Motor has a fast tapping noise

[hulagun]

Right on startup my Black Panther has a rapid ticking or tapping noise that goes away pretty soon, about 15 seconds or so. It's not a rumble or gravel in a can sound that I understand may indicate a rod knock or bad crank.

It does not sound electrical like a solenoid cycling. It's too fast, and slightly muffled so I think it's coming from within the cases. It could be a starter sprag dragging or sticking. But I am thinking it is either the hydraulic cam chain adjuster before it pumps up, or a loose balancer chain.

The motor doesn t seem to suffer and I am not finding metal bits at oil change time.

Any one else's 660 have this clicking noise?

Ivan

[keithcross]

Hi

You can rule out the hydrulic cam chain tensioner as the bike does not have one fitted. The 660 can chain tensioner works via a spring.
It sounds more likely to be a cam/tappet noise, maybe a slightly loose tappet, or one cam face may be being starved of oil.
It might be nothing at all to worry about.

Keith

[Brian]

I'm with Keith.......too heavy of oil for the bay area winter, old gummy oil, a journal slightly plugged ?? low oil.......tappet outa wack

[phlat65]

since they are not hydraulic zero lash lifters, the noise should stay, and not go away very quickly. does the noise change when you drag the clutch in gear while stationary (to load the crank) ?

does the noise go away if you put it in gear and dont go anywhere ? (isolate to trans)

if the noise is not affected by changes in engine load or riding then it is probably not bottom end or trans, and you could limit it to top end or a starter sprag clutch or something thats load is constant.

if the noise changes with change in loading, then suspect bottom end or trans. put a timing light on it, and see if the noise frequancy (sp.) matches firing cycle (1/2 crankshaft speed ).

these things can help you track it down. any abnormal noise should be found. metalic noises are BAD!

[hulagun]

Phlat and others-

Thanks for the tips, I will check them out tomorrow if it's not pouring rain. I wanna eliminate this tapping if it is a problem.

As I said it goes away real quick so it's hard to do much testing. I plan to use a stethoscope and try to isolate where it is loudest.

BTW the comment about the hydraulic cam chain tensioner was given me on the Baghira list, I didn't question the sender... glad to know it's a good old fashioned spring type.

Noise is no better or worse after recent oil change, but maybe after a few hundred miles it'll go away. This was my first oil change since I bought the bike. Previous owner may never have changed it - he claimed dealer service on it once a year.

I think the 20w50 I used is fine for SF in winter, the hot level is right. Coolant level cold looks OK.

Two guys on the MZ List have mentioned their bikes also do this and have run fine for years.

Ivan