Vaquero engine noise out of storage

[haygrrr]

Just got my Vaquero out of storage yesterday and it had some crazy engine knock for a good 20 min at least. It did go away completely but do I need to be concerned? Never had this happen on any bike I've owned when starting for the first time in the spring.

[mnbk]

My 2011 Voyager does the same thing. It went away like you said after a little bit. I'm in Minnesota and store mine for long periods of time like you. This happens each year when I get it out. All the oil had drained to the pan and it takes some time to get into the upper area. I don't worry about it but just let it run for a while and ride it gently until it goes away (usually after about 3-5 miles).

[dshelly]

Maybe Kawi ought to incorporate a way to prime the oil pump for after winter storage.

[Dunknd]

Mine did the same thing on my Voyager and the first time I heard it I knew something was wrong. It went away once the engine warmed up though. From what I read it's pretty normal.

[haygrrr]

Thanks everyone. Rode again today for 40 miles and noise still gone so chalking it up to cold winter and oil needing to circulate.

[bigdave]

Its the lifters not pumped up yet. when they started my bike for the first time it made the same noise

[ringadingh]

A good ride will get things running smoothly, it usually takes at least a couple hours of steady running to get everything warmed up nice.

[RACNRAY]

When an engine is shut down for extended periods of time there will always be some valves in the open position. The constant spring pressure against the hydraulic valve adjusters over that long period will eventually force oil to bleed out of the bleed holes in the adjusters.

It will take some time for the air to bleed out and be replaced by oil to reduce valve lash to zero. As long as the noise stays away all will be well.

Occasionally starting the engine during long periods of storage (if possible) will help to keep the adjusters pumped up and minimize (or possibly eliminate) the time it takes to pump them up.

RACNRAY

[blue knight 5]

It took me a minute to figure out what winter storage is, we do not do that here.

[George]

It took me a minute to figure out what winter storage is, we do not do that here.
That's not nice for us that have just waited 6 months to see our bikes again :bird:
Back when I had my 1300 voyager, I brought it out of storage started it up and let it run for 5-10 minutes to warm up, threw on the helmet jumped on the bike pulled the clutch in dropped her into first and that bugger launched itself forward and damn near crapped my pants, never had the clutch stick before. A little bit of riding up and down the street with the clutch in and she broke free