Ironhead Push rod or Tappit noise?

[Doc o]

I'm still getting used to my 72, with all its noises, so take this with a grain of salt.
The indy just adjust my push rods but the front set sounds louder than the rear. A ticking sound.
Should I expect this noise or should they be adjusted again.
It runs fine with no problems.
Thanks

[IronMick]

There should be a ticking sound, especially if they are adjusted on the loose side of the spec. If you follow the instructions in the Sticky, and listen with a mechanics stethoscope, the exhausts will tick a little louder then the intakes.

Take a read thru the Sticky. You can check the pushrod adjustment without changing anything. It would be a good idea to do this yourself. Then next time you would be ready to do the adjustment yourself.

Ironhead Push Rod Adjustment
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...ad.php?t=44143

[ezmerf]

Why did you have them adjusted in the first place?

[chief]

ironheads (ih/ih's) are loud and noisy M.Fers.. and i'm not talking exhaust sounds..
rule of the thumb is: direct after adjusting the pushrods must sound the same.
after some driving they will sound slightly different from each other.
mostly it seems like the rear is loudest(just a tiny little bit). with the ticking sound that is..

go to the stickeys they are marked in red, and see how you can adjust the pushrodes yourself. it's an easy job, and the way as mentioned over there is far better than by the HD maintenance book.

edit.. ironmick chimed in.."the guru"..so i was too late..

[nativebroncofan]

Man, makes me whonder what stereo sound sounds like.
I'm envous. Trying to hear all that in one ear.
ShadowDog500's vidoe on you tube is a good reminder as to visual procedures as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S2qbld6m-c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S2qbld6m-c

NBF

[Doc o]

I should have said that I had them checked and adjusted if needed.
I have seen the sticky on adjusting and since it's raining the next couple of days it sound like a good time to do it. I guess I can start with the front just to see if they realy were adjusted.
Thanks fellas.

[GA_Ironhead]

There's nothing much easier than adjusting the tappets on an IH. Trying to figure out how to get the tubes open and closed again is an experience the first time, but other than that, it's a cake walk.

[IronMick]

One thing to remember, if adjustment is needed, is that the split locknuts do not have to be really really tight. I think about 10 ft lbs or firm plus a little more will do it. They should be tight but not cranked on.

If they were last done by a tech who was not familiar with ironheads they may be too tight and will have to be loosened up carefully. I had to use a needle nose locking plier with the 7/16" wrench on one set.

[darwin-t]

As long as we're on the subject, what IS the easiest way to get those keeper off and get them centered when put back on?

[IronMick]

There is the spring retainer [full round piece, fits over the spring] and the spring keeper [half round, holds the retainer down]. I presume you are asking about the keeper.

I use a flat blade screwdriver, insert it into the loop, and give it a twist. They just pop out. If they do not then i push down on the retainer with an open end 3/4" wrench and apply the s-driver.

To insert i insert the keeper top end first, and pry it into place with the same flat blade screwdriver.

The problem i have installing the keeper is that for the front intake [rear intake on my previous bike] the retainer tilts as i am pressing down on it, then it catches on one of the cooling fins, and will not move. To solve that i slide the lid of a plastic yogurt container [with the edge trimmed off] between the p-rod and the fins. Then everything just slides into place.

Then remove the plastic, eh.