engine noise when cold......

[dorkpunch]

Well, it would appear that fall is here already and the temps are starting to drop. This spring when i got my bike out it had a wierd issue with engine noise when it was cold. not the bike, the weather. It seemed that if it was below oh, say, 45 degrees out when i first start the bike it has an icky sounding rattle. after about 30 seconds to a minute of warm up, the sound quits. doesnt fade, slowly go away, just wil all of the sudden stop. the bike runs fine all the time, cold or hot. adjusted the cam chain and this didnt change anything. Anyone else ever have this problem?

[skids]

Re: engine noise when cold......

Is it possible for the starter to stay engaged?

[i] after about 30 seconds to a minute of warm up, the sound quits. doesnt fade, slowly go away, just wil all of the sudden stop. the bike runs fine all the time, cold or hot. adjusted the cam chain and this didnt change anything. Anyone else ever have this problem? [/B]

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Dorkpunch,

I've heard of the starter NOT engaging the shaft adequately in colder temps with very thick or slippery oils, but it's a bit more rare for the pinch rollers to stay engaged once the engine starts. Was thinking that the solenoid might be sticking in colder weather, so that even though you let off of the starter button, it's staying closed, so that it keeps spining the starter and making the grinding type noise!?

Perhaps you could do an experiment bypassing the solenoid and starter button by using a jumper cable clamp and see if it still makes that noise during a cold start? If not, then I would suspect the solenoid. If it still makes the noise, then could be the starter clutch sticking, and unless you want to split the cases to fix it, you'll have to live with it!?
T.C.

[LoserShoes]

Or how about you have one cylinder thats a bit marginal, misfires til the other cylinders warm it up to where it will fire up? Or if its damp when you start up, one cylinder is cross firing from another cause of bad plug wires?

Steve

[Ken Talbot]

Have you switched to a lower-viscosity oil for cooler temperatures?

[dorkpunch]

Do these bikes have the deal where there is a chain from the starter to the engine? If thats the kind of set up these bikes have then thats probably what it is cause it sure sounds like a chain. It hasnt gotten cold enough for it to start doing it again, plus i finally got the garage converted back to a garage and uncovered the garage door so Lula actually gets parked inside at night! I will keep you all posted as to what i find.

[John]

These bikes use an over riding clutch for the starter and there is no chain. The starter clutch is gear driven by the engine. You may be hearing the Hy-Vo chain slapping around.