Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hi guys, quick question for you. I've got the bike running okay now, but there's a funny noise coming from the engine, on the exhaust header side.

To me, it sounds kinda valve-like, but I've not much experience with the kwaks so it could be normal..

I've taken a clip of it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emEfprnUMEM

Its the "ticka ticka ticka" noise that I'm on about. Is that normal or do I need to delve further?

have you checked your valve clearances
also check if you have an exhaust leak
i couldnt really hear it on my laptop but thats where id start
cheers Tim

Yeah, thats what I was thinking, will be re-checking the VC's tomorrow in case I messed up the first time

Don't think its the exhaust, as I can't feel any blowing when I put my hand near it.

fair enough if valve clearances are O.K you should be right i guess
do these have a cam chain?

Mate that sounds to me like an exhaust leak.

sounds to me like an exhaust leak. nice shot of the drive way
how about a shot of the muffler and the other connections
quick fix is silicon till you replace gaskets if thats where the leak is or just tighten the header bolts

nice shot of the drive way

Well I wasn't going for John Ford style video production quality man, as it was the sound I was looking for opinions on

Thanks for the thoughts guys, will do a full check in the morning.

Exhaust leak, check the four into one collector box joint, header gaskets and bolt torque, just sounds like an exhaust leak but I may be wrong.

ref comment....

Yep as above I'm defo going for exhaust leak not valves.

Sounds like the header gaskets are stuffed or the header bolts loose or both.. Classic exhaust blow..(will pop and backfire on over run too huh???)

Stick something over the silencer exit (rag so don't get burnt), engine should stutter to stall. If it doesn't, there's an exhaust leak. It should also pressure the leak and you'll either hear or see where the gas is escaping.

Congrats and thanks to all who suggested an ehaust leak, you were correct.

Was on headers 2&3, which have a connecting tube about 5inches down, looks like it got disconnected when I was trying to get the headers onto the flanges!

Re-connected & tested and its purring like a cat(all be it one thats been smoking 40 a day)

Now all I need is to make a seat and double check that everythings tightened and it's ready for the track!

Awesome -------- Enjoy mate