Hi Guys;I've got a noise in the bike and I don't know where to start looking, I can't isolate it when I'm riding. Here's what's happening. The motor runs fine and pulls hard,no clutch slip. But since this noise it has become hard to start. The starter engages but is just lazy. when hot it won't turn it over(sometimes). Last night I had to put it into 5th gear and rock it, after that it fired right up.New oil and new battery.There was nothing in the old oil, no fillings.

THE NOISE. I don't hear it when I'm throttling up only when I let off the gas suddenly or clutch to shift in all gears. When in nuetral with the bike running I can give it gas and there is no noise until I let off quickly.Then it sounds like marble in a bucket. One more thing I've noticed is that I don't hear the decompression clicks like I used to when I start it. At one point I thought the noise was comming from the pipes, it's really hard to Isolate. So I'm thinking, Valve spring broken, ring broken, clutch spring or plate broken, wrist pin slap or decompression solenoid acting up. I suspect the clutch but I'm not sure it seems to be working O.K. I'm going to start it and get my stethoscope on it this morning. Any idea's or thoughts?

Thanks Jim

Just a shot in the dark, could the noise be coming from the front pulley? I know some guys on here have had it come loose on them making weird noises and such

This might have something to do with the decompression solenoid. I don't have any first hand experience, but I've read here where it'll chatter(loose marbles), and it's in the right area for the sound seeming to come from the pipes. It would also account for the problems with it not wanting to start even though the battery etc, is good.
See what others suggest.
There is a way to bypass it when the cover is off it, and the bike doesn't want to start. Your supposed to be able to manually operate it with your finger, and then start the bike.
I'm sorry i don't have any better details. I haven't tinkered with it yet.

What air filter and pipes are you running? Has the bike always made this noise, or is it a new development? Have you made any recent mods?

I have owned my bike since September, and it has always made this same noise. I am 95% sure it is coming from the pipes. I have V&H Longshots and Baron BAK. The noise drives me crazy, but from what I can tell it is the way it sounds with this set up.

SKWEARpeg, you have a similar set-up to mine, you don't have a "jake brake" or "marble in a bucket" sound on decel? Could this be because you bumped up your pilot jet size?

Keep us updated if you figure out the issue.

Nope. I'm good.
I'm leaning toward the decompression solenoid, mostly because of the hit and miss starting issues when it gets warm. There've been several different threads about this, but the weekends are a bad time, because everyone is out.
Somebody recently, even had the cover off the solenoid when it went to chattering. I can't remember what they did to solve it.
I am assuming, that the marble in the bucket sound, is the solenoid chattering, and not decel popping.
It was either Curt, or DocShadow that was talking about leaving the cover off so they could start their bike.

SKWEARpeg wrote:
Nope. I'm good.
I'm leaning toward the decompression solenoid, mostly because of the hit and miss starting issues when it gets warm. There've been several different threads about this, but the weekends are a bad time, because everyone is out.
Somebody recently, even had the cover off the solenoid when it went to chattering. I can't remember what they did to solve it.
I am assuming, that the marble in the bucket sound, is the solenoid chattering, and not decel popping.
It was either Curt, or DocShadow that was talking about leaving the cover off so they could start their bike.

Hmmm.... maybe this is my issue too...there have been a few times where my bike has not wanted to start when warm, but I didn't really think much of it because it would start up fine on the second try.

The sound I get isn't really a popping sound either; more of a rattle. If anyone can point firefox and I in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm probably way off base with this, it was just a guess.

I think the normal answer for "my motor is making noise", is to "get louder pipes.
If the solenoid was chattering, I'd think that it would do it all the time instead of just on the decel when shifting etc.. Mine starts fine when its warm. It doesn't snap to like it does when its a cold start, but It doesn't fail to start.

Did a bit of research, and it sounds like you may be right. I just took a look at my solenoid, and it was not closing all the way after start up. So I gave it a good spray with some lube and bent the spoon back toward the bike a bit so that it would close all the way. A very easy fix. Here's to hoping it will solve the noise issue. I'll chime back in after I get a chance to take her out.

Firefox1, if your solenoid is sticking, it is a 5 minute fix. Worth a look anyway.

Thanks for the help SKWEARpeg!

Took the bike out last night and I still have the noise issue. FIREFOX1, I think this may be your issue, though. Look into it and let us know.

Okay. I have the same BB's in a cup "marbles in a bucket" etc. noise, on the decel,...ie tweaking the throttle when the bike is sitting, and or when letting off the throttle shifting gears. Its coming from the exhaust. I believe it is just an exhaust noise.
Whether its just baffles that are close to the sides of the pipes, rattling with the decel vibration, agitation, or however you want to call it, or just what, its there. May well just be a noise related to the V&H's.

Its just another tune for the Roadie Symphony. A cacophony of happiness.