Do you mean that you can hear the engine lightly clicking as you're riding at high speeds? If so, I've heard mine since day one, mile zero and that hasn't changed since my first oil change. I figure since I'm sitting on top of an engine that I'm going to hear the valves pumping so I don't think it's a problem ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Tappy is Happy, Yes?
I'm sure I know the answer, but these things are tappy as ****, right? I know that was the case for my old 650. Just want to feel better about life, so tell me it's not already out of spec, valve-wise. Only 690 miles on it. 
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Yep, notoriously tappy.....chill.I'm sure I know the answer, but these things are tappy as ****, right? I know that was the case for my old 650. Just want to feel better about life, so tell me it's not already out of spec, valve-wise. Only 690 miles on it.
Started mine up today before putting my ear plugs in (normally the other way round), and even thought to myself that I’d forgotten what a noisy lump it is (just coming up on 3000, by the way).
(A shot from today’s trip out, below).
Ben
Stumbles at Start Up
What bothers me more is that mine has developed a bit of a stumble at start up. Meaning that as soon as it fires up it nearly stalls out. Actually it has stalled out at start up one time. It didn't stumble like that until recently, like in the last 500 miles. It has had no attention outside of oil/filter change and the K&N intake. But the intake has been on for a long time, so I doubt that is causing this recent stumble at start up.
I just thought about that today when I pulled mine into garage. It was clattering quite noticeably. I am at 2,300 miles. My Virago Vtwin clattered a lot too.I'm sure I know the answer, but these things are tappy as ****, right? I know that was the case for my old 650. Just want to feel better about life, so tell me it's not already out of spec, valve-wise. Only 690 miles on it.
What bothers me more is that mine has developed a bit of a stumble at start up. Meaning that as soon as it fires up it nearly stalls out. Actually it has stalled out at start up one time. It didn't stumble like that until recently, like in the last 500 miles. It has had no attention outside of oil/filter change and the K&N intake. But the intake has been on for a long time, so I doubt that is causing this recent stumble at start up.
Thanks all. I think every one of the who knows how many bikes I've owned has had some noise-weirdness that bothered my OCD.
My first bike, a Honda CB360T was loud as ****. Came to find out it was a known cam chain issue. I knew the SCR tapping was normal, but wanted to check. I don't really trust dealerships during bike prep. LOL!
I do miss my old R1100GS taps though. For some reason, that boxer engine tapping away was kinda relaxing ....
My first bike, a Honda CB360T was loud as ****. Came to find out it was a known cam chain issue. I knew the SCR tapping was normal, but wanted to check. I don't really trust dealerships during bike prep. LOL!
I do miss my old R1100GS taps though. For some reason, that boxer engine tapping away was kinda relaxing ....
A bit loose is always preferred over any tight when it comes to valves.
Some engines are quite noisy even when things are perfect.
Apples to oranges, but my 04' Sportster 1200 had hydraulically adjusted valves and clattered like there were
bottle caps under the valve covers. LOL
I checked and adjusted my girlfriend's V-Star 950 valves at around 15.5k miles and they were lightly ticking before and after.
That engine is the parent mill for the Bolt and the SCR. So, external aesthetics aside, the internals are pretty much identical.
Below are pics of the measurements and the valve train itself. I left the exhausts as-is, a wee on the loose end of the specs and brought the intakes to the middle.
Tip: If the valve lash requires adjustment, I've found it's a good idea to check the throttle body synchronization afterward as it can change.
Some engines are quite noisy even when things are perfect.
Apples to oranges, but my 04' Sportster 1200 had hydraulically adjusted valves and clattered like there were
bottle caps under the valve covers. LOL
I checked and adjusted my girlfriend's V-Star 950 valves at around 15.5k miles and they were lightly ticking before and after.
That engine is the parent mill for the Bolt and the SCR. So, external aesthetics aside, the internals are pretty much identical.
Below are pics of the measurements and the valve train itself. I left the exhausts as-is, a wee on the loose end of the specs and brought the intakes to the middle.
Tip: If the valve lash requires adjustment, I've found it's a good idea to check the throttle body synchronization afterward as it can change.
Attachments
Just thought of another possible cause of an engine behaving differently: Fuel quality. I don't know about others, but I tend to buy gas at the same few stations. Occasionally, I'll get some that leans to higher alcohol content than normal. The Super Tenere (liquid-cooled) will run observably hotter as well as have occasional hiccups in power delivery. I can get different gas and it calms right down.Thanks all. I think every one of the who knows how many bikes I've owned has had some noise-weirdness that bothered my OCD.
(snip) I do miss my old R1100GS taps though. For some reason, that boxer engine tapping away was kinda relaxing ....
I'm with you on the boxer sound! I rode a R75 briefly while a Honda was in the shop and the stereophonic clatter was actually kinda pleasant when just tooling along a back road. =)
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