Hi all,
I've noticed recently my GSX14 is sounding tappy not sure if it's just me being paranoid. Doesn't sound like anything major just concerned that I'm noticing it. It has got 17,718 miles on the clock and I haven't checked the valve clearances, the bike had 6,730 miles when I brought it 5-6 months ago. It is in need of an oil change which I haven't yet go round to due to weather being wet and cold and don't have a garage either.
Just wondering if it's just me being paranoid as it does sound like valve chatter rather than cam chain or something, I don't mind checking the valve clearances but bit concerned about replacing the shims if need be by myself as I've not had to work with shims before plus is my first bike that actually cost a fair bit of money my previous bike was a bandit 600 that I picked up for 900 quid so didn't mind to much doing stuff like valve clearances. Could it just be that it needs an oil change?
Could be tappets but unlikely I think. For sure tappet clearance checking is part of the service schedule around the 15K mark, but many don't bother, those that have generally have found them still to be in tolerance, in fact I'm not sure I've heard of ant owner yet having to re-shim at 15k miles.
It could be that you need an oil change and that this would resolve it. This time of year, being colder, oil is thicker from startup so it's feasible you could get a little more clatter at first than usual.
You don't say whether it does it hot or cold, or what oil you are using, or how old the oil and filter are.
Gut feel at the moment is change the oil and filter and see how it goes from there.
i changed the oil on my k7 at the beginning of last year,on the previous oil there was no tapping or clicking at all,i used silcolene semi synthetic of the correct grade and since then when the motor warms up I get a slight ticking sound,also the gear change isn't as smooth.im not worried by this as its only very slight ticking.
oil change every 4-5000 miles or every year with filter (they are only a couple of ££) .
i cant see it being tappets or valve clearances at such a low mileage .
:cheers:
Seems to be hot and cold that said I haven't ridden far recently to get the engine really warm most I've traveled recently is around 10 miles. I'm using Halfords 10w40 oil tho will probably change to rock oil when I do the oil change.
Quote from: mikesaa309 on Thursday, 04 January 2018, 12:38 AM
Seems to be hot and cold that said I haven't ridden far recently to get the engine really warm most I've traveled recently is around 10 miles. I'm using Halfords 10w40 oil tho will probably change to rock oil when I do the oil change.
I wouldn't change to rock oil, some on here have complained of poor noisy gear changes etc after using.
Personally I'd stick with the Halfords 10w 40 motorcycle semi-synth if you have been using it, many use it on here with absolutely no issues at all. Other you could consider is Silkolene Super-4 10-40 Semi Synth, used that in my 14 (k7) over 8 years with no issues at all, nut then I'm a snob for named oil LOL - Halfords 10w 40 motorcycle oil is as good :onya:
So is it most likely to be in need of an oil change? Is well over due tbf I ride too much in such little time that I stupidly don't keep on top of maintenance. Had an issue with my bandit 600 where it just wouldn't pull away when cold I had to rev the shit out of it else it would just cut out. Tried all sorts of things like new plugs etc and couldn't figure it out and then it clicked that it must be the air filter. Put new air filter in and it was all sorted :doh:
Possibly a mixture of the cold weather making the oil thicker and due an oil and filter change. Given you've said it's overdue, then it's the first thing to try. As with anything, when you have a problem, do one thing at a time.
So I'm not saying an oil change will resolve it, only that given it's overdue, if you have fresh oil and a new filter, then if the noise continues it's one less thing to consider. But hopefully it will resolve it.
One step at a time.
Hi Mike. As said change your oil and filter. May not fix your noise, but at least you know its got good fresh oil in it. I change mine between 4-5 thousand k's. Done 53,000 kms and l havnt touched the engine. I have had mechanics listen to it. Most say these things are bullet proof.
I always warm it up before riding.
Good luck with yours :onya:
What colour is the oil in the sight glass. In the past in the old country in winter if only travelling short distances it can go milky with condensation. It used to happen to my mates GS1000S so he gave me the keys and a blast up the coast to Portrush and back soon fixed that. :)
Mike, think you answered your own question. you said you dont keep on top of maintenance. air filter and oil change is the most basic of it. iff your oil is really bad, we get cars at work you couldnt believe, a prado toyota petrol, no oil change in 94 th. ks is one example. i have photos of that motor. if its bad, run a oil cleaner thru it. then just change oil n filter.
Quote from: mikesaa309 on Thursday, 04 January 2018, 12:38 AM
Seems to be hot and cold that said I haven't ridden far recently to get the engine really warm most I've traveled recently is around 10 miles. I'm using Halfords 10w40 oil tho will probably change to rock oil when I do the oil change.
Mine runs on Halfords 10w40 bike semi synth. With 114k on it now and no extra noise from when I got it 7k. I wouldn't use a different oil, I'd just change it enough. Mine gets done every 4k.
not done the same milages as holi but all of my 14's have been run on hslford 10w/40 all with good milages on them with no ill effects or noises.
previous 4 x14's all over 30k miles.
current ones in 57k,52k and 18k.
Oh & I forgot to say, I checked the valves at 100k. They were exactly the same as at 15k.