Upper engine tapping

My 05 Road King Custom has an upper engine tapping noise coming from left side when it's at operating temp at all rpm's.  It started when I got on it too hard. I adjusted the primary thinking the noise was traveling thru the case. I changed the oil on both engine and primary but there is something out of adjustment. I'm thinking the rocker arms lash is out, but are they adjustable if that's what's wrong? I am pretty hand with a wrench, just steer me in the right direction.  

It's been a while now, and no responses.No one knows how to turn a wrench on a bike or what?  

I also have a '05 rk custom. I get the same tap noise. From everything I have read on other forums, it appears to be normal... although, I am still suspect. I will be doing cams in my bike within the next two weeks. I am wondering if it might have something to do with the lifters and stock pushrod length? I will be using adjustable pushrods, so if this is the cause, I should be able to emliminate it after the install. If I can find this thread, and it solves the problem, I will let you know...  

have you changed the cams if you have in some cases you have to clearence the rocker boxes  one more thing i have run into as well on the left side is check to see if your compensator sprocket is loose have found that many times and it is on the left side if you have ajustable push rods one may be loose if they are h-d two turns is proper adjustment just make sure you bring it to top dead center before you adjust them  phattail  

I have the same noise in my 05 Road King Classic. Sounds like something metalic that is fluttering a bit, right? Had the noise when the engine was stock, and I recently changed to gear driven cams and can say the noise is still there. I hear it at operating temp and when the engine is under load. Asked the shop if it could be the oil breather valve (just a guess, cause that's what it sounds like) and they said no way. It doesn't seem to affect anything, but I do hear it too! Engine has been bored, new cams and adjustable pushrods, and a Fueling Super Pump, so we can eliminate all that!  

Okay, think I have a clue on this one. May even be able to solve it!
That noise that sounds like pebbles hitting the fins, a fluttery sound that happens when the engine is hot, is actually engine ping. Most common cause is low octane gas. (Particularly common problem now that most gas is being blended with Ethanol).
Here is my setup: 2005 Road King, bored to 98", heads worked, 10.5:1 compression, S&S 570 cam, Rinehardt True Duals, Power Commander III USB.
Here was my fix: Identify where the pinging is occuring, in my case 2400-3200 RPM range, most consistent at 2800 RPM. Note RPM and approx throttle position (20-40%) I accessed the PowerCommander and retarded timing in those ranges, i.e at 2000 and 3000 RPM within the 20-40% throttle positon range. My ignition timings are now set to (-2) at 2000, -1 at 3000).Pinging gone and no noticable difference in performance.
My next step is to install a Zippers ThunderMax with the AutoTune. I'll let you all know how that goes. Hope this helps someone!  

I have the ThunderMax and I love it. I was told by a Harley mechnic that lowering the compression ration is one way that many builders are avoiding the pinging proble, Even a 95" build with cams and headwork doesn't need to exceeed 10:1 on the TC engine. That's waht I was tols anyway.  

I picked up on the part where you said "I got on it too hard."  Does the noise become more obvious as the bike heats up?  If you stop in traffic is it more pronounced until you get rolling again?  
The reason I ask is this:  With around 300 miles on my new Ultima 127" I got stuck in rush hour traffic, pratically walked the bike for 4 or 5 blocks and it got hot.  When traffic broke I made a run for the gap and really got on it.  And out of nowhere came this metallic rattle.  From that day to this the noise has never gone away and it gets really bad if the bike starts to overheat.  I've always said that I stretched the wrist pin bore or bores and needed to replace the pistons.  Right now that motor is sitting on an engine stand not 20 feet away from me with the top tore down while I wait for my new pistons to get here.

I stretched the pin bore in both pistons causing the pins to eventually seize up and the pistons to lay over and scuff the cylinder walls.  Never lost oil pressure and it didn't blow up but it was gonna get me. I put close to 2700 miles on it after I hurt it.

I too thought it was valve train noise until I adjusted the pushrods and it didn't help.  No gloom and doom here, just something to think about as you work your way up the trouble shooting ladder.  Good luck and I hope it's something simple for ya.  

Hey I Got A similar problem if not the same w/a 1983-88" shovel head ,did you hear the guy talk about engine Temp  ! so here's what im doing  I'm getting a oversize oil cooler my bike doesn't tick till the temp gets over 185 and when she gets to 220 its like being inside of big Ben  I put Lucas oil treatment and that helped allot  ill report back in a couple of weeks w/results ********** I'm not a very good mechanic but I'm good w/a wrench & commen sense and obviously the problem is more then oil temp and this is only a temporary fix to a much bigger problem so all input is welcome Thanks