Consider your bike a Late model 00 bike... Stock, it came with the needed upgrades...
With all that has been done with that bike, Just changing the lifters Might be a good thing...
I could put up with a rattle from the lifter. Problem I would have is to Find the faulty one.....:small3d023:
Lifters in today HD's, are not of good quality, not lasting long.
IF you have a noisy lifter and want an easy way out, buy a new set of lifters Sug; SnS standards will do good ... about 130ish $ for 4..
Not uncommon for a lifter to bleed down in a week or two BUT I have not had that problem for many years.
I have replaced my 09 king lifters several times over the bought from new bike.
Preesently using Delphi from Don Dorfman (head porter up in Wa. State)
I have had Good lifters in that bike as they were "B" lifteers. Todays HD AND replacements by HD are "C" lifters made in Mexico and Not the best quality.
Why HD doesn't put in or go back to the "B" lifters is beyond me...
Lifters can easily come out*** and IF they are in OK shape, and just one bleeds down to make your annoying TAP problem on start up.
***Taken apart and cleaned... Just a Minute piece of carbon/dirt may have gotten inside and allows it to Bleed down sitting and Not pumping up like a clean/not worn out lifter does... They ALL can bleed down but usually early to pump up when first oil pressured up starting motor...
One of the Best Oil Filters IS a Lifter... What dirt goes in Doesn't come out Unless taken apart and cleaned.
By far, a new set is the easiest... IF you have good oil pressure and use a quality oil... 20/50 synthetic is good Unless in a Cold area then there aree options...
Oil is like a Religion you know,,,,, The one you believe IN is the one to Use...
Good luck finding the tic... I'd still go the new route...
signed....BUBBIE