Tappy noise
 

Well basically I have a 2005 sv650s and just recently when starting from cold it has a tappy noise which Is loud ( or is to me ) then goes quiet once it's at 60 degrees or so. But the noise is still there and also say I keep it in a gear for longer and gets to around 5k the loud tappy noise comes back. I'm thinking he valve clearances need resetting. As it's the only logical explanation as the bike has only done just over 15k miles. What do you think. Thanks guys and girls

Re: Tappy noise
 

first thing to do is check your oil level.

valve shims dont just start to tap unless you have rapidly wore the bucket down due to low oil levels.

at 15k your looking at getting near your first valve check but it very rare that they need adjustment at that mileage.

as long as the bike has had oil and filter changes every 3,500 miles and the oil level has never been past the low mark then all should be fine and i would look elsewhere like an TB sync and checking the spark plugs are secure. the spark plugs on the SV are just 'seated' with very little torque applied and do come loose. if you have let the oil level go past the low mark for any extended time then its not good news.

Re: Tappy noise
 

The oil level is good it's in between low and full but closer to full , the oil and filter was changed about 1k miles ago

Re: Tappy noise
 

Also the revs do fluctuate a little bit. But it's done that before this tapping noise started. It's hard to explain without a sound clip

Re: Tappy noise
 

Not the cam chain tensioner between clicks? On my old bike it sounded awful when it was in between clicks & done it I think roughly every 10k miles - a good thrashing helped it on its way & then was lovely & quiet until the next time.

Re: Tappy noise
 

heres a quick video of it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDebq1DqV7Q

Re: Tappy noise
 

Sounds normal to me, mine does it but it goes once warm

Re: Tappy noise
 

even at 5k revs because thats when i can also hear it (as the exhaust is quite loud without the baffle )

Re: Tappy noise
 

Mine sounds like that as well. 08 K7. My bothers TL sounded ten times worse than that.

Re: Tappy noise
 

Had a listen to the video and while I can hear the tapping faintly, I don't think it's anything to worry about.

My own K6 has done 9,000 miles with a full service with valve clearance check 1000 miles ago, and sounds roughly the same. I believe it's just the camchain ticking.

As said above, the camchain tensioner will not always take up the slack perfectly, and sometimes will allow the chain to be a little noisier than others as the tensioner blade moves and flexes slightly.

Sometimes my own bike has zero mechanical noise when idling at traffic lights etc, other times it will tick when idling - often doing both on the same ride.