[brancher]

Hi, All.

I just picked up a Nomad - 2002 - low miles, warranty, etc. My first Kawasaki, I picked it over the HD Road King. I've noticed that the engine is NOISY and I can't seem to pinpoint that confounded high-speed tapping sound that happens at certain rpm's. It's not incessant, nor does it seem to affect the performance, but I'd love to know how to get rid of it.

The dealer said it was normal for Kawasaki big-V's, and not to worry about it. He also said the `1500 is a noisy engine' as a big V-twin. He also added that the windscreen exaggerates the sound by providing a sound path to the rider, and it's really not very loud (huh?) to others.

Other forums say:
1. fuel pump spring can be replaced to get rid of the sound
2. It's from the valve configuration, no remedy.
3. Heavier oil (or lighter oil) is in order, depending on who writes.

Any KAW techs on this forum? I'd love some insight on this bike's engine and how I can maximize performance while minimizing sound ugliness.

btw, I like the bike otherwise - the look is unforgettable, the styling is great, and it (so far) is very nimble for its 750-plus weight. And, when I get the Cobras and the PC installed, I expect it'll just get better.

Thanks
Brancher

 

[Spok]

Welcome to the world of the Kawasaki big V-twin. Yep, that ticking noise is normal, they all make it. I still think its got to be something wrong but it keeps ticking away.

I'd say, when it stops making that noise, start worrying

and hey, welcome to the fourm

 

[brancher]

ticking....tapping....lugging....

Okay,

But I'd bet there's someone out there with a stethoscope and a remedy! After driving the Nomad a few hundred miles, I am learning how this road cruiser likes to be shifted, and how fast he can really go without breathing hard. What a great bike (of course, I'm just getting back into this - my last bike was Honda 550F - before marriage, kids, mortgage, etc)....

It just keeps surprising me with its ability to wind out, keep up the speed, and handle curves and corners as lightly as it does. I think this engine tapping thing may end up to be one of my (notorious) science projects before it's over with....

Thanks!! for the welcome and the input.

Hey, you may know... where can I get a good solo seat and a curved luggage rack for it? Looking for a cruising solo, one that'll take a chrome trim ring and a little luggage rack that hooks up where the passenger pillion sits.....

Thanks again.

brancher
Currituck NC

 

[x-wing]

If you can't stand that little ole' noise from the motor, how ya gonna take all that NOISE that'll be comin' outta them new pipes??? :lol:
I guess everyone has their own idea of what noises are good and which are bad.......

 

[brancher]

NOISE

Well, the pipe noise isn't really noise, is it?

Anyway, we'll see when the pipes come in. BTW, every heard of Sea Foam? I use it in my Trooper, it does a marvelous job of keeping my Trooper engine clean.

br

 

[Ron.Wade]

1500 engine noise

Brancher and ALL,

I also bought a 02 Nomad with 13,000 miles on it and had the same noise problem. Since you didn't say how many miles this may not be it, but keep the info for future reference.

There are 2 automatic cam chain tighteners which are located at the lower section of each jug. They look like a dome with a bolt in the end. What happens is that the tensioner adjuster extends as far as it will go and the cam chains keep getting looser. The only way you can know if the tensioners are fully extended is to remove them. I suggest that you purchase a Clymer Kawasaki Vulcan Classic repair manual. The 1500 Classic and Nomad have the same engine and many other parts that make this book useful for the Nomad owner.

To fix this, Kawasaki makes a cam chain tensioner "extension". Unfortunately, these extensions are (or at least were 2 months ago) only available through Canadian Kawa dealers. F---, I don't know why and it makes no sense, but that's what I found at the time.

You might do a search through this site for Canadian dealers or ask about it on the VROC.org forums ( http://www.vroc.org/forums/index.php?t=thread&frm_id=2&rid=&S=c4ef5132d6c3a87fe80db50edbe0141d )
A member there provided me with who to contact and a phone number but, per usual, I can't locate it now.

Another person has posted the step by step instructions on how to do this modification which I have copied here (http://www.vroc.org/mailarchive/varchive/msg09487.html).

The parts are not expensive and it is not to hard of a job if you have some mechanical ability and metric wrenches. No special tools are needed. The dealer here in Indy had NO idea what was wrong so it was the same explination you got. They also had NO idea this part existed either. Really gives me confidence if anything does go wrong.

Ron Wade
[email protected]

 

[brancher]

THANKS!! Ron,

That is very useful info for the future. I've only got 4k miles on mine, but it may be the same problem / procedure.

Is there any tapping at all now? I've put several hundred miles on mine now, so I'm used to the sound at this point and don't even really noticve it anymore. Mine is still under warranty for another 22 mos or so, so I'll relax a bit 'til then.

thanks again!

Be Safe....

 

[ispeed77]

cobras

brancher
just wanted to drop you a line about them cobras. just took a set off my nomad cause i was not impressed with the craftsmanship. no matter what i did, i could not get the heat shields to stop rattling. the mufflers rusted by the mounting points within two months. i went with a set of V&H dual baggers. they are the same price, but they are backordered. they seem to be like night and day. i put them on almost a month ago and have not touched the heat shield clamps since the install date. the sound is similar if you leave the baffles and heat wrap like they come. actually, i think the V&H pipes just have a better tone. there's my two cents, either way enjoy your bike, i think you made a wise decision. ride safe.