Spark knock... what does it sound like?

[deniska]

I am trying to determine the reason for the little weird noise I am hearing from my Meanie. I am familiar with all the weird noises it normally makes, but I thought I heared it first after I dropped the bike... or I just started noticing it because I became paranoid.

In either case, I wonder if what I am hearing is the spark knock. (If so, I'll just do a simple resistor mod to try fixing it). I debaffled my stock exhaust and marbled the reed valve several months ago. I'll describe the sound, you tell me if that sound like spark knock.

It's audible when idling. Not all the time, but most of the. It's also audible (a little louder) when I add a little bit of throttle when idling. I can't hear it while riding, not loud enough. At idle, it sounds like faint clicking rather than knocking. Click-click-click-click-click... The sound seems to originate from the left side, close to the rear cylinder (that general vicinity).

Doesn't sound bad at all, but a little concerning. What do you guys think? Is this spark knock?

[Phatboy]

Paranoia? Worried about a clicking sound on a Kaw?

[Greg]

I actually just posted a question like this re my new 05 1500 classic.

I'll have to watch this thread as well because what you're describing is what I'm hearing. Dealer laughed when I asked him and fired up another 1500. It sounded the same.

[2WheelFun]

Mine ticks also. It now has 19,440 miles on it and tick...tick...tick...tick...like the energizer bunny...and I hope it keeps ticking cause if it stops then that means it's not running.

[Targetbuster]

.

"In either case, I wonder if what I am hearing is the spark knock."

Just my $.02 but I know what spark knock is and this is not it (at least as you have described). Spark knock is a very tinny sounding noise that is only evident on hard accelleration. Mine was evident during rev up in neutral but mine was pretty bad. This usually occurs only under heavy load and is worse when warm/hot. This sounds like a valve train noise that isn't anything to worry about.

TB

[BigJohn]

I have to agree with TB, sounds like the "normal" big Vulcan engine noises. Ignore it, it won't go away....if it does, the engine just quit and you have bigger issues to worry about....These are NOT quiet little sewing machines...

[deniska]

So essentially what you are tell me is "stop whining you big sissy, this ain't a Lexus". How mean!

[tnhunter]

If you think it might be a spark knock, add some octane booster and see if it quiets it down. If not, then it wasnt. And yes they do make a lot of weird sounds.

[BigJohn]

So essentially what you are tell me is "stop whining you big sissy, this ain't a Lexus". How mean!

No, don't think I'm mean. Just cruel....

And no, it ain't no Lexwing...If ya' really wanted absolute silence, you shoulda bought a Lexwing...(he said with great sarcasem.....)

[Hoppdog]

It sounds something like this:

Knock, Knock.
Who's there?
Spark.
Spark who?
Spark Knock!!

Couldn't resist.

LOL

[Roadrunner2]

If you sat on your car/truck engine as you drove it you would hear some strange noises also. But what you describe is not spark knock, you will not hear spark knock at idle. Mainly under load in hi temp is when you will hear it. Sounds like marbles bouncing around in your cylinders. Mine does this occasionally and will stop with a downshift to increase rpm so that the motor isn't lugging as much.