|———————————— Videos by IronMick ————————————|

Noises??? Here's my 1978 Anniversary Edition followed by my 1980. IMO this is the sound of a well tuned, good running IronHead. You can hear each of the parts of the IronHead symphony at various times in the video. Listen for the exhaust sound and the valve train. Listen especially when the camera is close to the engine, both sides… ^{1) 2)}

The 1980 IronHead became extra noisy about 40,000 KMs after top and bottom rebuild. Replaced cams; bushings and bearings good. Chains, push rods adjusted. Oils, tuneup good. No leaks. Conclusion: this is the sound of a well adjusted, well tuned IronHead. A symphony of cams, solid lifters, push rods, rockers, valves and valve springs.

Mileage??? This video is from May 19, 2012 (with mileage rolling over 99999.9_to_00000.0). Speedo read 35137.3 miles by June 4th, 2015. ⁵⁾

Earlier videos of the 1978.

1978 Ironhead transmission on the bench rolling in the different gears.

Click Here to read the full thread.

First part of video shows the setup: starter in bench vice, -ve battery cable connected to the starter case at one of the long bolts, +ve battery cable not connected.
In the second part of the video the +ve battery cable is touched momentarily to the starter motor stud. This motor runs.

• Bench test: Click Here to read the full thread (Refurbish and Bench Test Starter Motor).
  • Starter motor firmly held in a vice
  • Vice firmly clamped to workbench
  • Battery cables used [8 gauge], not simple wires
  • Jumper starter motor mount bolt to battery -ve
  • MOMENTARILY jumper battery +ve to stud on starter motor

It sounded to my ears like an air leak….a repeating squeak, and it is cyclic but does not sound rotational. Also it was most noticeable at the rear rocker cover/cylinder head area….. a chirp. In diagnosing the air leak (beneath the cooling fin directly beneath the new plug hole), I could practically fly a kite at the spot of the leak. After finding it I stuffed a kleenex in there and it muffled the sound.