Loud Engine Ticking/Rattling on a Kawasaki

[flamegrape]

Does anybody know what could be causing a ticking noise on my bike?

When I pulled the bike out this morning, I started it up and there was a loud ticking noice from (the best I could find) under the petrol tank, more so to the right hand side.

There had been a slight ticking there for some time but very very feint and I was told this was common on Kawasaki's. Apparently it's the Kawasaki Tick. I have a ZX-6R J1. I was riding it Saturday and it was running fine, very smooth but today it was bad. You could hear it in the house through the open window.

When I rolled the throttle/opened the choke further, it got louder/quicker. When I put the choke back, it quietened/slowed slightly so it appears to be in line with engine revs.

I've had to leave it in the garage today because I've no idea what this is and it sounds very bad - I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions/ideas as to what this could be???

Is this a garage/mechanic job?

Thank you... in advance!!
____________________
Jonny (Riding his Kawasaki ZX6R J1)
It's one big learning curve right now

[neil.]

Usual suspects would be valve clearances too great (need adjustment), cam chain worn (check/replace), cam chain tensioner weak/failed (check/adjust if it's a manual one, replace if it's an automatic one), exhaust header/downpipe blowing (possible gasket broken, if so replace, or mountings are loose, so tighten back down).

[flamegrape]

Thanks neil.

You think it'll be safe to ride to the garage (10 miles'ish) to have them look at it? :\
____________________
Jonny (Riding his Kawasaki ZX6R J1)
It's one big learning curve right now

[Bezzer]

Save yourself a few quid before you take it to a garage and check the exhaust headers like Neil mentions, a loose one ticks and gets louder the looser it gets. Easy enough to nip it back up yourself.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[flamegrape]

I'll take a look at that tonight!
____________________
Jonny (Riding his Kawasaki ZX6R J1)
It's one big learning curve right now

[Pete.]

Valve clearances don't open up suddenly so a sudden change won't be that, unless the engine's been oil-starved. It could possibly be the camchain tensioner but the most likely suspect is as neil says a loose exhaust header. These tend to quieten as the engine warms up and will be very pronounced when cold.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[flamegrape]

[Pete.]

Give each header a good thump sideways first and see if any rattle.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[flamegrape]

Morning all... just a report back - I checked the exhaust headers last night, all looked secure so I started up the bike. It wasn't starting easily then I noticed some funny fkr turned my petcock off. I put this back on and it started and ran smoothly!!

(Hopefully not a silly) Question: If this was off, could a fuel starved engine (when it was burning the fuel in the lines yesterday have caused this rattling??
____________________
Jonny (Riding his Kawasaki ZX6R J1)
It's one big learning curve right now

[neil.]

Hmm leaner mixture could cause 'pinking' or pre-ignition, so I'd say that's a possibility.

[ZRX61]