2007 Nomad Valves Rattling

[BagMan]

Everybody, I bought a 2007 Nomad last month.
I haven't a own bike since the KZ 900 days.
Last week is the first time I had chance to ride and try to work the bugs out.
The bike has 17,000 miles on it, its in excellent shape.
The problem I am having is when you get up to about 70 mph, and you throttle it up, you can here the valves rattling.
When you push on up to 80mph, you really can start hearing it.
It seems like that it has no more power, and its running as fast as it can go.
At lower speeds up to 70mph, sounds like it's running fine.
Any help would be appreciated.
Vulcan-1600-1.jpg

[cactusjack]

Sounds like it's pinging. What octane gas are you using?

[BagMan]

93 octane.

[dgconstable]

That's ping, not valve rattle.

Welcome to a Nomad. :-)

Leave it in a lower gear if you are going to 'throttle it up'.

My 2003 Nomad rarely sees 5th gear because i have to be over 110km's/h to use 5th and well that's 20 over the speed limit.. LOL

[ringadingh]

I agree, It would be very difficult for the valves to rattle. Try using premium gas, that should help.

[cactusjack]

I had a 2007 and never could get it to stop pinging completely. Part of the problem is where I live, riding in 105°+ temps aggravated the problem. I always used premium gas (91 octane here) and added a fuel processor, Cobra pipes and opened my intake. That took care of it on all but the hottest days.

[nomad ryder]

I can't completely eliminate the ping either. Here in SoCal all we have is 91 and after opening the intake, debaffling the exhaust and adding a processor, it still pings slightly, but now there's a new component, a kind of a rattle sound on the deceleration side. Closing the throttle in second or third gear makes this rattling sound, not real loud, but I hear it. I'm wondering if it could be the cam chain. the bike has 55k on it. I'm going to pull a spark plug tube and look at it.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by nomad ryder

I can't completely eliminate the ping either. Here in SoCal all we have is 91 and after opening the intake, debaffling the exhaust and adding a processor, it still pings slightly, but now there's a new component, a kind of a rattle sound on the deceleration side. Closing the throttle in second or third gear makes this rattling sound, not real loud, but I hear it. I'm wondering if it could be the cam chain. the bike has 55k on it. I'm going to pull a spark plug tube and look at it.

If your bike has 55,000 miles, I'll almost guarantee you the cam chain tensioners ran out of travel long ago. It needs a set of extenders to take the slack out of the chains.

[Vulcan Bill]

Bagman...I almost didn't buy my 05 1600 because of all the valve clatter. It wasn't until I learned from other 1600 owners that its normal that I pulled the trigger and purchased it. That was 50,000 miles ago and its still running great.
These are inherently noisy machines, kinda like an old Harley. They clunk, clatter, whirl and whine. I love it, its what a motorcycle supposed to sound like! These bikes also require a firm solid shift from 1st to 2nd gear. If you try to ease into 2nd you'll find yourself missing the shift and grinding 2nd a lot.
Heres a link to Gadjets Fix-it Page. This is the go to place for any and all things Vulcan 1500/1600. If you click on the 'New Owners Tab' and then 'What To Expect' it will describe the sounds you might hear from your Nomad. Spend a few minutes looking the sight over. You'll find a wealth of knowledge about mods, maintenance and general Vulcan 1600 knowledge.

http://www.gadgetjq.com/gadgetsfixitpage.htm

These are not race bikes and don't have the acceleration you experienced with your KZ900. It should cruise at 80 (85 indicated) without a struggle though and mine, when stock, would top out at 95 mph (100 on the speedo.) These speedometers, like all Japanese bikes, read 5 MPH faster than your actually going. Don't ask why, no ones ever come up with a good explanation.

Hope this helps.

[Vulcan Bill]

....oh, forgot to mention, check your air filter. If its clogged it might cause the engine to bog at higher speeds.

[Jllm02199]

Originally Posted by BagMan

Everybody, I bought a 2007 Nomad last month.
I haven't a own bike since the KZ 900 days.
Last week is the first time I had chance to ride and try to work the bugs out.
The bike has 17,000 miles on it, its in excellent shape.
The problem I am having is when you get up to about 70 mph, and you throttle it up, you can here the valves rattling.
When you push on up to 80mph, you really can start hearing it.
It seems like that it has no more power, and its running as fast as it can go.
At lower speeds up to 70mph, sounds like it's running fine.
Any help would be appreciated.
Attachment 7962

I solved my pinging problem by installing a Dobeck TFI fuel computer. I now burn regular, get 40 MPG. Runs great.

[VulcanE]

My first thought was also pinging, and my second was cam chains. If your running premium gas, then I would check the cam chain tensioners. There's a "how to" on Gadget's site.

[BagMan]

WOW, what response.
Its's great to know that there is a bunch people have the same compassion, love for these machines.
When I bought this Nomad I was in the process of buying Harley Road King.
Don't get me wrong Harley makes some nice bikes.
I rode tested both of them, and put about 30 miles a piece on them.
I went back to the Kawasaki Nomad.
I saved 5 grand on the deal, it was the right fit for me.
You Know the contour lines on the Nomad with those hard bags, remind me of the contour lines of a good looking woman-(You don't mine see them coming, and you don't mine seeing them going.)
Back to reality, I'm going back to the basics and start with square one.
Check the spark plugs, wiring,and etc.
Pulling the air filter yesterday revealed that it has a new K&N Filter in it.
Again Thanks For Your Help.

[redjay]

PM sent

[nomad ryder]

Yep, spark plug tube shows the beginnings of cam chain contact. Chucksters!