My 1998 Vulcan 1500 classic...What is causing this sound

[@qcmotorider]

My 2001 Nomad started making that sound after it sat for a while. I thought something was really wrong with the motor so I asked a guy that worked in the service Dept. He said some Kawasaki's make that noise after sitting until the Oil gets worked back up into the motor. I ran it for a while and sure enough it stopped. I have to add that it took longer than I thought it should but I took his advice since he works on them all the time. It will start making the noise again if it sits for a month or so but it does stop after running it and I have never had any issues with the motor. I would just make sure to check your oil level and let it run.

[@oscarpimentel3364]

What correction is necessáry tô make for end this sound that for me is an sound of bad bearing when running

[@michaelbrayson4107]

How odd

[@michaelnelson5825]

I have two 1500 Kawasaki Nomads... a 99 and a 2002. They both made this sound at idle and slow engine speeds. After installing a 1/2 qt of Marvel mystery oil (from autozone) and a fresh 10/40 oil change, both bikes are very quiet now. The hydraulic lifters tend to get gummed up over time and sitting around. The 99 took about 500 miles to quiet down and the 2002 took about 2000 miles and it was the louder of the two bikes.

[@elrodchris22813]

Michael Nelson i have a 99 1500 that seems to be makin the same noise.. runs like a champ but just has that slight valve tapping or what ever im goin to give this a shot and see if it works cause im not tryin to pull the whole motor on my first bike. any other advice on what it could possibly be if that dosnt work... also dose that marvel mystery oil go in with the rest of the oil? thanks in advance

[@garyrobinson2150]

Michael Nelson - How much of the Marvel did you put in with the engine oil? And did you also put any in the fuel tank?

[@dhammo749]

its deffo the motorbike making that noise ..luv from uk .

[@oscarpimentel3364]

Guys note in my 1500 the sound is noted only after the temperature of oil up for normal, I dont like It is the same sounds produceds for bad bearing, the Kawasaki Co. "Need" tô comments this solution for end this problem, the internet and Dealers Kawasaki need to receive instructons for to inform for owners and shops.

[@marcosberto1]

Você acha que pode estar com algum problema além da lubrificação? Digo isso, por que a minha 2006 VN1500 também faz esse barulho quando o motor ainda está frio, depois que aquece e lubrifica, o barulho fica normal.

[@oscarpimentel3315]

​@@marcosberto1seu caso é o contrário a minha faz o barulho depois de começar a esquentar em 2 minutos já faz, se a sua apaga a luz de pressão de óleo vermelha eu penso após a patida nós primeiros 4 segundos tem de apagar então existe pressão de óleo normal, entregando tem um aditivo chamado Flushing que alguns recomendam pra limpeza interna dos dutos e galerias que antes da troca do óleo pode aplicar e deixar funcionar por 15 minutos na marcha lenta ele poderá limpar caso esteja com obstrução porém pode não funcionar se a obstrução for algo sólido, eu pela pesquisa que fiz a mecânicos em SP notei que ninguém tem experiência com essa moto e a fábrica poderia ajudar mais com informações, não tenho usado a moto por causa disso, está guardada nós fórum falam pouco sobre ruídos e é muito importante não ter dúvidas sobre as condições estarem normais ou não dá pena estragar se pode ser evitado

[@adriannakerrie4489]

ive done much research into this issue as I have a modified 97 vulcan classic myself that makes the same noise. first off kawasaki has crappy bore tolerance so after a few thousand miles it sounds like the heads are trying to shoot through the block. cam chain tensioners usually don't reach end of their lifespan til about 50000 miles but if that is the issue just buy some extenders or better yet replace the autos with manual tensioners. kawis are naturally loud in the big Vs but as someone else mentioned those dampeners go bad after about 20000 miles. yeah Vulcans are rattle traps but as long as you still have good oil pressure its not the POG, good compression its not your heads actually grinding or a rod knocking. Your best way of testing is check your oil screen and see if there is any metal particles in your oil. if not, nothing is rubbing or grinding so no worries of seizing the engine or breaking the block. were this sound coming from any bike but a Kawi i would be worried but for most kawis it is perfectly normal

[@AlfredMoi]

Something may be wrong but when nothing is done about it one is not going to find out. Perhaps some dirt on the valve lifters or primary chain slack. As you can see in the avatar, I am having the model with fishtail exhaust and decided to rebuilt the rear damper. Two short pipes that have obviously been broken off and pulled out by proud owners. Many want to do that and some people pull the labels off their mattresses. Riding without the (empty rendered) tail section I experienced an invisible bike following me, one that was powered with compressed air. I heard all the so typical engine noises twice and quite separately, now behind me. I had high hopes of succeeding in masking them with a new, home made, baffle. Noise that all say is common for the VN1500. After building a cut-trough and drilled aluminum hot water bottle into the rear end and securing it with a triple thick layer exhaust wrap and bend pieces of steel mesh, all being pushed down with the bigger size screwdriver, also in making room for the rivet, I have experienced complete lack of mechanical noise. It just ain't there anymore. At the rear you only hear the afterburner effect, it is like rumbling. Next to the front nothing more then the core from the piston being pushed down and gasses escaping. My bike wasn't loud in background valve tapping and transmission noise but it sure was noticeable and it had been built in 1999. Didn't expect to be able to let the sound disappear that one hears specifically up front and not trough the exhaust. However. Was it successful in silencing the loud bike? People say it did do something and that it sounds better but quite honestly: no. Not a way to bring the decibels down or it must be your cup is filled with ease.

[@dalecarpenter8828]

sounds like an exhaust leak or maybe a spark plug is loose or hole in the pipe ?

