Kx450 engine tapping sound

Grovesy98
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Grovesy98
My 2020 KX450 has been making a loud tapping sound since I bought it a few months ago. I've done around 5hrs on it and it's run absolutely perfectly. I had a new piston and the valve clearances checked 2hrs ago but it hasn't made any difference to the sound. The valves were in spec and the engine looked perfect inside, the stock piston had done around 35hrs and wasn't that worn at all. Any ideas what this sound can be? Does anyone else have the same sound? I've been told by a few dealers and mechanics that it may be the new finger follower design cams/valves and its quite normal. The bike runs spot on but I've never had this sound before unless the valve clearances were loose or the cam chain was worn out. Both are all good

Video Here

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JBoneMotorworks 12/13/2020 4:45am
12/13/2020 4:45am
How has the oil looked for changes? Any large flakes or black hairy looking slivers on the drain bolt magnet? Hard to tell from the video and it may sound worse in person but it doesn't sound terrible.

I would say to let it warm up again for a few minutes, (maybe put a fan in front of the rads), and see if the problem goes away when you pull in the clutch lever, or the sound gets softer.

If it does, I would suggest taking a look at the clutch baskets and plates, they may be wearing in a little bit and chattering.

I know the Honda used some sort of spring system or something along that line and guy were doing some sort of spring delete and adding a plate in there to make up the diff and it was a good mod.

Good luck- J
Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 12/13/2020 5:45am
12/13/2020 5:45am
Oil has been fine with no metal.

No difference if I pull clutch, had a complete new genuine clutch when I bought it.

Sound is loudest at the head where it exits into the header pipe
JBoneMotorworks 12/13/2020 5:51am
12/13/2020 5:51am
I suspect that this sound although new to you may be just the sound of the bike as it is now after being ridden for a bit.

If there are no signs of debris in the oil, piston looks good, bore looks good, no damage to valve seats, (did you check those when you did a top end?), or valves, only thing left really is maybe the cam chain and or cam tensioner..it may be clacky now but at 35 hours I would say it should have lasted a bit longer than that.

Ride it and see..good luck
LKHill
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LKHill 12/13/2020 9:00am
12/13/2020 9:00am
The oil pumps on the Kawasaki's make a loud tapping sound. lol.
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kb228
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kb228 12/13/2020 10:54am
12/13/2020 10:54am
Souds like excessive valve clearance
RGaede
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RGaede 12/13/2020 11:12am
12/13/2020 11:12am
See the 2019 kx450 thread in the main forum. This is normal for the new engine design.
Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 12/13/2020 11:18am
12/13/2020 11:18am
Thanks for the replies. Yeh I thought it sounds like a loose clearance, but they are in spec. Also starts in split second and runs great.

If it helps to diagnose, the sound only becomes really apparent once the engine warms up after a minute or 2.

Ive read every page of the main kx450 post and keep notifications for any new replies Grinning
DB505
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DB505 12/15/2020 6:51am
12/15/2020 6:51am
It’s the finger follower design, it’s noisy! I had the same question about mine, got the same answer from Kawasaki! ! It is annoying though !
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Paw Paw 271
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Paw Paw 271 12/15/2020 8:05am
12/15/2020 8:05am
DB505 wrote:
It’s the finger follower design, it’s noisy! I had the same question about mine, got the same answer from Kawasaki! ! It is annoying though !
X2

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Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 12/15/2020 3:34pm
12/15/2020 3:34pm
DB505 wrote:
It’s the finger follower design, it’s noisy! I had the same question about mine, got the same answer from Kawasaki! ! It is annoying though !
It's nice to know I'm not alone, but yeh it's really annoying Huh
bpelton95
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bpelton95 4/24/2024 11:20am
4/24/2024 11:20am
Grovesy98 wrote:
My 2020 KX450 has been making a loud tapping sound since I bought it a few months ago. I've done around 5hrs on it and it's...
My 2020 KX450 has been making a loud tapping sound since I bought it a few months ago. I've done around 5hrs on it and it's run absolutely perfectly. I had a new piston and the valve clearances checked 2hrs ago but it hasn't made any difference to the sound. The valves were in spec and the engine looked perfect inside, the stock piston had done around 35hrs and wasn't that worn at all. Any ideas what this sound can be? Does anyone else have the same sound? I've been told by a few dealers and mechanics that it may be the new finger follower design cams/valves and its quite normal. The bike runs spot on but I've never had this sound before unless the valve clearances were loose or the cam chain was worn out. Both are all good

Video Here

What fuel are you running in it? My owners manual on my 17 kx450 says if you hear a knocking sound then change the fuel rating to an octane rating of 90 or higher. So I’d recommend running premium if you don’t already 

40acres
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40acres 4/24/2024 1:12pm
4/24/2024 1:12pm
bpelton95 wrote:
What fuel are you running in it? My owners manual on my 17 kx450 says if you hear a knocking sound then change the fuel rating...

What fuel are you running in it? My owners manual on my 17 kx450 says if you hear a knocking sound then change the fuel rating to an octane rating of 90 or higher. So I’d recommend running premium if you don’t already 

3.5yo thread with a clear answer to the problem above your post. And that was not a knock, it was a slight tick. 

Welcome to Vital...?

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