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Ticking at startup

5K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  BSUCardinalfan 
#1 ·
Anyone else get some ticking noises for the first 30 seconds or so on a cold start?

Mine has started this within the last 200-300 miles. goes away after a bit of idling, and isn't present on a warm start.

oil level is fine and bike has about 3,000 on it, so it has been 2500 since the last oil change.
 
#3 ·
If the ticking noises are coming from the valve train then it is normal on cold start-up until the oil gets flowing. I would be more alarmed by a valve train that was too quiet; if valve clearances are lost then valves can burn out, the reason for clearance checks at 20,000kms. Make sure you are using fully synthetic 10w-40 MOTORCYCLE oil which has additives in quantity to protect transmission gears and cams, never use car oil. - Wayne
 
#7 ·
In all probability it is your cam chain tensioner. The later model triples have oil-fed tensioners which take a little while on a cold start to come up to pressure.

If in doubt though, have the shop check it out.


S.
 
#9 ·
got the call today, dealer said they had to 'adjust' the cam chain tensioner.

my question should have been, 'isn't it self adjusting?'

so will I need to continue to worry about this? bike is under warranty at this time, so they certainly should not try to charge me for this 'adjustment'....but it doesn't seem like the kind of thing a bike with 3,000 miles on it should need 'adjusting', does it?
 
#10 ·
The stock cam chain adjuster can be pulled, cleaned, re-installed, and re-set but you are correct it has no "adjustment" as they are using the term.

As I have mentioned in other threads given the junk (sealant and aluminum shavings) I found contaminating the ratchet, spring, and pawl mechanism in mine I would think that cleaning the unit would most likely solve the problem for most and allow the unit to properly self adjust. I wouldn't be too concerned but the proper procedure for a improperly functioning cam chain adjuster is to replace it.

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#11 ·
got the bike back and rode in to work today. it is definitely quieter once it is warmed up, but still made a pretty good racket when I started it this morning (to be fair, it was only about 45 degrees in my garage this morning....)

still sounds to me like it is clacking around until oil gets up to the lifters, but it goes away pretty quick. I have a lot of warranty left so I'm not terribly worried about it.
 
#12 ·
still sounds to me like it is clacking around until oil gets up to the lifters, but it goes away pretty quick. I have a lot of warranty left so I'm not terribly worried about it.
Good theory but the Striple does not have hydraulic lifters.....
Over night the oil will drain down to the sump and for a moment or two the top end will run dry as the oil pump first circulates around the system.
Be sure your oil is the correct weight and spec-and don't worry.
The cam chain is mechanically adjusted and may, (for a little while as it is close to the next notch but hasn't quite reached it) run slack and be noisy.
That effect should never last long.
 
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