Common engine noises

[Bama_77]

Is it common to hear a slight tapping when a bike is idling? I readjusted my valves which were a tad off. But still getting the tap..It goes away when the engine speed is raised..So that tells me it isn't a knock..But is it normal?

[PainterD]

What bike? What model? Posting pictures is a good idea too!
My 1100 has a "ticking" noise sometimes (just a slight sound) but goes away when it warms up. No big deal. They are known for that.

[Scuba77]

Check your header pipe bolt/nut torque. Sometimes the pipes can make a sound similar to valve tap, and if loose enough you may also get some exhaust popping.

Of course you should check all the nuts and bolts on the bike maybe once a month or so since V-Twins tend to shake just a bit.
I've had my shifter loosen up on my VT-1100 and the header bolts occasionally needed torque, a friend saw a bike loose it's kick stand bounce and hit another rider in the face.... you get the picture. Lastly two words when re-torquing; Blue Loctite.

[LedRobster]

Originally Posted by PainterD

What bike? What model? Posting pictures is a good idea too!
My 1100 has a "ticking" noise sometimes (just a slight sound) but goes away when it warms up. No big deal. They are known for that.

Mines the opposite it nice an quiet at start-up and then ticks when warmed up at idle but not at higher rpms?

Tip for new riders: If ya hear a rattling sound, make sure it not the big ass bunch of keys you have on ya key ring LOL

[RBinTEX]

Originally Posted by LedRobster

Mines the opposite it nice an quiet at start-up and then ticks when warmed up at idle but not at higher rpms?

I have one of the new Phantom bikes and since it was new I have had a strange noise that seems louder in the clutch area than anywhere else.

I've checked the valves myself just to eliminate that part, the local Stealer hears it too but has been unable to pinpoint the noise area precisely but did leave a letter in my file that it had been in several times for the noise.

Just in case there is a bad problem developing.

The bike runs fantastic and performs like it should but the noise is getting slightly louder as time goes by and more miles are put on the bike.

I can hear it at idle if the engine is hot and by putting it in gear and holding the brake and easing the clutch out to put pressure on the plates the noise goes away.

So...I think it is just clutch rattle but I don't know how much 'rattle' is normal and what is too much.

Of course the Stealer keeps telling me that it is normal but I have never been beside another Shadow of any kind to hear it run at idle.

I guess I need to run down one of them and give a listen!

The bike is over a year old and out of warranty and doesn't seem to be harming it but it is disturbing to me to hear it.

Almost embarrassing coming from a Honda in my opinion.

Bought my first Honda in 1982 after a lifetime of riding Harley's, the first in '53 at the age of 12.

Have never gone back!

[Bama_77]

It is a 2000 Shadow VLX600 CD..It only shows 23K on the odometer.And according to the title odometer reading it should be right...I have no keys or a key ring..So it isn't that.I have felt for an exhaust leak andf listened and found nothing, I also checked the bolts when I adjusted the valves.

[LedRobster]

While doing a coolant change, I filled the bike up with tape water and ran it and the ticking was way quieter when fully warmed up, OK so I had to drain the tap water and replace with Coolant now that tapping is back and the coolant is boiling out and pissing out the reservoir, but this issue is in another thread, my point is my ticking must be due to overheating as id does not do it when cool at first startup only when hot, so if I can get the cooling system sorted out I may have solved my tick issue, especially after trying different oils latley

[BluenosePlaya]

The last couple of mornings I've noticed that the exhaust of my 2001 Spirit 750 makes a loud POP at startup, but it only seems to happen when cold and I store it in the basement.

Any thoughts?