valve clicking or engine knocking too loud?

[Jeffreydas]

Just had 6k service on my 2002 r1150r. The bike has 55k miles. Before the service it seemed the normal clicking sound from the engine valves (i think) seemed to become louder. I thought the 6k service might tighten things up, but it was the same.

I'm not sure if the loud clicking was always there because I noticed it more when I switched from a full face helmet to an open face one where I am able to here ambient noises more clearly. But one thing is for sure, in 5th gear at 5000 rpm sometimes I hear a rattling noise from the engine likened to a small light piece of medal banging around in the dryer. I'm almost positive in happens only in 5th gear. I almost never rev beyond 5500 rpm and cruise at about 4000 rpm.

any input?
Thanks,
Jeffrey

[DMM]

Sounds to me as though you are talking about the cam-chain. The tensioner upgrade might be a good option, if that is the case. Search for it on this site (cam-chain tensioner) and see what others have posited. This noise may simply be nothing more serious than noise that bothers you, even if it is just the cam-chain.

[reddingrdr]

Well, w/o referencing specific noises, I've had the same thing happen when going from a full face helmet to an open helmet. I heard many sounds that I hadn't heard before. I went back to the full face helmet. Ron
p.s. I know, no help

[macx]

I'm an "old" (literally) hot rodder and have lots of experience with solid lifters and the associated
clicking.

I bought my 04 in 08 and of course just had to start tinkering immediately. Found out about the
cam chain tensioner so did the upgrade, along with very carefully setting then re-checking the
rocker end play and valves, setting the tps, synchro'ing the TB's, new plugs, and all that.

Seems I've got what sure sounds like 1 or 2 lifters continuing to get louder. The cam chain upgrade
really didn't seem to help. Dont' hear it over about 2k or 2500 rpm, but is disturbingly loud under
that rpm whether cold or warm engine.

I even took the cam chain thing apart and re-checked to make sure I had all the pieces and they were
in right.

Engine only had about 28k on it when I did that, now has 31k.

Working away from home and too many hours to dig into it now, am getting laid off in about 6 weeks,
so will then go into it and recheck everything. I even set my valves with a dial indicator, can see exactly
how much I've got and can get them within .0005" of each other. Made up a rig that clamps to the bike for
the magnetic stand on the indicator to hold everything rock steady so no false or varying readings.
Learned the dial indicator thing on my 426 hemi years ago and was amazed then at how much seat of
the pants difference was detectable with valves set within .0005 of each other rather than within
.002 of each other which I found out was about as good as I got with the old feeler gauges.

Also am going to cut my last oil filter apart and spread the medium to see if I have any nasty's in there
just to make sure not.

Would sure hate for that motor to give out! Probly cost as much as the bike is worth (04) to have it
repaired, or a bear of a job to do myself if it's even possible without a whole toolbox full of special tools.

[Flashdog]

No answer can be had on this or any other website as it concerns what is too loud. Go to your local dealer, a bike night, or somewhere else that has a couple of R1150 engined bikes and listen to them.

[jcridge]

Sounds to me like everyone concerned has had the noise before and would like to lessen or eliminate the noise all together. It's very possible that the noise is normal, and it will change somewhat as the engine breaks in.
But I will digress, and say that a 1K ago my 04 turned 32K, and I noticed a noise at idle that wasn't there before... I upgraded the timing tensioner, the noise did lessen, but I wouldn't go as far as say it's 100% gone. I ride with a full face HJC and ear plugs. The 1150 have a few noises that are nature of the beast. Can you imagine what a HD would sound like if you could actual hear the engine?

Comparing to other 1150's and owners sounds like good advice to me.

John

[DMM]

I'll add one more comment here. Choice of oil will have a slight to modest effect on engine noises. It is anecdotal, but I've heard (read) this here from others and I've experienced it myself.
I am considering the "tensioner" upgrade (as someone else - mixr - has mentioned in other threads here, it isn't truly a tensioner, more of an anti-lash device). However, I am aware that I may be replacing a part that doesn't really need to be replaced. Like the rest of you, I take good care of the bike, remain vigilant about upkeep and observing any changes, and rely on the accumulated wisdom of the others here to try to determine when something is significant and when it's a non issue.

[NoRRmad]

As I understand it, that tensioner upgrade was because it took a couple of seconds for the old tensioner to "pump up" against the chain guide under oil pressure when you start the engine. The new tensioner takes less time. Once you're running, and the oil pressure has stabilized, there should be little difference.

[Keppelj]

NoRRmad, I don't think that's the case. My experience is that the clatter at cold idle is way quieter than it was and throughout warmup. I suspect it's a more effective unit, the new tensioner, period. Once thoroughly warm mine is still quieter, tho pretty noisy. Pity we can't all go for a ride together, meet up in a big parking lot, listen to each others clattering, and put this to rest. It's Sunday morning too. No better time!