What Causes the Ticking Sound in Motorcycles?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons for the ticking sound in motorcycles: 1. Excessive valve clearance, leading to abnormal noise. 2. Excessive gap between the small end of the connecting rod and the piston pin. 3. Damaged crankshaft bearing; replace the bearing at a repair shop. 4. The valve head operates at high temperatures and is subjected to gas pressure, valve spring force, and inertial forces from the transmission components, with poor lubrication and cooling conditions. Valves must possess certain strength, rigidity, heat resistance, and wear resistance. 5. Faults in other transmission systems or loose screws, causing poor connection between motorcycle components.
My old car used to make that kind of noise too—the tapping sound is most likely coming from the engine. If you've just had it serviced, first check if the oil level is low or if the wrong type was used. Parts grinding dry inside the engine can cause that rhythmic noise. If the valve clearance is too wide, the tappets and camshaft knocking against each other will also make noise—a common issue with older cars. For chain-driven vehicles, a loose chain slapping against the undercarriage can produce a tapping sound too. Folks who’ve modified their exhaust systems should double-check—poorly welded joints can vibrate and rattle. Just last week, I worked on a car that sounded like metal ball bearings bouncing in a tin can—turned out to be a worn camshaft. Talk about a wallet-crusher!
