Rattling noise... compressor chain

[Zdude]

1st time I started the SX, the rattle sound startled me, last maybe a couple seconds at most. Now, over 2000 miles later it still sounds exactly the same on cold start up, dealer said they all do that on this model. Doesn't do it after the bike is warmed up when shutting down for a few minutes to get gas or something, don't hear anything at all after that cold initial start when riding. I just thought it was the supercharger drive before warm and oil being pumped to it, no problems noted at all other than that start up rattle. Certainly doesn't bother me as much as my Ducati Streetfighter dry clutch rattle, hated that sound, sounded like something was wrong in the engine. While stopped at traffic lights people would look over at the bike like they thought something was broke in the motor LOL!

[Lemental]

I just dropped mine off for it's 500 mile/1st service. I have the noise as well. The service manager assured me it was normal for the h2...then in the next breath said it was the first h2 they had ever serviced. I'm not sure the noise isn't a resonance in the air inlet tube, but I guess we'll all see soon enough. BTW, what kind of pricetag has everyone's dealer had on this "elaborate 1st service"? I do know it's su[posed to include checking impeller run out on the supercharger, but that should access thru the inspection cover. 3.5 hours labor seems high to me.

[cOoTeR]

I just dropped mine off for it's 500 mile/1st service. I have the noise as well. The service manager assured me it was normal for the h2...then in the next breath said it was the first h2 they had ever serviced. I'm not sure the noise isn't a resonance in the air inlet tube, but I guess we'll all see soon enough. BTW, what kind of pricetag has everyone's dealer had on this "elaborate 1st service"? I do know it's su[posed to include checking impeller run out on the supercharger, but that should access thru the inspection cover. 3.5 hours labor seems high to me.

The impeller is behind the air filter.

[N4speed]

Does the blower have a chain tensioner? Since so many have the same , I would guess it's normal.

[Snakes709]

Does the blower have a chain tensioner? Since so many have the same , I would guess it's normal.

Yes. It sits mid way back of the gas tank on the right side.

[N4speed]

Good to know thanks

[tj2k]

I know this is an old thread but my brand new (2020my) has 240 miles on it - makes a ringing noise at 3000 rpm & at other speeds when it hits it's point of resonance - it's like a riiiiiiiinnnnnng noise - like a bell (if it held perfectly at 3k revs). It's at the supplying dealer and they don't know what I'm on about & keep telling me "well they are a noisy engine (which I agree with on the latter).

I'm convinced this is not the noise described in this thread (which I've no issue with) - which if I'm correct I think all H2's I've heard do the same (not the ring noise). As soon as they / mine rev up, they sound quite smooth (to me) - except with mine alone, at the points of resonance for this ringing sound. To me, it also sounds like a washer is loose on a solid metal rod (I don't think thats the issue but thats what it sounds like).

Cruise control is not working on mine either & they can't figure that out.

It was booked in for its 1st service on 1st Oct but I don't even have the bike to get the miles up to 600 & wanted to keep the bike in the dry whilst its new - won't be long here in the uk before salt is put down which plays havoc on bike components but hey ho.

Does anyone have any clues / suggestions on this ringing I'm describing? its difficult to record, I have sent the dealer this vid from when I was riding it but my phone was in the slip-stream of air and so it was difficult to capture - but it is there - subtly - see here on YouTube; listen carefully to 47 seconds in - as I try hold it at 3k till about 56/57 seconds - then at 1min 16 to 1 min 21ish & also at exactly 2:24...



It doesn't sound too bad but it drives me nuts, I have a C3 pro lid and I hear it straight through that no issue at all (that lid of the quietist - supposedly!).

Thanks all

[danham]

tj2k,

On the very rare occasions I ride mine without ear plugs, it sounds like (to borrow a wonderful phrase from a UK member of a BMW forum) “a bag of spanners falling down a metal staircase.”

Hard to tell, but yours sounds like something outside of the engine is loose. My only other thought is, have you (or they) checked supercharger impeller end play?

-dan

[tj2k]

Thanks for the reply Dan, I agree they really are a noisy engine - and yes, as you say the ringing noise I'm hearing is tough to glean from that video but its def. there. I need them to say "ahhh yes, you mean this noise <they then demo the noise to me>" & I'm "YES!" & they then give me a good reason for it being normal (I'll take some convincing as it's not the other more lower frequency mechanical noises the engine is known for) OR they say, "we agree, we hear it, that aint normal - let's investigate..".

They've not given any detail as to any checks other than to literally say "they are a noisy engine..." & "sounds ok to us" which means absolutely nothing to me if they can't validate they're even hearing the noise I'm describing (which they are not).

They are thinking I broke cruise control by very simply removing the clutch lever; I was going to fix non-OEM green & black foldable levers but they were obviously different (for the H2 not H2 SX) - so the OEM lever was off the bike for about 23 seconds and was slid straight back on again. They're saying one of the switches are broken - I'm 100% I've not done anything to that bike. The clutch lever just comes off with no drama & goes straight back on - no rigidity / resistance, just the one slot-bolt with semi captive nut. Plus, cruise didn't work from the get-go (before I took the clutch lever off anyway) but of course I think they have doubts on that & are looking to cite me as root cause.

I've had 4 brand new Kawasaki's (inc 2 ZZR1400's) & never once had a single issue. Ive now had 2 x H2's on the trot with issues, albeit the 1st H2 was it having had a hard-life & a lack of putting the bike right before retailing it to me - which caused me to buy a brand new bike.

[KompreSXor]

I removed my clutch lever to grease the pivot and plunger, and although I was very careful I still managed to bend the tip of the CC switch plunger over causing the CC to fail. Its a really tiny switch that's almost hidden. Luckily I only needed to remove the lever and re-seat the plunger/tip to restore CC.. It looks like its very easy to damage the plunger/switch.

As for the "ring" it sounds normal to me. Mine sounds very similar under light load like yours. Mine may be even louder because I run an aftermarket air cleaner. Wait for your first service and get the Supercharger end float checked, if its within spec your golden.. Im at over 14000 miles, my engine sounds the same as day one!