Hello everyone. I have a small question about ticking noise from my engine. I have read 2 articles here about it, yet they don’t put my mind at rest, so I decided to ask myself. I am including a video for sound demonstration so hopefully it will be obvious for some experienced riders there. I’m obviously very enthusiastic yet not experienced one. So this ticking noise I hear from when I bought my bike about 2 years ago (when it was 3 years old). Since then I asked guys at the garage about it, but they vaguely answered it’s normal - yet I wasn’t sure they actually heard it or care in particularly. So here again, I’m asking if that’s something I need to look into, is it serious, what actually can it be, and most of all can I still ride till I’m ready to have someone look at it - I’m based in Berlin at the moment and Covid-19 is making things difficult. I might be paranoid but it would be so much better if someone told me what it can be...if anything. I’m hoping the video helps so you can help me.
I think that's normal, but I'll check on mine later for you. What bike is yours? I have a Thunderbird Commander, which is the 1700c engine, like the LT and Storm.
Doesn't sound bad to me. Possibly valve clearances? If you've been riding the bike for two years and it hasn't got any worse I wouldn't worry about it. Does it sound the same with the engine cold and hot?
Sorry this took longer than I'd hoped, I turned out to be pretty busy the past few evenings after work. Here's my Commander idling: https://imgur.com/a/OUY7RCa The first one is just after starting up, and the second a couple minutes of idling (sorry the second one is upside down, whoops). Personally I think it sounds similar enough, I think that lump does tend to make some noises, but they're apparently pretty bulletproof, being such a lazy engine. I'd say it's probably induction noise, and if so, mine may sound a little different anyway, since I have an aftermarket air filter, and a modified seat to improve flow (and it's got a power commander, which may also affect things). It's also got the TOR exhausts, all of which may make subtle differences to tickover sounds. If you still have concerns, I'd head a dealer - when they're open again - to get it checked out. But I personally don't think it sounds TOO different to mine.
Thank you. It does sound similar. I guess when things get little more normal I’ll go and check it again but for now I shall be a little more relaxed.
My 2014 Trophy SE idled like a diesel so the engine on my LT sounds about normal to me- noisey for sure. BTW mine sounds like both of yours, probably closer to the Commander.
I think the subframe on the TBird was redeveloped for the Commander and LT to accommodate a deeper more comfy seat, as a result the airbox is different. I know this because I wanted to get an aftermarket airbox removal kit that's available for the 1700 storm, but it's not compatible with my bike. As such, it's unsurprising that your LT sounds a bit more like mine, and the difference to the storm is probably just a little bit of tweaked induction noise. edit: re-reading my post here, I didn't want it sound like "yeah yeah, obviously it's the same, idiot" I just meant it's consistent with what I reckon was going on. They all sound similar, but if an LT were to sound more like one or the other, I'd reckon it's the commander, due to having the same subframe and airbox
It sounds normal to me.... maybe valve clearance check time and also the decompressor bob weights on the inlet cam tend to rattle at low revs. Things usually improve when the bikes been running...these bikes take 30-40 miles to really warm up.
This engine will not sound like a usual parallel twin due to the 270 deg firing order but for your own piece of mind have a mech. have a listen to it.
This engine will not sound like a usual parallel twin due to the 270 deg firing order but for your own piece of mind have a mech. have a listen to it.
So I have noticed that after a long ride of 1+ hrs the noise is rather muted or at half volume or so vs when it is cold. ANy ideas what this means? I like the quieter revs in first and second after it is warmed up-
That's normal too...my1600 quietens down when warm... takes a long time to warm up though...much quieter when the 12 k valve shim was done. What's your mileage?
Just hit 12,500 Miles and had the 12K service done at 12K. Virtually no change, but I would err on the side of being a little quieter than before. Ultimately though at speed it is flawless, just that annoying clacking at low RPM in 1st and 2nd.
Whilst the noises in your video are normal roughly 25% of 1700 Thunderbirds have a distinct clacking sound when the engine is revved under load.There are many theories to account for the noise... personally I think it's piston slap. If you have it there's no cure...it sometimes goes away and comes back randomly. It doesn't affect reliability...some folks get used to it. I had it on a 1700 LT and it infuriated me to the extent I sold the bike. The 1600 engines don't appear to suffer from it. If you're not sure you have it you probably haven't got it. It's unmistakable.
new owner of a T Bird, and mine has a "chatter". had a couple of ears take a listen, one a rocket owner and has owned a few triumphs, other being a bike nut/ engineer. turns out its normal. i find the noise goes when its revved. hope that helps
If the noise goes when revved it's not the dreaded 'clacking'. These are somewhat noisy engines as standard... rattles and clanks at low speed/ tickover...till it's all warmed up to normal operating temperature.
