Engine clicking/popping

[JunoAF]

Ok i got one for you experts out there...

finally...FINALLY got my 88 NInja 600R working, panels and fairings on, after 2 months of sweat, busted knuckles, and frusteration. Still have a carb sync that i need to get done on it then i can get it registered, insured, and inspected. Am outside making minor adjustments to the the idle and started hearing like a poping/clicking noise coming from what it seems like the left engine area... what do you guys think? Is that just the spark plug firing off? i would really like it to be a spark plug doing its thing rather than a valve or head malfunction.... thanks guys

nate

[JunoAF]

here is my 88 Ninja 600R. Still needs a little touch up paint in the back and maybe a power wash in the back but not bad for what ive invested.

Attachment 11823

Attachment 11824

Here is the problem spot i was talking about.. forward of the fuel tap. I should of pointed it out...oops
Attachment 11825

[Ericthejet]

How is the timing chain? Guides worn.
My 84 Ninja 900 ysed to be very noisy on it's left side. Installed a manual cam chain adjuster and noise all gone now,

Check the plug, may be bad.
BTW nice pictures.

[BostonSVkid]

Does it do it on accel or decel??

Could be a vacuum leak, could be the motor running heavy, could be lean could be lots of things.

[JunoAF]

so theres no good way of telling huh?

its only when its stationary in neutral. and what do you mean by "check the plug?" ive tested it against the frame to see if its firing and it does. the spark plugs are all new...

ive heard that its normal on kawasaki's but to me, no popping, pinging, clicking, ticking can possibly be considered "normal"

Couldnt tell you about the chain, ive owned the bike for 2 months-ish. Think its just worn?

[Ericthejet]

Disregard my plug question if they are new then.
It's an old bike and bound to make some noise.
If everything else is within spec. then go get a second opinion. If the bike has some miles on it then the cam chain adjuster may not be doing its job. It was a common issue on that generation of bike.

[BostonSVkid]

So the bike only pops when its sitting in neutral but not when you get on the gas or off???

[JunoAF]

So the bike only pops when its sitting in neutral but not when you get on the gas or off???

the only time ive noticed it is when i was sitting neutral adjusting the idle. maybe im just looking too deep into things. I took it for a spin around the block and it rode great with no sounds.

think maybe its just a cam chain? ive read that a lot at the kawasaki forums...

[butcher bergs]

Isn't the cam chain on the right side of that motor?

Ride more. Worry less.

[nerijusj]

Could be your CCT-cam chain tensioner problem. Lots of kawi's have it, it's a ticking noise, loose chain slapping noise? Put a manual CCT in there or try rolling it back in 5th or 6th gear and let he clutch out w/ bike off. Do that a few times. That supposed to loosen the chain even more that automatic CCT clicks up a notch tightening the cam chain. Try that, see if it helps. What I read was that stock CCT has a weak spring in there or smth that let's a chain to get loose.

[stoinkythepig]

It should have a coil spring tensioner for the cam chain. The springs get weak and don't take up the cam chain slack as well as they used to, that's when the noise starts. You can remove it, open it up, add a couple of turns of pre-load to the spring, and put it back in, but the process is not intuitive, nor is it a "standard" procedure. I'd live with noise for now.

[JunoAF]

lol ok this all seems greek to me! i think ill live with it for now, i havent heard it since my first idle run. i ran it up and down the block a few times and havent heard it since. I'll throw that on the back burner of "things to do."
thanks guys!

[stoinkythepig]

lol ok this all seems greek to me! i think ill live with it for now, i havent heard it since my first idle run. i ran it up and down the block a few times and havent heard it since. I'll throw that on the back burner of "things to do."
thanks guys!

Now it really sounds like the tensioner is/was the culprit. Don't touch it if it stays quiet.