Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: bigtremb on May 01, 2018, 11:57:22 PM

Title: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: bigtremb on May 01, 2018, 11:57:22 PM
Hi all, i'm having an issue since last year which is: when my bike has been park for a couple of hours/days, and I start it I have loud cam chain slapping( louder than it used to sounds) and as rpm reaches idle, the slapping goes slowly away. I have a feeling that I may have an oil pressure problem but I don't have any low pressure light. When the bike is warm everything runs smooth as a whistle.. last winter I did check my valve clearance...someone's in for brainstorming?
Title: Re: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: VirginiaJim on May 02, 2018, 03:57:13 AM
That noise should go away within a few seconds.  I rather doubt it's a low oil pressure thing.  You would have to confirm that with a gauge, though.  Could be the tensioner itself and in which case you could replace it with a stock one or get away from it entirely with an APE manual tensioner.


http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=14243.msg174886#msg174886 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=14243.msg174886#msg174886)
Title: Re: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: Conrad on May 02, 2018, 04:00:07 AM
Have you used a different oil / viscosity since last year?
Title: Re: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: The Pope on May 02, 2018, 04:07:35 AM
To kind of eco VJ

Here are some threads that may help you:

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=20062.msg248957#msg248957 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=20062.msg248957#msg248957)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=17463.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=17463.0)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=22700.msg281365#msg281365 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=22700.msg281365#msg281365)
Title: Re: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: VirginiaJim on May 02, 2018, 04:07:41 AM
You're up early, C.
Title: Re: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: gPink on May 02, 2018, 05:37:59 AM
You're up early, C.
Must have remembered he was retired and went back to bed.
Title: Re: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: VirginiaJim on May 02, 2018, 05:41:20 AM
Probably. That's where I should be at 6 in the morning.  Now it's off to the local Dunkin for coffee and two (2) egg and cheese wraps.
Title: Re: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: Rhino on May 02, 2018, 07:36:48 AM
Seems all C14's have this problem to some extent. Some worse than others. I doubt you have an oil pressure problem. Mine had it worse than most and not only would it rattle at startup but would slightly rattle at idle once the bike got hot. The problem with the design of the hydraulic CCT is that the ratchet system has too much clearance. It can move 1/8 inch or more. So once everything gets worn in, some bikes will get to another notch and be ok, others will back off as much as 1/8 inch sound like loose nuts and bolts are in the crank case at start up. My solution was to install an Ape manual CCT. Yes more work than the OEM hydraulic but really not that much maintenance. When I changed the oil I would back off the locking nut and with the engine running at idle, turn the adjuster in by hand until I couldn't turn it with just my fingers and then back it off 1/4 turn or so. A couple extra minutes every oil change. Once I did that my bike never rattled again and I rode that bike 73,000 miles before I sold it.
Title: Re: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: Conrad on May 03, 2018, 04:08:10 AM
You're up early, C.

Must have remembered he was retired and went back to bed.

Ever since I was in the Army I can't sleep late. The alarm actually goes off at 4am since my wife is still working and starts at 8. Yes, we need 4 hours to 'get ready'. That includes coffee time and exercise time and occasionally another 'kind' of time.   ;)

Mrs Conrad will be retiring at the end of June.   :thumbs:
Title: Re: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: Daytona_Mike on May 03, 2018, 05:12:28 AM
Hi all, i'm having an issue since last year which is: when my bike has been park for a couple of hours/days, and I start it I have loud cam chain slapping( louder than it used to sounds) and as rpm reaches idle, the slapping goes slowly away. I have a feeling that I may have an oil pressure problem but I don't have any low pressure light. When the bike is warm everything runs smooth as a whistle.. last winter I did check my valve clearance...someone's in for brainstorming?
Normal. Mine did it and it has no oil pressure issues. Many many other brand new  bikes do it. I had mine replaced with a brand new one under warranty and it still did it. Some say to start the bike on the center stand.. no thanks.
Best advise. Install a manual APE tension-er and  NEVER hear it again.
Title: Re: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: just gone on May 04, 2018, 12:38:46 AM
Yes, we need 4 hours to 'get ready .....and occasionally another 'kind' of time.   ;) ........

Braggart! ..or... just to stay on topic, are you pullin' our chain?
Title: Re: Cam chain slapping, slow oil pressure build up
Post by: Conrad on May 04, 2018, 04:12:13 AM
Braggart! ..or... just to stay on topic, are you pullin' our chain?

No chain pulling involved Marty.    :P