Hello,
just picked up an '04 500f and had a few questions that I hope someone out there can help me with.
I got the bike used and wanted to know first off what the factory warranty is for the bike. I have tried to find out what all is covered and for how long, but have had no luck. I know about the extended warranty but don't know if I can shell out the $$$ right now.
Also, how do I go about verifying the warranty since I got the bike used. Can my local dealer run the VIN to see when the bike was originally purchased and if the factory warranty is still good? Can I call Suzuki and do this. Just want to be able to take the bike in and get repairs covered.
Finally, the big question. There is some king of knocking noise coming from the bike pretty much all the time. It's hard to pin down where exactly it is coming from because it kind of sounds like it moves around, but I think it is either the gear box or in the engine itself. It's a loud metal on metal knocking that doesn't sound very good at all. The bike only has 17 miles on it so i don't know if that is common for break-in, or should I have it checked by the dealer. That is why all the warranty questions.
Thanks for any help you can provide. The site is great and I have already learned a lot just reading through some of the info here.
Matt Jones
Don't know about the warranty but the knock you are hearing may be the typical top-end clunking of the cams moving axially in their bearings. If so then from what everyone says here it is just one of those endearing things about the lovable little twin. No harm, no foul. You are going to love that bike. I love mine...and this forum too.
C.......
when you say top-end clunk do you mean that I should hear it only in the top end of the gears? I hear it at idle. Like I said the bike only has 17 miles on it and I haven't had a chance to get it out of third gear really. Sounds like there is a hunk of metal bouncing around in the engine.
SO, it that a common sound that like you describe?
Thanks again,
Matt
By top end he meant head or valve trail and they clunk, and might go away with a break in and then might come back or might stay forever ... and you fit a shim, or something ... cam shafts drift sideways ... making little knocking noises ... Not bad, they have a shim set for that but you need to have 1mm+ clearance to use it ... and mine was at .5mm for 12K miles ... 35K to 47K ... and I got frustrated and put some material on the inside of the cam caps ... and dont know how good it is yet ... maybe in a week or so ...
Cool.
Srinath.
I don't know if this is "international" or not but here, UK, the standard warranty is two years with first year also covered by free A.A. (like triple A) membership / recovery etc,. and the warranty is transferred with changes of ownership within the two years. Incidentally Honda is two years for both. :dunno: :?
Hmm. I'm hearing a kind of clacking noise in the engine at about 5000-6000 rpms cruising in any gear. The noise seems to go away if I give it more or less throttle. Is this the noise you guys are describing? Should I be concerned?
Quote from: roguegeekHmm. I'm hearing a kind of clacking noise in the engine at about 5000-6000 rpms cruising in any gear. The noise seems to go away if I give it more or less throttle. Is this the noise you guys are describing? Should I be concerned?
The "soft clunk" described so much in the past is usually heard at idle, after the engine is warmed up. (Like when you're sitting at a stop light.)
A clacking up in the 5,000-6,000 RPM range is more likely to be a straight vibrational thing (some external part of the bike may buzz at that frequency). I suppose it could also be loose valves. :dunno:
In America, the warranty is for 1 year and unlimited milage, covers just about everything, the warranty is transferrable to the new owner. Your dealer should be able to fill you in, I have the number at home for Suzuki Warranty coverage, if you need that, I can get it tonight and post tomorrow.
Quote from: KerryA clacking up in the 5,000-6,000 RPM range is more likely to be a straight vibrational thing (some external part of the bike may buzz at that frequency). I suppose it could also be loose valves. :dunno:
Ooo. That doesn't sound good. I just had a 6000 mile major service done to it where I know the valves were adjusted. Is it something I should worry about? What is recommended to investigate it further?
These engines are just plain noisy. If you're used to hearing your friends water cooled 4 cylinder smooth as butter engine running then you'll think "something is wrong here". It's probably OK as long as you have oil in it! Our engine sounds like a diesel truck next to a nice quiet lexus.
You're probably right (at least I hope you are). ;) Still, if there is anything I can do to make sure everything is fine, I'd like to do it. Suggestions?
If you could post the number for Suzuki, that would be greatly appreciated. I just want to get everything squared away with a transfer on the warranty just in case I need it.
QuoteThe "soft clunk" described so much in the past is usually heard at idle, after the engine is warmed up. (Like when you're sitting at a stop light.)
I don't know if I would describe it as a "soft clunk". Like I said, sounds like a hunk of metal banging against the inside of the engine. Hard to pinpoint where, because it seems to "move" when I get my ear up and try to locate it. Also, you say it starts when the bike is warmed up and at idle? The noise I have starts up from the turn of the key when the bike is cold and seems to get worse when the bike warms up. Any suggestions on that? Could it just be that the bike isn't really broken in yet? Don't want to run it and make it worse either though!
I am just nervous about the noise and want to make sure it's taken care of, hopefully under warranty, if anything is wrong.
Thanks
matt jones
Quote from: terapn13sounds like a hunk of metal banging against the inside of the engine. [...] The noise I have starts up from the turn of the key when the bike is cold and seems to get worse when the bike warms up.
That does NOT sound "normal" to me. :o Keep working on that warranty transfer!