to blow on me. It made noises from everywhere and she still does.

She has not blown yet and runs like a champ. I am not scared to ride mine anywhere.

 

[MustangGuy]

the H-D twin cam 88 cube motor was brought to market in 1999. the same motor with an internal counter balancer was brought to market in 2000 and called the twin cam 88 cube beta motor or 88B. initially for softails only, later used in alot of other models. still in use to this day. a wonderful motor but has nothing in common with your buell motor.

I would say then that comparing my 'bolt's motor to my those of my Harley friends' is like apples to oranges. None of those guys really know how to turn a wrench anyway - LOL!

When I first got my XB9R last year, I thought she was going to blow on me. It made noises from everywhere and she still does.
She has not blown yet and runs like a champ. I am not scared to ride mine anywhere.

Yeah, I need to stop worrying about the damn noises and just ride her!

Thanks guys!

 

[demonator_xbFirebolt]

Hey guys I have a 2003 xb9 firebolt and I just started making a idk a little knocking sound.. this video you can really tell the sound apart from any other noises thanks http://youtu.be/XnSxvdByE2g

 

[seth86]

mine makes a noise just like that but not so loud

 

[nicholas900]

The engine in the Buell shakes around a lot more than the newer big twin Harleys. Rubber mount Sportsters seem shake just as much.

I have a Softail with the 103B. It hardly shakes at all. Totally different motor. Apples to hand grenades.

Call the noises character!