My Thruxton with approximately 500 miles has a ticking noise at idle and lower rpm’s.
Sounds very much like a bike needing valve adjustment. Before pulling the cover to check the valves which would be strange at this low mileage I thought I would ask if this sounds normal.
Not new to air cooled engines and strange noises they make so this could be nature of the beast.
I thought of timing chain noise but the beat is too regular for that.
My bike does this also. Its really noticeable at around 2500 rpm at steady speed or decel. Ive listened to 3 other thruxtons and 2 bonnies and they sound quiet. I also thought it sounded like a valve thats loose. lt doesnt sound normal to me. let me know what you find if you pull the cover.
__________________
" you've obviously mistaken me for a man with hopes and dreams.."
Have it checked out by dealer during your first service but it probably is just the cams/valves as they are a little on the noisy side, but that is normal. Engine & wind noise at higher rpm help mask it.
__________________
Be a "weekend warrior" 7 days a week, 365 days a year!
Areg, your not used to a ticking noise and you own a Moto Guzzi V11? Remember, almost all air-cooled pushrod motorcycle engines have a ticking noise from the valves and it is nothing to worry about. However, if it is something out of the ordinary and something that just develops and is louder than usual it could be something to take notice of. Even though I find noisy valves irritating, I at least know that they are doing the job and are not set too tight which could be a problem.
The rocker to valve stem (bucket) gap / lash is there to compensate for expansion of the metals at operating temperature. It should close down to near zero with a fully warmed engine, but if you set them too tight it would hold the valve slightly off its seat and burn your valves out in no time - there is some extra gap allowed, i.e the "tick".
Two reasons it is not as noticeable in a liquid-cooled motor:
1. The liquid around the head/cylinder muffles the noise.
2. Liquid cooling controls the engine temp better, so clearances can be narrowed with confidence by the manufacturers.
You wonder why the Ducati desmodromic is so expensive to service?? They set the closing rocker to zero clearance.......a couple of thou out either way and your motors cactus!
Hydraulic valve lifters like in your car adjust the lash to zero automatically. Some bikes have them....HD's I think and others.
The guys in the bike shop will be able to tell just by sound if all is ok when you go for the first service.
Fit some Madaz pipes and you'll never hear the bug gers again!!
Slowpoke, Strangely enough my V11 is not too loud in the ticking department.
I suppose with an overhead cam engine I assumed the Thruxton would be quieter. Or maybe finding Honda parts on it made me think it should also be as quiet as a Honda.
Linear Mode
