Engine Tapping From Cold??

[Busa Greavett]

When I got my Gen II it was really only a matter of weeks that I heard a faint tapping noise from the engine on start up and for a short while before warming up.

Was a little worried thinking that it would be just my luck to get a lemon, with a factory engine problem.

However, a work colleague of mine also has the tapping noise, but his is conciderably louder than mine, and lasts for a lot longer.

It's gone when it's warmed up, but it really doesn't sound all that good???
Sounds like a tappet noise, but they aren't hydraulic so it's a little worrying? Just seems odd to me that we have two bikes with noises??


Any one else having tapping noises on warm up??? Only one single tappet? Suzuki, you better not have f****d up my bike!!! ha ha!!!

[kawasuki]

When I got my Gen II it was really only a matter of weeks that I heard a faint tapping noise from the engine on start up and for a short while before warming up.

Was a little worried thinking that it would be just my luck to get a lemon, with a factory engine problem.

However, a work colleague of mine also has the tapping noise, but his is conciderably louder than mine, and lasts for a lot longer.

It's gone when it's warmed up, but it really doesn't sound all that good???
Sounds like a tappet noise, but they aren't hydraulic so it's a little worrying? Just seems odd to me that we have two bikes with noises??


Any one else having tapping noises on warm up??? Only one single tappet? Suzuki, you better not have f****d up my bike!!! ha ha!!!

Try adding some Militec to the oil ,its very good protection for cold starts etc.

[VNSVLE]

I have been told that the cam chain adjuster is hydraulic instead of the old ratchet system and will continually adjust accordingly and this is what causes that rattle at start up. The 1000 has the same set up and is just as noisy.
Correct me if i am wrong because i have the same noise and this is what the dealer told me. I haven't really looked much into it myself.

[BUSGO]

I understand that the cam chain adjuster needs the oil to be at pressure to set.
When my bike starts from cold after a few days rest, you can always here the chain snap into place after the first couple of seconds.

When cold, my K8 starts and idles at about 1500 rpm for the first couple of minutes and then the idle resets to about 1100.
On the Gen 1 bikes, the owner's handbook said that you should run the bike from cold at at least 2,000 rpm for two minutes, to allow the oil circulation to take effect.
I reckon that following the recommendations on this matter is essential for long engine life.

Running Synthetic oil in a busa engine, increases the engine noise as well.
The Mineral/Synthetic blend is the recommended dose.
The engine is powerful enough without the need for chasing an extra hp or two by running pure synth.

[TimF]

Yeah I am familiar with that tapping noise.

I reckon it's fuel related. I have noticed that using a particular servo near my house results in the tapping sound, but another servo does not. So I started going to the latter servo consistently and have not had the sound while using their fuel. When I went away over Easter, I noticed the sound return as I used another servo's fuel.

As with you, the sound goes away as my bike warms up.

[Glaz]

Yeah iv had my k8 three weeks and clocked up 1400km.
I noticed this tapping sound this morning quite load to but it goes away after a couple of minutes still a bit of a worry.

I had the first service done and a blown fork seal fixed under warranty last week other than that shes running excellent.

:aussie

[Maj]

Camchain tensioner is ratchet with oil pressure helping set the pressure & damping any flutter that would wear the ratchet prematurely.
once at the correct tension it shouldn't get any looser or you would risk piston/valve contact from skipping teeth.
But cold pistons will be slightly looser in the bore and be noisier,less smooth running when cold may make the BTL rattle a little more many other parts need to be up to temp to work there best.
Basicly there is a reason you should warm the bike up before flogging it..