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Knocking!

3K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  jeremy_kokwk 
#1 ·
So I was reading some of the old posts about engine knocking. I was wondering if you guys had any opinions. My 12 is at a friends house currently, replacing the forks. Im going to bring it to the shop when my forks are back together. But anyways, my bike has approx 70k km on it, and for about the past 10k km I had a slight knocking start. It has gotten progressively worse, I can hear it more when the bike is warmed up. I can fix basic stuff, but am stumped when it comes to engines. I had my friend look at it and he says it doesnt sound like a bearing. It sounds like its coming from the bottom rear of the engine. Its pretty loud now, I can hear it more at idle, but I cant tell if its just the exhaust that drowns it out at higher rpm. Im overdue for a valve adjustment and am going to get that done asap, Im going to have the shop check out the knocking too. While im busy worrying about it though anyone have any suggestions? He suggested I take off the oil pan and see if some of my clutch ended up there, since my clutch is toast too (going to replace that as soon as it comes back, was the original)
 
#2 ·
hello,

i know the DIY expert mechanics here will berate me as the novice i am for suggesting this - but maybe worth getting it checked out by a garage?

maybe different on the 12, but on some of the other bikes i've had, knocking (and pinging/rattling etc for that matter) can mean serious shit is ahead.

probably nothing serious. and probably will be advised by one of the resident experts what you problem really is - but worth a thought.

los
 
#3 ·
try and locate where the noise is coming from, use a piece of hose (up to your ear) and stick it on different places of the engine. any stick or screwdrider would work, but from dealing with possible arcing from bad plug wires on old dirt bikes, i suggest using something non conductive!
 
#4 ·
Hey guys thanks for the advice so far.

los - hey any advice for me right now is good advice haha. Ill have to bring it in when I get it back together. Bought stiffer springs and went to try to put them in at a friends house, we couldnt get them compressed enough. Took it to 3 different shops and they couldnt either, so my 12's been apart in his garage since, hopefully going to get it together tommorow. After following the advice on the forums on just getting the race-tek tool.

KZScott - Owch, that sounds painful. I think non conductive would be a good idea hah. Ill give that a go while im putting the forks together tomorrow, with just listning the closest i could find is the bottom rear.
 
#6 ·
los said:
hello,

i know the DIY expert mechanics here will berate me as the novice i am for suggesting this - but maybe worth getting it checked out by a garage?

maybe different on the 12, but on some of the other bikes i've had, knocking (and pinging/rattling etc for that matter) can mean serious shit is ahead.

probably nothing serious. and probably will be advised by one of the resident experts what you problem really is - but worth a thought.

los
+1. My bike did this a while, but left it for the next service. Result? Blown engine.
 
#7 ·
BigChris said:
los said:
hello,

i know the DIY expert mechanics here will berate me as the novice i am for suggesting this - but maybe worth getting it checked out by a garage?

maybe different on the 12, but on some of the other bikes i've had, knocking (and pinging/rattling etc for that matter) can mean serious shit is ahead.

probably nothing serious. and probably will be advised by one of the resident experts what you problem really is - but worth a thought.

los
+1. My bike did this a while, but left it for the next service. Result? Blown engine.
I got it back, didnt have a chance to check on the engine yet. Im going to bring it in next week to look at took some time off of work. Was it knocking for a while? Mines been doing it for some time now. Like I said no loss in power, ugh now Im way worried, I love my 12 dont want her to die!
 
#8 ·
Well it had been going for a while, but it wasnt a sudden blow up. I was out with friends and noticed that the power kept dropping off...and dropping and dropping.

to the point i couldnt keep up with a 400cc cbr.
:?
Then, thinking I need to get home, turned around, and then it just pooped itself. First the sparks went, then it dumped its oil everywhere and that was it.

spent over 3 weeks in the garage, total engine rebuilt at a cost of approx 70 hours @ £40 per hour :shock:

BTW, I flogged the bike. I had to just to pay the bill!
 
#9 ·
BigChris said:
Well it had been going for a while, but it wasnt a sudden blow up. I was out with friends and noticed that the power kept dropping off...and dropping and dropping.

to the point i couldnt keep up with a 400cc cbr.
:?
Then, thinking I need to get home, turned around, and then it just pooped itself. First the sparks went, then it dumped its oil everywhere and that was it.

spent over 3 weeks in the garage, total engine rebuilt at a cost of approx 70 hours @ £40 per hour :shock:

BTW, I flogged the bike. I had to just to pay the bill!
Ugh, that sucks. Sounds like mine, I got a apt tomorrow to bring it in, nearly everyone ive talked to thinks its the bearings. I just got the bike payed off too!
 
#12 ·
JasonZX1200R said:
SITW said:
Hearing it more when warmed up is what leads one to think it may be a bottom end bearing.
Thats exactly what the shop said =(
man that sucks big time :cry: but now you can use this as an excuss to build up and get more out of the bike. Just a thought.
 
#13 ·
Lou zx12r said:
JasonZX1200R said:
SITW said:
Hearing it more when warmed up is what leads one to think it may be a bottom end bearing.
Thats exactly what the shop said =(
man that sucks big time :cry: but now you can use this as an excuss to build up and get more out of the bike. Just a thought.
Yeah, I was considering it. Thinking of doing it myself so I can learn more. Keep it as a project bike. On the way to the shop I was thinking how awesome it feels with rebuilt front forks (valve and springs) and the corbin seat. The guy said its the most miles hes seen on a bike hah. Im so depressed, I love my 12, even if she isnt a looker.
 
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