Help loud ticking noise. - Page 2

redjay · 07-18-2017, 08:35 PM

I used to park my Voyager for 6 months over the winter and I never had an issue with noisy hydraulic lifters in the Spring.

vangaans · 07-19-2017, 02:09 AM

Thanks for the lifter info redjay, much appreciated.

otter · 07-25-2017, 12:52 PM

I got to listen to mine on its very first startup after being unboxed in 2015. Before the mechanic hit the Start Button he said... just be ready, this is going to sound horrible, the lifters have bled down.

Vroom! Claaaaaaaaaater. For a good 20 minutes.

Now she does it guaranteed after sitting all winter and sometimes after sitting for two weeks a week or a day. Shows up at random during the riding season. Always goes away within 15 minutes of riding.

Have pushed the dealer on this and their answer was, "sure! we'll put new lifters in if you kick enough, but you might not see any difference at all. How long would you like your bike tied up for?"

Demolition Man · 07-25-2017, 01:20 PM

Mine did it also, after parked for three weeks last year. Went away after a few miles riding. Half a year later, I changed engine oil from 10W-40 semi-synth (which was filled at the kawi dealer during the service) to the thicker 20W-50 dino oil.
Both are oils which meet all the things the kawi manual says.
This year (first time with the same long 3 week period in summer, same place, still on the kickstand, leand to the left side), nothing happend. I mean, no clatter, or any other noise.

So, in my opinion the thicker 20W-50 dino oil reduces the bled down of the lifters. If you don't ride below 0°C/32°F, you should change oil. It is also way cheaper here than that semi-synth crap.

IMO synth or semi-synth in modern high-tech engines is a must, but the 1700 engine construction is so old, that it will run better with a thicker oil, especially during high out temps.

BUT that is only my 2 cents . . .

Cu,
Sven

gmer140 · 07-25-2017, 11:59 PM

Good info on your issues guys. I ran 20-50 motorcycle oil, not kawi oil in my 900, seemed to perform well. I did notice manual calls for 10w40. In michigan I won't ride when it gets below 50, she will be in shed then.

**MAS Tequila** · 07-29-2017, 08:44 AM

Like Ray said in another thread, These bike don't have lifters.

They're overhead cam engines, the rocker arm rides on the cam lobe, no lifter involved.

Now to keep maintenance down MaKaw put a Hydraulic Lash Adjuster into each rocker arm so there is no need to remove the head cover every so-many miles and set tolerances.

Check the ebay link at the bottom to see what one looks like.

I installed a 1600 engine one time that clicked and clacked like crazy on start up.

All but one HLA pumped up and quieted down after a few minutes.

To deal with the one, I put 2-3 ounces of SeaFoam in the oil and let it run.

After a few minutes it started making even more noise, then all of a sudden it got as quiet as a church on Wednesday morning.

The SeaFoam cleaned out the varnish or speck of dirt or whatever was keeping that one HLA from pumping up properly.

If you have one that is a clicking somewhat, just run some SeaFoam through before your next oil change.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-VUL...hZclIz&vxp=mtr

07-18-2017, 08:35 PM	#16
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,927	I used to park my Voyager for 6 months over the winter and I never had an issue with noisy hydraulic lifters in the Spring. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-19-2017, 02:09 AM	#17
vangaans Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia Posts: 66	Thanks for the lifter info redjay, much appreciated. __________________ Bikes I've owned over the last 30 years... 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan Vaquero (current ride). 2016 Kawasaki Versys 1000 (traded for the Vaquero). 2012 Triumph Thruxton 2010 BMW R1200RT 2010 BMW K1300S 2009 Honda Deauville 2008 Triumph America 1997 Kawasaki ZX-7R 1989 Yamaha Virago 1100 1994 Honda CBR 1000F 1982 Kawasaki GPZ 1100fi 1989 Honda CBR1000F 1979 Yamaha XS 1.1 1985 Kawasaki 250LTD
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07-25-2017, 01:20 PM	#19
Demolition Man Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Hannover, Germany Posts: 380	Mine did it also, after parked for three weeks last year. Went away after a few miles riding. Half a year later, I changed engine oil from 10W-40 semi-synth (which was filled at the kawi dealer during the service) to the thicker 20W-50 dino oil. Both are oils which meet all the things the kawi manual says. This year (first time with the same long 3 week period in summer, same place, still on the kickstand, leand to the left side), nothing happend. I mean, no clatter, or any other noise. So, in my opinion the thicker 20W-50 dino oil reduces the bled down of the lifters. If you don't ride below 0°C/32°F, you should change oil. It is also way cheaper here than that semi-synth crap. IMO synth or semi-synth in modern high-tech engines is a must, but the 1700 engine construction is so old, that it will run better with a thicker oil, especially during high out temps. BUT that is only my 2 cents . . . Cu, Sven __________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb." - Benjamin Franklin MY LIFE - MY RULES ! 2018 Indian Roadmaster
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07-25-2017, 11:59 PM	#20
gmer140 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Midland, Mi. Posts: 84	Good info on your issues guys. I ran 20-50 motorcycle oil, not kawi oil in my 900, seemed to perform well. I did notice manual calls for 10w40. In michigan I won't ride when it gets below 50, she will be in shed then. __________________ Gary Midland, Mi. Retired 2016 Silver/Black Voyager 1700 2009 Black Vulcan Classic 900 1980 Black Honda CB 750K 1977 Maroon Yamaha XS 650 1975 Red Honda 360 1973 Blue Honda 175 Scrambler 1970 Black Sears 250 Road Bike 1967 Black Honda S-90 1966 Red Honda S-90 (still in shed) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-29-2017, 08:44 AM	#21
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	Like Ray said in another thread, These bike don't have lifters. They're overhead cam engines, the rocker arm rides on the cam lobe, no lifter involved. Now to keep maintenance down MaKaw put a Hydraulic Lash Adjuster into each rocker arm so there is no need to remove the head cover every so-many miles and set tolerances. Check the ebay link at the bottom to see what one looks like. I installed a 1600 engine one time that clicked and clacked like crazy on start up. All but one HLA pumped up and quieted down after a few minutes. To deal with the one, I put 2-3 ounces of SeaFoam in the oil and let it run. After a few minutes it started making even more noise, then all of a sudden it got as quiet as a church on Wednesday morning. The SeaFoam cleaned out the varnish or speck of dirt or whatever was keeping that one HLA from pumping up properly. If you have one that is a clicking somewhat, just run some SeaFoam through before your next oil change. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-VUL...hZclIz&vxp=mtr __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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07-25-2017, 12:52 PM	#18
otter Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 87	I got to listen to mine on its very first startup after being unboxed in 2015. Before the mechanic hit the Start Button he said... just be ready, this is going to sound horrible, the lifters have bled down. Vroom! Claaaaaaaaaater. For a good 20 minutes. Now she does it guaranteed after sitting all winter and sometimes after sitting for two weeks a week or a day. Shows up at random during the riding season. Always goes away within 15 minutes of riding. Have pushed the dealer on this and their answer was, "sure! we'll put new lifters in if you kick enough, but you might not see any difference at all. How long would you like your bike tied up for?"
	0