Connie 14 rod bearing noise (or why does my C14 rattle in the morning?)

[connie14boy]

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

[Jeremy Mitchell]

Nothing to worry about.  That is the cam chain tensioner.  Takes a few seconds to wake up.

[connie14boy]

Is this an auto hydraulic tensioner or does it need adjusting like on my other rides?

[Son of Pappy]

Yep, it's hydraulic, no adj. needed.

[Pokey]

Sound is less if on the centerstand, my bike honestly barely does it at all however at 16k.

[Jeremy Mitchell]

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.

[stevewfl]

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

[Necron99]

"they all do that"

LOL

[Rhino]

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.

[VirginiaJim]

It doesn't do it if you start it with the bike upside down.

[ZG]

It doesn't do it if you start it with the bike upside down.

 
Or on it's side...   


 

[VirginiaJim]

 

[Jeremy Mitchell]

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.   



Oh, and mine doesn't make any cam tensioner noise while on it's side. 

[ZG]

     

[Monsterpost]

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.