What causes the strange "clackity" sound on the intakes?

[grampi]

I've wondered this ever since I've had the bike. When I bought it, it had a ram air kit on it. I've since installed the 3 separate K&Ns, and it makes this sound with both. Do any of you know what causes it? It's actually louder than the TORS exhaust...

 

[warp9.9]

Turning the ignition on and starting the engine

Seriously though I would suspect your hearing the valves harmonics from opening and closing at high speeds. The old air plenum and filter under the seat muzzled the sound.

 

[Bob R]

It's the sound of the slower bikes you are passing being sucked in and spit out.

You should hear the noise a Road Glide makes when it get sucked in, more like a boom, clang, clang, spit!!

bob

 

[Jag]

Your driving to slow if you can hear that!

 

[Lifelong Biker]

I have the same noise since I installed the ram air, some call it crickets ( sound they make sounds like crickets chirping ) I agree with what Warp9 said about the stock plenum muzzells it. I have just been living with it

 

[Ugarte]

The Clackity is music to my ears.

 

[R-III-R Turbo]

It's a pity the rocket intake sounds so gay when opened up. I had a v twin before with k&n pods and it's intake sounded so deep and throaty when the throttled was rolled on.
There was also a phooooshhh sound when u b lipped the throttle

Ah well the old plenum will quieten down the crickets and leave me with a spooling sound

 

[Rick Morris]

Its the sound of 3 small block Chevy pistons making vacuum and power.

 

[sleeves]

Horsepower crickets furiously peddling, learn to love the sound

 

[tdragger]

Affectionately known as the crickets.