Hooray! Noise finally gone!!!

cactusjack · 02-20-2010, 12:09 PM

As I have mentioned before, I've been fighting an annoying rattling noise for months. It was some kind of harmonic thing. When I'd hit a particular speed (usually around 45-50 in 4th gear) it would start. Give it gas or lay off the throttle and it would go away. Sometimes hitting a bump or crack in the road would get it started.

Last night, I decided to remove my MC Enterprises front fender rail. It has been cracked for some time and I thought maybe that would get rid of the noise. Yup, it worked. The rail is hollow tubing, but it has solid steel reinforcement inside the tubing. Turns out it had broken all the way through the tubing.

Just took the bike out and no more rattle!

**Top Cat** · 02-20-2010, 12:18 PM

Damn, I thought I was going to find out where my noise was coming from but I don't have a fender rail, so your post is useless

to me anyway ;)

**Jared** · 02-20-2010, 12:33 PM

Ive heard of several of the front fender rails breaking. It's too bad because they look nice.

**cnc** · 02-20-2010, 01:17 PM

I thought they looked nice too and was at some point going to buy one. I guess I'll just save the cash and concentrate on OEM rattles.

Bet it fells good to finally have figured it out though.

blowndodge · 02-20-2010, 01:31 PM

Just wait until your next ride Scott! You'll find that it's BACK!!!!!

Nothing gets fixed easily....

**Cajunrider** · 02-20-2010, 03:46 PM

I finally found mine after tightening every nut and bolt over a period of months. Darlene has much better hearing than I do and could never hear the rattle. The visor on my helmet was the culprit. Funny how with ear plugs it sounded like an rpm rattle coming from below the tank.

cactusjack · 02-20-2010, 04:32 PM

Does anyone know which chrome fender tip fits best on the 1600 front fender?

ells · 02-20-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Does anyone know which chrome fender tip fits best on the 1600 front fender?

I'm happy with the ones from National Cycle. They are a little expensive and leave exposed screw heads. Installation requires drilling holes in that beautiful otherwise perfect front fender and need to be careful not to drill into the tire, some people take the fender off. I just used a wood block between the two. Also, the supplied screws can be too short, I bought longer ones. I recall these issues being discussed here before by others.

**coacha** · 02-20-2010, 06:47 PM

I found out why mine had a rattle today too...I rode solo and didn't hear a thing ;)

**Idaho** · 02-20-2010, 10:30 PM

Hey Scott, Glad that you found the source of your aggravation. good on you.

radco · 02-20-2010, 10:51 PM

CJ, Great info and FYI Fender Tips can whislte/buzz as well. insulate w/silicone and no mo

dennisbailey · 02-20-2010, 11:59 PM

I'll keep that in mind in case I ever develop a rattle. I have the front fender rail and love it. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it never breaks. Anyone else had a problem with their front fender rail?

AlabamaNomadRider · 02-21-2010, 02:33 AM

Congratulations CJ.

**Cajunrider** · 02-21-2010, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachA

I found out why mine had a rattle today too...I rode solo and didn't hear a thing ;)

**jmorrow** · 02-21-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachA

I found out why mine had a rattle today too...I rode solo and didn't hear a thing ;)

Know what you mean, "I bought my rattle her own Nomad" now I haven't any more rattles.

02-20-2010, 12:09 PM	#1
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! As I have mentioned before, I've been fighting an annoying rattling noise for months. It was some kind of harmonic thing. When I'd hit a particular speed (usually around 45-50 in 4th gear) it would start. Give it gas or lay off the throttle and it would go away. Sometimes hitting a bump or crack in the road would get it started. Last night, I decided to remove my MC Enterprises front fender rail. It has been cracked for some time and I thought maybe that would get rid of the noise. Yup, it worked. The rail is hollow tubing, but it has solid steel reinforcement inside the tubing. Turns out it had broken all the way through the tubing. Just took the bike out and no more rattle! __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-20-2010, 12:18 PM	#2
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! Damn, I thought I was going to find out where my noise was coming from but I don't have a fender rail, so your post is useless to me anyway ;) __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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02-20-2010, 12:33 PM	#3
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! Ive heard of several of the front fender rails breaking. It's too bad because they look nice. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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02-20-2010, 01:17 PM	#4
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! I thought they looked nice too and was at some point going to buy one. I guess I'll just save the cash and concentrate on OEM rattles. Bet it fells good to finally have figured it out though. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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02-20-2010, 01:31 PM	#5
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! Just wait until your next ride Scott! You'll find that it's BACK!!!!! Nothing gets fixed easily.... __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-20-2010, 03:46 PM	#6
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! I finally found mine after tightening every nut and bolt over a period of months. Darlene has much better hearing than I do and could never hear the rattle. The visor on my helmet was the culprit. Funny how with ear plugs it sounded like an rpm rattle coming from below the tank. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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02-20-2010, 04:32 PM	#7
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! Does anyone know which chrome fender tip fits best on the 1600 front fender? __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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02-20-2010, 06:47 PM	#9
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! I found out why mine had a rattle today too...I rode solo and didn't hear a thing ;) __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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02-20-2010, 10:30 PM	#10
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! Hey Scott, Glad that you found the source of your aggravation. good on you. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
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02-20-2010, 10:51 PM	#11
radco Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dedham Maine Posts: 4,199	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! CJ, Great info and FYI Fender Tips can whislte/buzz as well. insulate w/silicone and no mo __________________
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02-20-2010, 11:59 PM	#12
dennisbailey Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: St. George, Utah Posts: 248	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! I'll keep that in mind in case I ever develop a rattle. I have the front fender rail and love it. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it never breaks. Anyone else had a problem with their front fender rail? __________________ Luck is the residue of hard work.
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02-21-2010, 02:33 AM	#13
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Hooray! Noise finally gone!!! Congratulations CJ. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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