Knocking

Discussion in 'The Garage' started by David Stormageddon Bloxham, Mar 11, 2012.

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  1. David Stormageddon Bloxham

    David Stormageddon Bloxham New Member

    I have noticed today a slight knocking on my ninja when I open the throttle.. it sounds like something is knocking against the fairing (It cant be that as its only when the throttle is open) - its not there all the time but most of the time..

    Any ideas?
     
    David Stormageddon Bloxham, Mar 11, 2012
    #1
  2. markc6631

    markc6631 New Member

    I had the same problem mate, was my front brake pads rattling
     
    markc6631, Mar 11, 2012
    #2
  3. Vvtr

    Vvtr ( . )Y( . ) Turtle Z VIP Member

    have u got oil in it? (notice i avoided the temptation to type lube lol)

    any vibration through the footpegs under load?
    could be the bottom end is fkt lol (/guffaw)
     
    Vvtr, Mar 11, 2012
    #3
    2 people like this.
  4. David Stormageddon Bloxham

    David Stormageddon Bloxham New Member

    Ahhh, Never thought of that - (you will need to be gentle with me as I am still getting to grips with the mechanics) - am I just checking they are not worn or do they need tightened or something?
     
    David Stormageddon Bloxham, Mar 11, 2012
    #4
  5. Barts Dad

    Barts Dad New Member

    Its a Kwak. Its meant to knock and rattle. lol
     
    Barts Dad, Mar 11, 2012
    #5
    3 people like this.
  6. David Stormageddon Bloxham

    David Stormageddon Bloxham New Member

    ROFL @ Lube - heheheheh

    The oil is fine... cant feel it though the pegs...

    Edit: I cant feel the knocking through the pegs (not the oil)... there would be something seriously wrong if I could feel the oil through the pegs :) even I would notice that!
     
    David Stormageddon Bloxham, Mar 11, 2012
    #6
  7. markc6631

    markc6631 New Member

    The calipers were seized on mine, think your bike has the same ones not sure. Calipers were stripped, cleaned and seals changed. Noise went away...............for a while lol
     
    markc6631, Mar 11, 2012
    #7
  8. David Stormageddon Bloxham

    David Stormageddon Bloxham New Member

    Cheers m8 - will have a look at it at the weekend :)
     
    David Stormageddon Bloxham, Mar 11, 2012
    #8
  9. Matty-S-182

    Matty-S-182 What Red Light?

    Comes as standard :lmfao:
     
    Matty-S-182, Mar 11, 2012
    #9
  10. kev1382

    kev1382 Welsh Hoonigan VIP Member

    :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:
     
    kev1382, Mar 11, 2012
    #10
  11. David Stormageddon Bloxham

    David Stormageddon Bloxham New Member

    Lol - not a fan then :)
     
    David Stormageddon Bloxham, Mar 11, 2012
    #11
  12. pch1

    pch1 In the gang with Ewan and Charley VIP Member

    Don't worry about it...I get a slight tapping on a closed throttle at 3000 rpm.
    Must be a Kawasaki thing to shake, rattle n roll :)
     
    pch1, Mar 11, 2012
    #12
    2 people like this.
  13. Jim27

    Jim27 Administrator Staff Member

    Knocking isn't rattling - they're very different sounds/sensations.

    Rattling from the front end is quite possibly the brakes. The standard 6-pot Tokicos are awful brakes and ideally need stripping, cleaning and refreshing every year or two. You can get the seal kits off ebay - don't forget that you'll need two kits (one for each caliper).

    Knocking could be a number of things. I was getting a knocking sensation through the footpegs which was my chain in desperate need of replacement (11 years and 24,000 miles on the original factory-fitted chain was pretty good going lol). Swapped chain and sprockets and the knocking sensation went away.

    Other things to check are that your oil is in good condition and at the correct level. Also put your bike up on paddock stands and check the free rotation of both the wheels to eliminate bearing problems as the culprit.

    Also check that your fueling is correctly set up - if it's running lean at WOT (Wide Open Throttle) then you'll get a knocking sound (detonation) which you either fix PDQ or prepare to replace the engine.

    As for bottom end knocking, your vibration/knocking might FEEL like something knocking against your plastics but it probably isn't. It's something mechanical and the vibration will be being transmitted throughout the bike. To check for bottom end knocking, take your fairings off and let the engine idle whilst pressing the tip of a screwdriver to various parts of the engine and press your ear against the end of the handle (wooden handled screwdrivers are best but any will work) - any internal knockings will be transmitted quite clearly down the screwdriver and you'll hear it.

    If it's your brakes that need refurbing then there will be no rattle/knocking unless the bike is moving. Same goes for the chain/sprockets. If it's knocking/rattling when stationary and in neutral my money will be on it being the bottom end - probably the big end bearings. What mileage has the bike done?
     
    Jim27, Mar 11, 2012
    #13
  14. David Stormageddon Bloxham

    David Stormageddon Bloxham New Member

    Duplicate
     
    David Stormageddon Bloxham, Mar 11, 2012
    #14
  15. David Stormageddon Bloxham

    David Stormageddon Bloxham New Member

    Its not when stationary or when I don't have the throttle open. Will put it on the padock stands and see if I can recreate it while stationary.

    Thanks for your replies...have a lot to go on now.
     
    David Stormageddon Bloxham, Mar 11, 2012
    #15
  16. ListerTheStupid

    ListerTheStupid Is it summer yet? VIP Member

    If my little kwack don't knock/rattle i think there is sumthing up with it :lmfao:
     
    ListerTheStupid, Mar 11, 2012
    #16
    2 people like this.
  17. David Stormageddon Bloxham

    David Stormageddon Bloxham New Member

    LOL - Took it to work this morning... its still there but can only hear it, not feel it.
    It rattles all over the place - am used to that now :)
     
    David Stormageddon Bloxham, Mar 12, 2012
    #17
  18. lavinia

    lavinia Navigator Extraordinaire

    [sub]listers kwak cries real tears too[/sub]
     
    lavinia, Mar 12, 2012
    #18
  19. David Stormageddon Bloxham

    David Stormageddon Bloxham New Member

    Tears make excellent stock for soup... ;)
     
    David Stormageddon Bloxham, Mar 12, 2012
    #19
  20. Ninja-Sean

    Ninja-Sean New Member

    What condition is the chain in?

    When they start to sieze they can rattle and knock about on the swing arm, I bet it is that.
     
    Ninja-Sean, Mar 12, 2012
    #20
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