Alanomad
20th April 2007, 17:38
I have valve rattles sometimes in my Nomad, like lots of people do on all kinds of bikes, but there are three problems in Nomads that may make you think valve rattle, when it's not.
Possibility number one: Check the tank badge(s). When you think you hear valves, grab one or the other tank badge, and pull hard and steady - my right side badge rattles like crazy sometimes, and although I haven't removed it yet to fix the rattle, its good to know its nothing mechanical with the engine.
Possibility number two: As you know, a helment holder is attached to each dresser bar in front of each saddlebag. If the bolt that holds the top of the bar to the frame is even a tiny bit loose, that can cause the bar to vibrate, and that will make the helment holder rattle. Sounds for all the world like valves. Tighten the bolt, and you're done.
Possibility number three: The rear of the headlight shell sits very close to the triple clamp, and it can vibrate against the clamp and rattle - the quick, easy, don't - have - to - worry - about - messing - up - the - headlight - adjustment fix is to take a sticky back, postage stamp size piece of felt, and pull the shell forward enough so you can stick it on where it might contact the clamp, and you're done.
One and two may apply to the 1600 Nomads,also (I think the 1600s have a different headlight), and maybe, concerning the badges, to all Vulcans with badges.
I hope this is useful to some poor fellow Kaw rider pulling out his or her hair trying to figure why the valves rattle at 40 MPH under hardly any load.
Possibility number one: Check the tank badge(s). When you think you hear valves, grab one or the other tank badge, and pull hard and steady - my right side badge rattles like crazy sometimes, and although I haven't removed it yet to fix the rattle, its good to know its nothing mechanical with the engine.
Possibility number two: As you know, a helment holder is attached to each dresser bar in front of each saddlebag. If the bolt that holds the top of the bar to the frame is even a tiny bit loose, that can cause the bar to vibrate, and that will make the helment holder rattle. Sounds for all the world like valves. Tighten the bolt, and you're done.
Possibility number three: The rear of the headlight shell sits very close to the triple clamp, and it can vibrate against the clamp and rattle - the quick, easy, don't - have - to - worry - about - messing - up - the - headlight - adjustment fix is to take a sticky back, postage stamp size piece of felt, and pull the shell forward enough so you can stick it on where it might contact the clamp, and you're done.
One and two may apply to the 1600 Nomads,also (I think the 1600s have a different headlight), and maybe, concerning the badges, to all Vulcans with badges.
I hope this is useful to some poor fellow Kaw rider pulling out his or her hair trying to figure why the valves rattle at 40 MPH under hardly any load.