Dude... the stones hitting the fender noise IS pinging. You described ping perfectly.

You really need to bite the bullet and get a REAL tuner like PCV, TTS, or SESPT.... learn how to use it, or get a dyno tune, and FIX this issue.

Valvetrain noise sounds like a sewing machine, or a LOUD sewing machine, or a sewing machine that goes tick, tick, tick.............

 

Alpine MotoSafe ear plugs remove most all of the top end noise (plus the wind) and let the rumble of the pipes clearly come through, conversation also. I use the green filters. Always get reaquainted with my sewing machine on the short hop from the gas station to my home, i.e. w/o the ear plugs.

 

Great thing about the Road King. Take the windshield off, and the noise goes away. When I put the damn thing on, it sounds like I'm in a garment factory.
Like someone above said, the 103 doesn't like rpm's below 2000. I don't shift until at least 2500, and most of the time closer to 3000. At 2500 and above, the bike runs smooth as silk. Maybe that's why my average mileage is around 35 mpg

 

Mine has the noise at the exact same rpm. Since mine and yours are both the same color and year, must be the paint that is causing it. Dealer says it is normal. Of course most sounds are normal. Daughter and husband just bought 2012 FLHTK and it doesn't make the noise. We will be changing his to synthetic and see if it makes the noise appear. Turning the radio up and not riding in the 2000 to 2500 range helps also. If the change to synthetic doesn't cause the noise to appear, it has got to be the Scarlet red paint causing it. Their bike is Vivid Black and Blue pearl. I would really like to know what is really causing the noise, before it causes a failure to find out.

 

1 Run dino oil
2 change cams and add adjustable lifters
3 Run good premium fuel from shell, exon, 76 etc
4 add loud pipes
5 crank up the tunes
6 Smile: you payed extra for those harley sounds

 

I have a 2010 FLHTC, that I upgraded to a 103, with a S & S 583 Cam, since the upgrade I have had the Noise at 2000 RPMs and at 2800 RPMS. All gears and all speeds. It doesn't matter is in am speeding up or slowing down. Up hill or Down hill, the Valvetrain noise sounds like a sewing machine, or a LOUD sewing machine, or a sewing machine that goes tick, tick, tick.......... No noise what so ever at 2300-2600, and it seems to go away again after 3000.

I am using the Syn 3 and will try the some other oil. Seems louder when warmer.

 

This is my 1st Harley 2012 road king classic. Love the bike, super easy to ride!!! Engine makes a noise , like a tapping sound when it is not under a load. Sounds great when u roll on it. Is this nomal? What I read here it is. Love to hear y'all opinion.

 

i want to try this as well, I think they make a 20-60 vtwin oil

 

I made the switch from Syn 3 to Redline 20-50 in my 2012 103 about 500 miles ago and it significantly cutdown the top end noise. I was very impressed with the results.

 

Ok here's mine... 2012 FLHTK noise started around 200 miles.. has 1500 now.. 1000 done, amsoil syn oil, rush slipons 1.75 , super tuner, dyno, stage one.. At startup and when cold, from 2500 up it rattles like a valve or lifter. When hot and holding it around 2600 rpm , it rattles like a valve or lifter. Been to two dealers, factory rep road it and all says noise is normal.. Makes NO noise sitting in garage in neutral and revving motor. Just when its ridden and under load.. Any ideas ????? Everyone says ride it till it breaks !!!!!!!