Cam ennd float .. what's normal

[randomway]

After having the bike serviced the last time, I am hearing the click-clack noise louder and louder lately. It mostly comes out when the engine is hot but it's getting annoying now. I know that the cam end float issue is common so I took off the rocker cover today and checked it out. There is a bit of a play sideways on the inlet camshaft but only in a certain position when turning the engine. There is no movement at all in other positions or on the exhaust side camshaft. Should I be worried? Could this mean the bearings are worn there or is it normal?

[gsJack]

Canshaft noise is more a deep intermittent thud noise rather than a click-clack noise.  Does it only when hot, only at idle and if you pick up the idle speed to 2k it stops?  If so that's it and it's annoying but harmless.  Suzuki finally acknowledged it a few years ago and fixed new F bikes still on warranty with a camshaft and sideplay shim change.  Camshaft was knocking back and forth sideways from too much freeplay.  You can confirm it by checking the freeplay on you camshafts, you can only feel the freeplay when the camshaft is turned with both cam lobes away from the buckets.

I had it on both my 97 and 02 GSs but haven't heard it for years now, think it stopped when I started using the 15W-40 heavy duty truck oils years ago.    I diagnosed it on my 97 and first published it here before I bought my 02 back in 03.

[randomway]

Yeah, I cant describe the sound accurately. Its a deeper knocking noise thats only there at idle. I have had it from the start, put 50k miles on the bike but it only got much louder since the last valve clearance service. Could be the different oil I am using lately alright. You put my mind at ease, Cheers!

[Dr.McNinja]

Canshaft noise is more a deep intermittent thud noise rather than a click-clack noise.  Does it only when hot, only at idle and if you pick up the idle speed to 2k it stops?  If so that's it and it's annoying but harmless.  Suzuki finally acknowledged it a few years ago and fixed new F bikes still on warranty with a camshaft and sideplay shim change.  Camshaft was knocking back and forth sideways from too much freeplay.  You can confirm it by checking the freeplay on you camshafts, you can only feel the freeplay when the camshaft is turned with both cam lobes away from the buckets.

I had it on both my 97 and 02 GSs but haven't heard it for years now, think it stopped when I started using the 15W-40 heavy duty truck oils years ago.    I diagnosed it on my 97 and first published it here before I bought my 02 back in 03.

That being said a sound like a bicycle chain from the front of your bike is typically camchain noise (usually brought on by the POS tensioner Suzuki decided to give us). The oil I use (Motul 5100) made my bike a little more "noisy" but not bad noisy. The sound of the engine just changed a little with the new semi-synthetic non-crap oil.

I've had to over time realize that bikes make some funny noises. It's not like a car where the engine is some degree of steel and sound away from you, on a motorcycle you're literally on top of your engine, so obviously you'll hear more of the "mechanical" side. Keep that in mind and try not to freak out in the future. Not that you did now, but you will. Haha.

[randomway]

I rode this bike through hail and sandstorms, I know the noises it makes... but it's an inventive little bugger, making up a new noise every year I started to worry that the camchain might be loose or there is a knackered bearing somewhere. I had a Suzuki dealer service it the last time and the camchain tensioner was tampered with.. hence I thought that there might have been a problem with the tension, which they tried to fix and then gave up on it.... but there is no problem with that at all (knock on wood). I guess they removed the camshafts to swap shims. Knowing exactly where the noise is coming from feels a bit better now.
Yeah, I will have to live with it and try a different oil in the spring. Considering what I put the bike through, I am amazed it is still running almost perfectly.