Author Topic: Connie 14 rod bearing noise (or why does my C14 rattle in the morning?)  (Read 42831 times)

Offline connie14boy

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Hi, I'm the proud new owner of a 2009 Connie with just 5,500 miles. First thing in the morning, the bike makes a rod bearing rattle for 2 seconds before the oil hits. The oil and filter are new and proper amount in the window. The first owner says that it always did that when cold- I am a little rattled myself when I hear it. The dealer will probably say "they all do that". Any one else have this happen? Maybe I should try another filter brand, because the bike is losing the oil prime somehow after being parked overnite. The bike is out of warranty May 1st- Thanks for any suggestions
« Last Edit: March 29, 2015, 08:10:37 AM by VirginiaJim »

Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2012, 05:53:22 AM »
Nothing to worry about.  That is the cam chain tensioner.  Takes a few seconds to wake up.
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Offline connie14boy

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2012, 07:14:54 AM »
Is this an auto hydraulic tensioner or does it need adjusting like on my other rides?

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2012, 07:18:51 AM »
Yep, it's hydraulic, no adj. needed.

Offline Pokey

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2012, 07:37:13 AM »
Sound is less if on the centerstand, my bike honestly barely does it at all however at 16k.
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Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2012, 07:43:21 AM »
I notice mine when I leave my bike in the parking lot (on the side stand) at work after sitting on a cold day.  If I back it out of my garage and start it, I rarely even notice it.  44,000 on my 08.
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Offline stevewfl

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2012, 02:06:38 PM »
ZX14 guys that don't like the sound install a manual cam chain tensioner. Mine '10 has been making that noise from day one and its > 50,000 miles
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Offline Necron99

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2012, 05:11:20 AM »
"they all do that"

LOL
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Offline Rhino

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #8 on: August 02, 2012, 10:33:22 AM »
My 2010 does it also. I haven't noticed any difference side stand vs center stand. 99% of the time I get on the bike, stand it up and then start it so that should be equiv to the center stand. Still makes the rattle.

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2012, 03:02:31 PM »
It doesn't do it if you start it with the bike upside down.
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Offline ZG

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #10 on: August 02, 2012, 03:09:38 PM »
It doesn't do it if you start it with the bike upside down.

Or on it's side...  ;) 


 

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #11 on: August 02, 2012, 04:06:42 PM »
 :yikes:
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Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #12 on: August 02, 2012, 05:22:48 PM »

Or on it's side...  ;) 


 

Here is mine on it's side also, except I am riding........................................... instead of trying to back down my driveway in flip flops after four beers.   ;D



Oh, and mine doesn't make any cam tensioner noise while on it's side. 
Keeping the economy going, one tank of fuel and two tires at a time.

Offline ZG

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #13 on: August 02, 2012, 05:35:32 PM »
 :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:   :thumbs: :thumbs:

Offline Monsterpost

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #14 on: October 30, 2013, 04:13:31 PM »
Hi, I'm the proud new owner of a 2009 Connie with just 5,500 miles. First thing in the morning, the bike makes a rod bearing rattle for 2 seconds before the oil hits. The oil and filter are new and proper amount in the window. The first owner says that it always did that when cold- I am a little rattled myself when I hear it. The dealer will probably say "they all do that". Any one else have this happen? Maybe I should try another filter brand, because the bike is losing the oil prime somehow after being parked overnite. The bike is out of warranty May 1st- Thanks for any suggestions
Hi all, I'm new here to this forum but not new to the C14.  Back in 2008 I bought a demo bike with 350 miles on it.  From that time until I traded it for a new 2012 this year it always rattled when it was cold, from there on during the day starting the bike I never heard the rattle again.  My 2012 has never made that rattling noise ever so far.  I just got done wiring a connecter so I can plug in a battery tender over the winter; the bike has not run for a few weeks so I started it up and NO RATTLE.  Not sure  what's made the rattle noise on my 08 but I glad I don't have it so far with my new one.

Offline connie14boy

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #15 on: October 30, 2013, 10:14:46 PM »
I can honestly say it's the only thing that really pisses me off- mine does that rattle every time I start it- warm or cold, on the side or center stand, night or day. I get those stares from my riding buddies like WTF is that? Even the Harley guys snicker a little, and a BMW rider said "that sounds serious, you better look into that". I hate making excuses, so I guess I better get a manual one installed. Every bike I ever owned had it's quirks, and usually more than one. I just wish this one had a more "quiet" quirk.

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #16 on: October 31, 2013, 07:36:55 AM »
Some make it, some don't.  Mine does for a few seconds.  Sometimes not at all.  Some say it does it more while on the side stand..  It's the cam chain tensioner.  It's not harmful.  Annoying to some but not to most.  You might change oil brands or you can go to a manual tensioner.  Up to you.
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Offline Monsterpost

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #17 on: October 31, 2013, 07:37:14 AM »
Like I said mine did it only when I started it in the morning "cold start" there after never heard it again for the rest of the day.  It's not a good sound, makes me wonder why my 08 did it and 12 hasn't so far.  We shall see as the miles go on.

Offline Rhino

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #18 on: October 31, 2013, 07:50:58 AM »
I can honestly say it's the only thing that really pisses me off- mine does that rattle every time I start it- warm or cold, on the side or center stand, night or day. I get those stares from my riding buddies like WTF is that? Even the Harley guys snicker a little, and a BMW rider said "that sounds serious, you better look into that". I hate making excuses, so I guess I better get a manual one installed. Every bike I ever owned had it's quirks, and usually more than one. I just wish this one had a more "quiet" quirk.

If anyone snickers at me due to the rattle for a few seconds after start up, I would ask them how it sounds from the rear as I'm pulling away.

Offline B.D.F.

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Re: Connie 14 rod bearing noise when first started in morning
« Reply #19 on: October 31, 2013, 09:36:45 AM »
It is not a con rod bearing and it is easy to fix considering how badly it appears to bother you: put in a manual CCT and never again have to listen to that rattle.

All documented here: http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=14243.msg174886#msg174886

Brian

I can honestly say it's the only thing that really pisses me off- mine does that rattle every time I start it- warm or cold, on the side or center stand, night or day. I get those stares from my riding buddies like WTF is that? Even the Harley guys snicker a little, and a BMW rider said "that sounds serious, you better look into that". I hate making excuses, so I guess I better get a manual one installed. Every bike I ever owned had it's quirks, and usually more than one. I just wish this one had a more "quiet" quirk.
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