[@catfshart2255]

Did you ever find out what it was? Mines making the same noise. But mine would die. It’s a 1988. It’s only got 18,000 miles. I believe it’s the cam chain tensioner. Because if it’s not creating tension then the cyl will hit the lifter and kill it instantly.

[@Peterlyons22]

you can see in the video were the back pipe goes into the motor the piece is shaking its loose or brook but its deffienty an exhaust leak

[@honndo100]

Sounds like the front cylinder is not firing, Piston just flapping up and down. These kawi Vulcan 1500's need more fuel. Either drill or buy a much bigger idle jet, Then pop off the idle mixture plate on the bottom in the back of the carb, TURN the idle mixture screw out or open one full turn. Also!!! check the jet needle seat, THE main jet holds the needle seat in place, IF the needle seat is in upside down, And it could be, you'll get no fuel during throttle.

[@nateboliv]

What was it? I just bought te same bike and its making the same noise

[@chillypepper6612]

old one but is this the fuel pump

[@damanisin4775]

Did you ever find out what this was?

[@spencersquires8458]

Mine makes that noise when it 1st starts up after sitting for a while. But I know mine is because its dumping liquid fuel in the rear cylinder (misfire). Do a compression test on both cylinders, then pull both spark plug wires on one cylinder at a time. (Misfire test) poor sound quality to tell but its always worth a try.

[@mikecaldaroni3091]

More than likely your oil pump gave out I have the same exact bike with the same exact problem

[@mistrettafambam9807]

don't even worry about it just ride it until it breaks that is all you can do unless you want to spend about $1400 on someone pulling the engine out of the frame for a $10 part and 5 monutes worth of work once the engine is pulled????

[@antonsimmons4495]

It's crazy but you're absolutely right. It's probably a cheap part but takes intensive and costly labor to get to....I have a 99 VN1500 , my cam chain broke on the rear cylinder, chain cost $94 but probably a few thousand in labor...I said EF it, I've been riding with no problem for about 3 months now... I'll ride til it breaks and then maybe I'll just do an engine swap....

[@Tracer9GTRider8]

I have a VN1500FI Classic with 7k miles and it makes the same noise

[@kinderutz]

Rod bearings

[@thekirby53]

It's your lifters. One is sticking most likely. Had same issue.

[@mooser321]

How would you fix that?

[@hotboy197988]

@@mooser321 they sell them on Amazon for under 20

[@scottstipetic8894]

No backpresher or lifter shim gap

[@grandcrappy]

Clutch basket circlip failure? 'Bout have to remove cover.

[@nyterose1968]

go buy yerself a Clymer manual, tear that puppy down to the bare cases!! micrometer EVERYTHING, write everything down! replace every bearing! every seal ! all th a O rings! the wheel bearings, the speedometer cable! THE FRIKKIN BLINKER FLUID!!! put it all together, then starting with the battery, take it out, test the acid, do a load test, if any doubt,replace it. go next to the starter relay, test it, replace if nesseary, check yer stator, and the regulator recitfyer. replace as nessesary, check yer starter motor, just in case.. by that time yer probabbly outta beer...beer run.. when ya git back, ya look at yer petcock and notice its turned off...................................

[@mooser321]

Done shit like this too many times haha.

[@Slugg-O]

What did you find? Hope not as bad as it sounds.

[@ricktackett4353]

Is there water in the oil

[@oscarpimentel3364]

It make the oil with white color and ia easy noted

[@kevincooney1014]

I'd say the timing is a hair off .

[@NASA-AU.]

Hey did you find out what the noise is from? Im buying a Vulcan this weekend and want to be prepared!

[@john-254cyclesalvagegersna7]

That sounds like it’s not getting oil to the lifters- which are hydraulic - very common issue in these model - the cheap plastic oil pump gear -

[@sickmike2010]

@@john-254cyclesalvagegersna7 I have a 03 and just brought it after a couple of rides it's making that noise at 60000 miles on it I'm stuck my guy saying that it's a done deal on the engine 😠 but I need other opinions or guidance

[@737ng9]

My 04 1500 classic carb is making a clacking sound too. Went and bought a stethoscope from O'Reilly for 12 bucks and unfortunately the sound is coming from the crank case. My sound on the by only happens when I'm going into high ram to shift or just giving a little gas at cruising in lower gears. So I'm assuming rod bearings? Any input would be awsome and if that is the case can I get to them through the crank case cover on the right side?

[@kikiaguilar2604]

Sounds .like an exhaust leak

[@wes326]

I have the same bike with 23k miles. That sounds bad.

[@Jodyrides]

It sounds like, I’m glad I didn’t buy one of these bikes

[@Thedeaconoftrade]

Your running on 1 cylinder, check your plugs then check for fuel. Might have a gummed carb

[@cannonblaster5222]

Anyone ever find out what this noise is? Mines making it also

[@leon-fz4cd]

oil gear pump !

[@michaelbrayson4107]

It's got a odd klank in that location

[@michaelcoumans1251]

can,t hear cleary but after 20,000 miles oil pump drive gear(plastic junk, anmd lifters go bad) good luck

[@johnniestuckey6181]

automatic compression relesses

[@mikebob8815]

I have the same issue with my 96 15classic i was told by a friend who has a 900 that it is the timing chain thats loose, he said that there are 2 and its a semi cheap fix. heres a link he sent me. mine are on the way, will be here monday, ill let u know how it goes. www.ebay.com/itm/400417380071

[@mistrettafambam9807]

your wrong because pulling the fucking engine from a vulcan 1500 will run you about $1300 on the cheap side $1600 with the pro's

[@justinnewgent2083]

That would be your lifters buddy

[@kerns05jk]

Self adjust

[@susdad]

@@kerns05jk right. And FI

[@Peterlyons22]

you have an exhuast leak

[@BA-jv7yy]

rod bearings