Rattle At Startup

[Scramboy]

Why this is the second bike (1200) that I've owned that rattles on start up.
Im not sure what oil they use for running in but the engine starts up quiet.
Then new oil is added and we have the dreaded rattle until things get warm.
I thing it could be the cam chain tensioner but other than that, not heard of any faults.
My buddy has just bought a used one with 2000 miles on the clock and his is silent.

 

[shanered6]

sounds like it could be the oil filter a bit finer meaning the oil takes a bit longer to reach everywhere or a slightly thicker oil .

 

[Scramboy]

What I did today was to start the bike in an upright position and not on the side stand, the rattle was reduced to only a couple of rattles intermittently.

 

[shanered6]

where is your bike tept is it in a warm place ? if so then it could be just the oil being warmer , but i think its just normal engine sound on cold start up .
The other thing is you could have 20 bikes the same but every one of them will sound slightly different , i would not worry about and just ride and enjoy

 

[Scramboy]

True, I had T120 last year and that sounded bad but never was a problem.
I just feel that a clacking noise is a noise with future issues.

 

[sikatri]

Interesting that starting upright would reduce it. Also interesting your buddies used with 2000 on the meter is silent. How many miles on yours? How is your oil level? What oil does your buddy use?

 

[Scramboy]

Miles on my bike 1200. Oil was from Triumph standard issue, believe its 10w/40 fully synthetic.
I think that starting a bike upright gives it the most chance of balancing the oil level. In the past, I've heard some bikes benifit from it.

 

[sikatri]

I’d probably see if just a bit more oil would help and I’d keep starting it upright. It may very well be that it will settle down after some more miles. I’d pamper it, if that’s what it needs. Do what seems to work to reduce it. Keep us posted.

 

[Scramboy]

Had a call from the shop, to say that they are aware of this noise. If it goes away on warm up, nothing to worry about.
If it does it when hot, needs to be investigated.

 

[sikatri]

Had a call from the shop, to say that they are aware of this noise. If it goes away on warm up, nothing to worry about.
If it does it when hot, needs to be investigated.

Regardless, pamper it a bit and keep an eye on that oil level. The viscosity might be a slight issue. Is there a chance that the original oil was not something like a 5w40? I don’t know enough about the water cooled models to know which oils can be used. Since yours was given the 10W it’s a bit different than my old air cooled. But since it’s an issue of warming up, it would to me mean the cold viscosity number might be of interest, 5W versus 10W. 5W being lighter might reduce the noise cold if it’s something that could be used in your model.

 

[sikatri]

sounds like it could be the oil filter a bit finer meaning the oil takes a bit longer to reach everywhere or a slightly thicker oil .

Slightly thicker oil when cold is what it sounds like to me.

 

[sikatri]

This might be of interest…

Motor Oil Viscosity Grades Explained in Layman's Terms

Motor oil viscosity grades and how they are selected. What do they mean and why is it important?

www.upmpg.com

“I can't tell you how many times I have heard someone, usually an auto mechanic, say that they wouldn't use a 5W-30 motor oil because it is, "Too thin." Then they may use a 10W-30 or SAE 30 motor oil. At engine operating temperatures these oils are the same. The only time the 5W-30 oil is "thin" is at cold start up conditions where you need it to be "thin."”

Just food for thought, same applies to the 40 grade.

 

[Scramboy]

Shop asked the mechanics what the oil is during running in, they didn't know. Bet its 5w/40

 

[nickjaxe]

Shop asked the mechanics what the oil is during running in, they didn't know. Bet its 5w/40

You rattle sounds just like mine.....I have tried thicker semi synthetic....made zero difference.....started it on the ctr stand for a week....no different.
With mine it seem temperature dependant....in colder weather here in the uk....the tapping/rattle starts after around 30seconds of running...I leave the motor to idle while I get my jacket on ect.....after around 1 or 2 minuets the noise lowly disappears.not to be heard till the next cold start.
I bought the bike new....dealer looked twice....did no work just listened.....said.....long as it goes when warmed up ignore..had no idea what it was....to me that a worry and not what I wanted to hear.
Now the temps in the outside uk are high.....on first start up I hear the tapping right away....so to me its temp connected.
Please let us know how you go on with this....

Have a listen to this video....is it the same as yours.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Zg4zYoop3dg

 

[Scramboy]

Thanks for the reply to my issue. I'll look at the video later as I'm in France and Internet a bit slow.

 

[nickjaxe]

Thanks for the reply to my issue. I'll look at the video later as I'm in France and Internet a bit slow.

Thats not my bike....belongs to a guy in Norway.....but identical noise to mine....let me know what you think.

 

[Scramboy]

I think it's the same. It would be better hearing it from the left side though. Mines a bit tappet.

 

[tgill]

I have a '22 1200 scrambler and had a considerable increase on left side engine noise after the first 600 mile oil/filter change. Mostly goes away in 2-3 min. Filter was a Wix. Oil was Mobile 1 10w-40 Racing.
It is a bit embarrassing, but fortunately, aftermarket Zard cans with the DB killers removed cover most of the noise.

 

[Scramboy]

I have a '22 1200 scrambler and had a considerable increase on left side engine noise after the first 600 mile oil/filter change. Mostly goes away in 2-3 min. Filter was a Wix. Oil was Mobile 1 10w-40 Racing.
It is a bit embarrassing, but fortunately, aftermarket Zard cans with the DB killers removed cover most of the noise.

Lol, new it was the only answer. I done this on a Xs650. Rattled like a goodun. Straight throughs drag pipes sorted that out.
I would like to know why it does it when from new its quiet!

 

[nickjaxe]

I have a '22 1200 scrambler and had a considerable increase on left side engine noise after the first 600 mile oil/filter change. Mostly goes away in 2-3 min. Filter was a Wix. Oil was Mobile 1 10w-40 Racing.
It is a bit embarrassing, but fortunately, aftermarket Zard cans with the DB killers removed cover most of the noise.

I didnt notice the tapping on mine till after the first oil change.