Greetings

I have recently noticed some engine ticking at idle. Seems to be more prominent on the right hand side. Its not loud as when the fan comes on it drains it out whilst standing next to the bike. With the fan on I think I have further isolated where its coming from, seems like engine side under the fuel tank. Sounds similar to rockers on some some cars which have done 30000 +k if you know what I mean. Although having said that I'm not a mechanic by any means.

Bike has 2000k on it and its had its first service.

Is this normal, can anyone confirm they have this or know what it is ?

Originally Posted by P23D4702

Greetings

I have recently noticed some engine ticking at idle. Seems to be more prominent on the right hand side. Its not loud as when the fan comes on it drains it out whilst standing next to the bike. With the fan on I think I have further isolated where its coming from, seems like engine side under the fuel tank. Sounds similar to rockers on some some cars which have done 30000 +k if you know what I mean. Although having said that I'm not a mechanic by any means.

Bike has 2000k on it and its had its first service.

Is this normal, can anyone confirm they have this or know what it is ?

If the ticking can only be heard at idle, it's probably nothing to worry about.

My Z1K also has a new (or newly noticed) noise which is similar to what you describe. It's a little over 2000 miles as well. I notice it at idle and in first gear riding very slowly, parking lot speeds. It's a sort of rattle whirring, ticking. Definitely coming from the top end and seems more to the right side as you describe. I would love to get my ear close to another Z/N1K for comparison. Perhaps I can capture the sound with my digital recording device? If I can capture the sound I'll make it available here. One thing for sure... Kawasaki motors seem noisy to me.... both my Kawasaki's sound like tractors at idle. Clackity, and loud. My 2003 Honda was rode hard for 26,000 miles and it was tight and quiet right up to the day it was sold. Just saying'.

Thats interesting, sounds like our bikes are wearing in so to speak. I have read up since i posted. Its not valve clearances as they go quiet when requiring attention (weird). Could be loose headers. Thanks for the feed back im sure JD and others have something to add, when they read this (hopefully). Also read what you confirm that they are loud hence sometimes referred to as 'klakas' ?

Originally Posted by motoCYCHO

My Z1K also has a new (or newly noticed) noise which is similar to what you describe. It's a little over 2000 miles as well. I notice it at idle and in first gear riding very slowly, parking lot speeds. It's a sort of rattle whirring, ticking. Definitely coming from the top end and seems more to the right side as you describe. I would love to get my ear close to another Z/N1K for comparison. Perhaps I can capture the sound with my digital recording device? If I can capture the sound I'll make it available here. One thing for sure... Kawasaki motors seem noisy to me.... both my Kawasaki's sound like tractors at idle. Clackity, and loud. My 2003 Honda was rode hard for 26,000 miles and it was tight and quiet right up to the day it was sold. Just saying'.

I haven't heard anything unusual yet. My engine makes all kinds of noises but I haven't heard this one yet. I will try to get a ride in today and listen for it. I also have just over 2k miles

Originally Posted by P23D4702

Thats interesting, sounds like our bikes are wearing in so to speak. I have read up since i posted. Its not valve clearances as they go quiet when requiring attention (weird). Could be loose headers. Thanks for the feed back im sure JD and others have something to add, when they read this (hopefully). Also read what you confirm that they are loud hence sometimes referred to as 'klakas' ?

My bike has that tick at idle too. I've been running 92 gas and done 3 oil changes under 2000 miles so I know I haven't done anything wrong. I can really hear the ticking when the bike is at idle parked close to a car or the wall in my garage. It could just be the bike......I don't know, seems to be running just fine.

sounds like injectors working properly to me...

Could be your cam chain tensioner. Cam chain may be making the noise due to it being just a hair loose. Does the sound continue after you ride it for a bit?

Dont think you have anything to worry about.

Combination of valve ticking and kawi cam chains always make noise.its like kawasaki doesnt mind this noise because its even worse on the 636. Also a little valve noise is good,no valve noise bad(too tight),alot of valve noise(annoying but better than none).

Mine makes a ticking noise at idle, but when I pull the clutch it goes away.... Is this what you all are talking about?

Originally Posted by snuggles30

Mine makes a ticking noise at idle, but when I pull the clutch it goes away.... Is this what you all are talking about?

Nope. That's yet a different noise. Mine makes that one too. When you pull the clutch the transmission shafts stop spinning.. and it changes the sound the oil pump is making is my guess anyway. Different sound. Like I said... the Kawasaki lumps are noisy... "Tractorsaki"!

I don't have a 2010/11 Z1000, but it sounds like this is normal. The '03 - '06 first gen Z's had a very similar ticking sound. A search of the forum from some of the older threads will show you that a lot of 1st gen bike owners (me included) were concerned with the 'ticking'. Consensus was it was just the injectors working properly (they're LOUD) and general Tractorsaki noise

Originally Posted by canuckerstone

I don't have a 2010/11 Z1000, but it sounds like this is normal. The '03 - '06 first gen Z's had a very similar ticking sound. A search of the forum from some of the older threads will show you that a lot of 1st gen bike owners (me included) were concerned with the 'ticking'. Consensus was it was just the injectors working properly (they're LOUD) and general Tractorsaki noise

This is not the injectors. I know what those sound like and I can hear them as well. I will try and capture the sound today and get an audio file ready to be listened to.

I put some miles on my bike today and didn't notice any unusual ticking. I did find that I have the buzzing sound. Great.

LOL!