Intermediate tapping sound

[mdbHokie]

Hey all,

I have an '04 GS500F.  I've been hearing an intermediate tapping sound when idling at stoplights.  It sounds like it's coming from the front of the engine.  I only hear it at idle.... if I give it a little gas it goes away.  The tapping is only audible for 2-3 seconds (TAP TAP TAP tap tap tap) and fades away.  It will occur once or twice for every minute that I'm idling.  Some days I don't hear it at all.

Any ideas what this could be?  Valves?  I bought the bike with 500 miles on it in June, had it serviced at 600 miles, and now it has 1700 miles on it.  The sound doesn't seem to affect idle rpm or performance.  I'm just curious where it's coming from.

Thanks,

Mike

[Wrecent_Wryder]

I7

[The Buddha]

Cam shaft side drift, valves, cam chain ... yea ... make sure chain is adjusted and good.
Cool.
Srinath.

[foxx]

i had the same problem so i took it to the shop and found out that the factory had a recall on the cam because they did not put shims in it and the cam moves side to side it wont hurt anything but you should get it look at

[phire]

Is it a loud tapping? Mild?  My '05 taps, but it sounds like the cam chain.... Should probably adjust it... It's only audible for a couple seconds, then fades away.. then comes back... fades again... I won't know for sure until I get in there, but I know it isn't the valves, they have a distinct sound to them.. But anyways, check the cam chain tension.

[indywar360]

I have noticed this same problem, my 04 makes ratchety/cranky tapping sounds when I let off the throttle. Mild but audible at 30-40 mph. Seems like it's coming from the left side. Kinda sounds like rocks rattling around in the fairing, or the drive chain contacting the centerstand, but there's not enough play for that to happen. Happens with shifting or clutch/throttle type events, mostly releasing throttle.

Will check out clymer manual for cam chain adjustment. Anyone else have any suggestions or luck?

Kyle

[annguyen1981]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=29827.0

Check this out.