SuzukiSavage.com - Knock Knock

Slowlane Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 66	Knock Knock 02/26/21 at 14:38:47 2009 S40 1288miles. With this few miles is it normal for the engine to make a lot of knocking sounds? I know about the cam chain tensioner but this bike just knocks all the time especially at 0 to 50 mph. It's got an new filter and correct level of Rotella 5-40 T6. Thanks, Slowlane
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Gary_in_NJ

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Re: Knock Knock
Reply #1 - 02/26/21 at 15:14:54

No, the LS650 engine is a quiet running engine. The cam chain tensioner "slaps" when out of spec. The rod knocks when the bearings are worn.

When you say 0 mph, are you talking about when the bike is idling, in neutral? If it only happens when you are moving, perhaps you are lugging the engine (always in the wrong gear). If you hear it with the engine unloaded (in neutral), you may have a problem.

How long has it been knocking? Can you determine if it's coming from one side of the engine or the other? Does it sound like both equally? You can use a wooden dowel against your ear as a stethoscope to try to locate the source.

Other than to diagnose the knocking sound, I suggest you stop running this engine until the cause is identified. It could be nothing...or it could cost you thousands.

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LS650 Cafe, DRZ400SM, FZ6N, SV650S, CB900C, Ducati ST2, CB550F-SS
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Slowlane Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 66	Re: Knock Knock Reply #2 - 02/26/21 at 16:15:21 I took it down to my neighbor and let him and his wife listen to it cause my hearing is fubar. He said he heard some tapping/knocking but considered it normal but dosent know anything about Savages. He's a Mustang lover. I'm just gonna ride it and keep the oil clean. Iv'e worked on this thing for months and it's time to ride. Thanks Gary.
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ckahleer Full Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 121	Re: Knock Knock Reply #3 - 02/26/21 at 16:52:44 Next time you fill up, try using premium gas. Probably not the cause, but worth trying
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Matchless G11 Senior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 451 Newfoundland NJ	Re: Knock Knock Reply #4 - 02/26/21 at 17:16:00 Might want to check your oil. Enough? Too much (gassy) ! Something to look at. I am not a expert in any way, but You might listen near the decompression lever. I heard somewhere if that is out of adjustment . Anyone else want to comment ?
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Knock Knock Reply #5 - 02/26/21 at 17:53:00 What speed are you changing from first? Second? Is it a constant thing or just sometimes?
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Ruttly Serious Thumper Offline Thumpers Rule Posts: 5007 Manteca , CA Gender:	Re: Knock Knock Reply #6 - 02/26/21 at 19:10:39 It might be gettin ready to chuck the counterbalancer on the road , like that last guy maybe a year ago. He said it was knocking and then not. That’s when his counterbalancer past him up.
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Hiko

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Re: Knock Knock
Reply #7 - 02/26/21 at 19:47:21

Knocking noise is not normal
I think you should investigate what it is trying to tell you
Its not that much work to take the clutch cover off and have a good look in there as a start point Look at the tensioner and the LH nut on the crankshaft gear and every thing else in there that might show some signs of something amiss.
Others may have some other/better ideas

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Dave YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 17831 Camp Springs, Kentucky Gender:	Re: Knock Knock Reply #8 - 02/27/21 at 03:12:14 Does it knock louder at low engine rpm? Does it knock louder under engine load and or full throttle?
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Slowlane Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 66	Re: Knock Knock Reply #9 - 02/27/21 at 06:38:25 The knock is more like a sewing machine knock. It knocks at all speeds lower than 50mph. Too much wind noise to hear any knock above 50. I'm using 93 Marine grade non-eth gas. I will try to get more people to listen to it.
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Dave

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Re: Knock Knock
Reply #10 - 02/27/21 at 07:01:10

If it is more like a sewing machine ticking....it is likely normal.

The headlight bezel and the speedometer are good sources of noise, and it is surprising how much it sounds like it is coming from the engine - especially if you ride with a full helmet.

I though the top end of my engine was beginning to come apart, and there was a lot of noise....especially when I came to a stop at a traffic light. Finally I reached forward and put my hand on the top of the headlight, and I discovered my headlight was making all the racket. I took the bezel off and installed some foam tape to take up the slack and things got a lot quieter.

You can do a search for the cure for the speedometer rattle.

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Gary_in_NJ Serious Thumper Offline LS650 Cafe Racer Posts: 2629 Amongst the Twisty Roads	Re: Knock Knock Reply #11 - 02/27/21 at 08:27:34 Agreed Dave, that’s why I suggested in my first reply to locate the source. Suggestions from others to take things apart is nonsense. Don’t go down a rabbit hole, do the simple things first - identify from where the noise emanates.
Back to top	A life-time student of motorcycling. LS650 Cafe, DRZ400SM, FZ6N, SV650S, CB900C, Ducati ST2, CB550F-SS My LS650=> http://suzukisavage.com/yabb2.2/Attachments/Left.JPG IP Logged

ohiomoto Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2697 WTF is JOG?	Re: Knock Knock Reply #12 - 02/27/21 at 09:19:49 In my book, an engine knock isn't a knock until it's bad enough to know for sure that it's a knock and you're only screwed if it's actually a knock. It's served me well over the years...knock on wood.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Knock Knock Reply #13 - 02/27/21 at 10:03:15 You know these are noisy engines, right? If it's not ticking, it's dying. Sewing machine is the way we describe it . If someone who has ten thousand miles on a savage says it's got a problem, you should listen. Anyone else, you might be ahead to ignore.
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Ruttly Serious Thumper Offline Thumpers Rule Posts: 5007 Manteca , CA Gender:	Re: Knock Knock Reply #14 - 02/27/21 at 10:07:07 The important question is , Is there rough running and/or any vibration , hesitation in conjunction with the knocking ? Cold or hot , uphill , downhill , accelerating , decelerating , all are key in locating/troubleshooting the knocking sound. Gotta find it before it leaves you walking/pushing !
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