Something I noticed today, not sure if it has something to do with the cold and the engine not being warmed up.

Basically when idling I can hear some subtle clapping/tapping type noise. I can actually feel it back into the throttle. Only when I'm stationary though, it's pretty minor, but it sounds unusual. I also put my hand on the engine and I could feel it. It's not constant, maybe 2 or 3 noises every 5 seconds or so.

After a while it stopped, at this point I think the engine was fully warmed up as it was idling higher around 1400rpm, and also sounded a bit more fuller.

We've just finished winter in Sydney, and it never did this then. I also don't ride off immediately, I did it let it warm up for a few minutes with the choke.

Cam shaft side drift ?
Its more likely on older 89-00 bikes, those were not made with shims in the ends of the camshafts. If you have like .25mm you'd have the noise for sure. The thinnest shim is 1mm. You're SOL waiting for it to wear to 1mm. Mine manages to wear to .5mm in 50k miles.
Cool.
Buddha.

Mine's a 2004 model.

What is SOL? I won't have time to do this until late November, hopefully nothing happens until then! The bike runs fine, no problem with power either. Where exactly should I be looking when I open the cylinder head? At the ends of the cam shafts?

Is it almost like something's wear long around or catching?
I had a similar thing an I believe it to be a starter clutch bolt sheared,
Or if its just a tiny bit could be your carbs want syncing

If the starter clutch bolts have worn out, the bike wouldn't start right? The bike has not had any issues running so far, either starting, idling or normal riding, or even when I flog it hard for that matter.

The carbs were synced recently at the shop, along with valve clearances and clutch adjustments.

Quote from: GS500F2004 on October 14, 2013, 07:55:28 PMWhat is SOL?

Sh1t out of luck.

Since this seems to be a theme lately, check your valves lol. But seriously, it wouldn't hurt. The shop may have adjusted them a little loose. Mine made a god awful racket because of loose valves just last week. I moved some shims around, and it happily, and quietly, clacks along like a GS should. There is an old saying, though: "A noisy valve is a happy valve". So, if it's not incredibly loud, it shouldn't be an issue.

On the other hand, it could be the cam chain. I doubt it, but it's a possibility.

Just for clarification, though, is it a clicking or clacking? Clacking is most likely just a loose valve.

(Most of this information is courtesy of Buddha.)

Not too sure, didn't really hear it again, can't really make out if it's clicking or clacking, it's REALLY faint. Will see what happens.

I have a 2004 with cam float end noise. Does it only do it when the bike is warmed up? And if you give the bike a quick rev will it disappear?

It tends to come in under low load conditions more than under load.
So idle, or when you close the throttle ...
Cool.
Buddha.

Looking at the parts diagrams, 2004 is when they started adding a spring washer to the cam shafts.
Cam noise should not be happening 2004+.

On my 2004 F, it didn't come stock with a wavy washer, just a straight washer, from what I've heard it's 2005+ that have the wavy washer and bikes under warranty got them replaced to wavy on the 2004 models by dealer. The parts diagram shows the wavy washer because it's the factory replacement now.

So there's still a chance it's cam drift if you've got the old flat washer style.

^I think all that is correct, but Adidas is pretty much all knowing as far as I can tell thus far.

Not wavy washer. Flat.
Cool.
Buddha.

N: Possibly. I haven't had a true '04 engine. Pre 2000, a 2001 and 2006+ are all I have.
In all the bikes that have been at the Cave, no one has ever pointed to one and said "That's cam shaft noise". The only time we thought it was happened to be when Juniors counter balance bearing was going out. It was counter balancer banging, not camshaft noise.

B: There is the wavy, springy washer in there in newer bikes to provide sideways tension on the cams at all times. Maybe camshaft knocking happens when someone on older bikes leaves out the flat washer? With things properly installed, you can't hardly feel any cam shaft flopping back & forth.

I bought one of those washers in 2006 or so. It was flat. Available as a 1, 1.1 and 1.2 but they were flat.
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: The Buddha on October 15, 2013, 04:27:00 PM
I bought one of those washers in 2006 or so. It was flat. Available as a 1, 1.1 and 1.2 but they were flat.
Cool.
Buddha.

Interesting, they're wavy in my book.

Quote from: NikonAndy on October 15, 2013, 04:28:09 PM

Quote from: The Buddha on October 15, 2013, 04:27:00 PM
I bought one of those washers in 2006 or so. It was flat. Available as a 1, 1.1 and 1.2 but they were flat.
Cool.
Buddha.

Interesting, they're wavy in my book.

2006 would mean you had a 2004+ model bike? Not sure why in 2006 the head would have to be rebuilt for a 2004+ model bike.
You must have bought parts for an older model motor. The wavy springy washers are not backward compatible unless you replace the cam shafts with the newer ones that have extra space for the springy wavy washer. Older bikes didn't have those and probably had different thicknesses depending on wear and the machining of the head.

The camshaft endplay noise from a '97:
http://www.familyjones.org/paul/Cam%20noise.mp3

Hey...that's the kind of noise I believe I have (from what Paulcet) posted. It's not as loud though I don't think, although I can feel the vibration when it does happen through the handlebars.

It also disappears completely when the bike is fully warmed up, it tends to only be there when the bike is still cold.

So what should I do?

Quote from: Twisted on October 15, 2013, 01:10:23 AM
I have a 2004 with cam float end noise. Does it only do it when the bike is warmed up? And if you give the bike a quick rev will it disappear?

No it tends to happen when it's a bit colder, not fully warmed up. Doesn't happen when I first start the bike, but probably in the first half-hour of riding, then disappears.