OK.. yes.. I do hear that noise in mine.. I test drove a Road Star and that same noise was unbearable.. the 2 cylinder engine sounded like an electric hedge trimmer... I asked 3 shop guys there about it and got 3 different answers.. "didnt hear it" .. "it goes away" .. "its the square cut timeing gears, get louder pipes"... It´s less noticable on the Royal Star 4 cylinder engine.. but you can hear it.. an 88 sounds better.. but Im still happier with an engine thats properly engineered and counter balanced.. Eddie