Motorcycle Repair: FLHS valve train noise, tappet noise, train noise

Question
Hi Mike.  I've got a 91 FLHS that I bought recently.  It has tappet noise.  I adjusted the adjustable push rods per your instruction, but it's still annoying.  When I listen with a stethoscope, the tapping is faint at the lifters, but loud at the rocker covers.  My question is, can the sound travel up the pushrods and be louder at the rocker covers, or will the problem be in the rockers? Since I can replace the lifters without taking the rocker covers off, I want to make sure that the lifters are the culprit, or should I be checking under the rocker covers.  Thanks.........Bill

Answer
The tapping is from the valve lash at the rockers, not the lifters, so you will hear the noise more there. You can remove the rockers and check them, but changing out the lifters will help your problem. A better lifters will keep a tighter fit to the rockers.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike