Sound like a tappet rattle

Regin · 01-30-2018, 11:14 PM

When I started my 1700 Nomad there was a sound like a tappet rattle in the motor, this went away after about 5km or so and hasn't returned.
Anyone have any idea's on what could be the cause.

Ridefree · 01-31-2018, 12:22 AM

To put in simply , our motors have hydraulic lifters . If your bike has sat for awhile it's normal for some of the oil to drain out which would cause a tick or knock . Once the engine has warmed up and has filled the lifter with oil it should go away as yours did . Now if the knocking doesn't quit then that would be a sign of a collapsed lifter and would need replacing .

When I fire up my Nomad in the spring it knocks like crazy until it warms up . Then it's good to go . I don't hear it until the following spring .

Hope this helps ....

**buckey1313** · 01-31-2018, 12:52 AM

I agree with Ridefree same here when I start mine up in spring sounds like it will fall to pieces really with the knocking sound. In all due time it does settle down to the normal 1700 deep humm with no rattle at all.

**MAS Tequila** · 01-31-2018, 05:15 AM

There are NO lifters in these engines.

We have Hydraulic Lash Adjusters on the cam followers.

The HLA's keep our engines from needing to have the valve lash set and adjusted.

They take up the slack in the valve train.

And yes, it sounds like one of the HLA's leaked down and took a while to pump back up.

Ridefree · 01-31-2018, 08:06 AM

Thanks Mas , I'm no mechanic and didn't know the correct term for what we had on our bikes . I appreciate the correction . The one thing I love about this forum is the fact that there are always members here that teach . Now I know something new as well .

**MAS Tequila** · 01-31-2018, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridefree

Thanks Mas , I'm no mechanic and didn't know the correct term for what we had on our bikes . I appreciate the correction . The one thing I love about this forum is the fact that there are always members here that teach . Now I know something new as well .

No problem.

Stop by this weekend and I'll show you a 1600 MeanStreak engine in pieces.

I started pulling it apart last night.

What looks out of place in this picture?

Ridefree · 01-31-2018, 12:39 PM

I wish I could , if I lived down the street from you I'd be over with a case of beer or whatever is to your liking and watch you through the entire process . I've never had the opportunity but sure would take it .

I'll bite , My answer ... Not a clue . First time I've seen the inside of a Kaw engine .

Spondulas · 01-31-2018, 02:04 PM

I've never seen the inside of one either, but I'll take a guess. Looks like the connecting rod is sitting at an odd angle with respect to the crankshaft lobe.

**MAS Tequila** · 01-31-2018, 03:47 PM

The con rod is fine, it's an optical delusion.

Look in front of the water pump chain.

Ridefree · 01-31-2018, 04:17 PM

I'm guessing that the steel shaft in front of the chain is either worn down or something has sheared off the top of it . I'm also curious about the hole to right of it .

BobBear · 02-01-2018, 11:04 AM

The automatic cam chain tensioner has been known to do this. Especially on Nomads. Once it has tensioned itself, the noise goes away.

mike07nad · 02-01-2018, 02:17 PM

And the nice thing is with the 1700 engine is a totally different beast from the 15/1600. You very seldom hear of an engine issue. (Although, I did have a rare rear bearing go amuck)

magicgrotto · 02-01-2018, 02:30 PM

Wot ever is sat at the side of the chain looks out of place & Battered ! & summat looks like it broke off at the rear bottom right (sticky out bit LOL)

**MAS Tequila** · 02-01-2018, 11:52 PM

That is a rod bolt the somehow came loose and off, then got wedged between the crank and case.

I discovered that the front piston, the one with the missing rod bolt, has a broken skirt.

Both cylinders look immaculate inside.

A good excuse to make some changes to wake this thing up.

drop in a couple of ford 347CI flat top n head, no valve relief pistons 4.030 bore, 1.090 compression height, 1/16, 1/16, 3/16 ring package. 419 grams.

That should put the compression ration into the 11.5-1 neighborhood.

A set of 1500 Meanie cams in the flowed 1600 Meanie heads should flow well enough.

We'll see what comes of it.

BonVoyager · 02-01-2018, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

The con rod is fine, it's an optical delusion.

Look in front of the water pump chain.

Is that a connecting rod bolt that has come loose and is now sitting by the chain?

01-30-2018, 11:14 PM	#1
Regin Jr. Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NSW Australia Posts: 14	Sound like a tappet rattle When I started my 1700 Nomad there was a sound like a tappet rattle in the motor, this went away after about 5km or so and hasn't returned. Anyone have any idea's on what could be the cause. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-31-2018, 12:52 AM	#3
buckey1313 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Westlock, Alberta Posts: 442	I agree with Ridefree same here when I start mine up in spring sounds like it will fall to pieces really with the knocking sound. In all due time it does settle down to the normal 1700 deep humm with no rattle at all. __________________ Dave Leyh Edmonton, Alberta 2009 Kawasaki 1700 Vulcan Nomad
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01-31-2018, 05:15 AM	#4
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	There are NO lifters in these engines. We have Hydraulic Lash Adjusters on the cam followers. The HLA's keep our engines from needing to have the valve lash set and adjusted. They take up the slack in the valve train. And yes, it sounds like one of the HLA's leaked down and took a while to pump back up. __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
	0

01-31-2018, 08:06 AM	#5
Ridefree Sr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Saskatchewan , Canada Posts: 1,441	Thanks Mas , I'm no mechanic and didn't know the correct term for what we had on our bikes . I appreciate the correction . The one thing I love about this forum is the fact that there are always members here that teach . Now I know something new as well . Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-31-2018, 03:47 PM	#9
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	The con rod is fine, it's an optical delusion. Look in front of the water pump chain. __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
	0

01-31-2018, 12:22 AM	#2
Ridefree Sr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Saskatchewan , Canada Posts: 1,441	To put in simply , our motors have hydraulic lifters . If your bike has sat for awhile it's normal for some of the oil to drain out which would cause a tick or knock . Once the engine has warmed up and has filled the lifter with oil it should go away as yours did . Now if the knocking doesn't quit then that would be a sign of a collapsed lifter and would need replacing . When I fire up my Nomad in the spring it knocks like crazy until it warms up . Then it's good to go . I don't hear it until the following spring . Hope this helps ....
	0

01-31-2018, 12:39 PM	#7
Ridefree Sr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Saskatchewan , Canada Posts: 1,441	I wish I could , if I lived down the street from you I'd be over with a case of beer or whatever is to your liking and watch you through the entire process . I've never had the opportunity but sure would take it . I'll bite , My answer ... Not a clue . First time I've seen the inside of a Kaw engine .
	0

01-31-2018, 02:04 PM	#8
Spondulas Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 110	I've never seen the inside of one either, but I'll take a guess. Looks like the connecting rod is sitting at an odd angle with respect to the crankshaft lobe.
	0

01-31-2018, 04:17 PM	#10
Ridefree Sr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Saskatchewan , Canada Posts: 1,441	I'm guessing that the steel shaft in front of the chain is either worn down or something has sheared off the top of it . I'm also curious about the hole to right of it .
	0

02-01-2018, 11:04 AM	#11
BobBear Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Florida Posts: 86	The automatic cam chain tensioner has been known to do this. Especially on Nomads. Once it has tensioned itself, the noise goes away.
	0

02-01-2018, 02:17 PM	#12
mike07nad Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Palmyra, Pa - Near Hershey Posts: 426	And the nice thing is with the 1700 engine is a totally different beast from the 15/1600. You very seldom hear of an engine issue. (Although, I did have a rare rear bearing go amuck)
	0

02-01-2018, 02:30 PM	#13
magicgrotto Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Doncaster UK Posts: 92	Wot ever is sat at the side of the chain looks out of place & Battered ! & summat looks like it broke off at the rear bottom right (sticky out bit LOL)
	0

02-01-2018, 11:52 PM	#14
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	That is a rod bolt the somehow came loose and off, then got wedged between the crank and case. I discovered that the front piston, the one with the missing rod bolt, has a broken skirt. Both cylinders look immaculate inside. A good excuse to make some changes to wake this thing up. drop in a couple of ford 347CI flat top n head, no valve relief pistons 4.030 bore, 1.090 compression height, 1/16, 1/16, 3/16 ring package. 419 grams. That should put the compression ration into the 11.5-1 neighborhood. A set of 1500 Meanie cams in the flowed 1600 Meanie heads should flow well enough. We'll see what comes of it. __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
	0