noisy lifter?

[submarinerwolfe]

I've got just about 4200kms on my Nad and I've noticed what sounds like a noisy lifter. The clacking noise is loudest at cruising speed at steady or off throttle. I took it to the stealer and the mechanic told me it was normal for 1700 valve trains to be noisy and that it was nothing to worry about. Forgive me for applying car knowledge to bikes, but isn't the whole reason for hydraulic lifters to take up valve train slack so it runs quieter??

[gv550]

The 1700 does have hydraulic lash adjusters and you should not be able to hear them. And I'm betting you are not hearing the valves, what you are hearing is a rattle from the chrome tank cover hitting the ignition switch housing.
Go for a ride and when you hear the noise, reach forward and push on the chrome cover at the front of the tank. If the rattle stops then just remove the cover and file the slot a little wider so it can't touch the switch.
Garry

[submarinerwolfe]

I am going to choose my words carefully here. I appreciate your comment and your advice, but a noisy lifter sounds very different from a chrome painted piece of plastic tapping on an ignition switch.

[drno]

Did u try it though.

[submarinerwolfe]

I've had it off for doing some wiring actually and had the bike running. No change. I took the bike into the dealer and they told me that 1700's have fairly loud valvetrains. I've talked to a few Kawi mechanics since then and they've told me the same thing.

[Sin City Stan]

[quote ] I took the bike into the dealer and they told me that 1700's have fairly loud valvetrains. I've talked to a few Kawi mechanics since then and they've told me the same thing.[/quote]

Valve train?? What valve train?? It's an OHC design. No pushrods. No rocker arms. Just a cam pushing a lifter against a valve.

Absolutely no "clacking" lifter noise in my 2009 Nomad and if there was I would be all over the dealer. Hydraulic valves are much, much, much quiter than mechanical.

[submarinerwolfe]

well, just going by accepted mechanical terminology, everything from the camshaft to the valve is considered valve train.. OHC designs are just a much shorter version ;) The 1700 design actually has a rocker arm type setup with the hyd lash adjusters between the rocker and the valves. Since we had snow today, which looks like its going to stay, I think I'll be doing the end of season oil changes on the bike and go to synthetic. Hopefully if there is any dirt in the lifters, it will get sorted. Thanks for the input though.

[Sin City Stan]

I could have swore the 1700 literature said DOHC. After seeing you're reply I checked my manual and right you are.

Nonetheless, you should not be hearing a "clacking" Hyd. lifter in a new bike.

[submarinerwolfe]

I agree with you completely. One thing I'm still wrestling with is if I'm being oversensitive to a normal noise or is it really a noisy lifter. It isn't always there. If the current heat wave stays, I'll take it to another shop and see what they say.

[drno]

I have no "clacking" at all and I havent read anywhere of anyone else with this complaint yet. Yeah the engine isnt the most quiet out there, but its an orchestra of engine/trans noise, not one specificly identifiable noise like you describe also, u have to be carefull diagnosing from a noise as the sound can travel through the metal and what you think is one thing may be caused by something else all together different. What brand and vicosity of oil are u using?

[submarinerwolfe]

this is very true.. I've currently got stock Kaw oil in it right now.. pretty sure its 10w30 dino oil. We just had our second snow of the year and it looks like its going to stick around, so I'm going to drain and fill all my bikes. I use Mobil 1 15w50 full synthetic in my other bikes.

[drno]

Just watch out for synthetic and oil consumption when new. Takes a while for those rings to seat up enough to enjoy a good synthetic.

[drno]

Interesting side note, after sitting in storge for 5 months, I fired it up the other day and a Hyd lifter in the fwd cylinder was clacking pretty good and even when warmed up still was making some although a bit less, noise. Ill see if it smartens up over the next week or so. Im asuming is a bit dry fr sitting 5m and is having difficulty reprimeing itself. Hopefully it will come around.

[submarinerwolfe]

I changed the oil last night and fired it up for the first time in about as long. The forward cylinder was even noisier this time. Went out for a good little scoot today, but hopefully it will sort itself out. Let me know how it works out for you.

[drno]

Ran it a few times, and noise is gone. Took out today for 20 min.... man its nice !