Timing Chain Noise
 

My 1999 R1100S (50,000 mi) has a slight valve taping at start-up. It goes away after only a few seconds. One fellow told me that this was the timing chain tensioners (one on each side?). Another person said that it is most likely the sliders/rails that the tensions push against the chain with most likely worn.

Has anyone fixed this on their bike before?
Is it doing any valve damage?
Is this "hot", or back burner stuff?

Thanks,
Bob K.

Bob,
My bikes ('99 R11S and '04 R11S) did that pretty much all the time. Conventional wisdom says it's the cam tensioners coming up to pressure and taking up the slack. I never worried about it. I think these bikes are more likely to start giving up from the tranny aft....the motors are pretty strong. Back burner for sure.

Ditto. Back burner at most. This is normal.

Thanks Bob & Roger for the advice. I love my "new" bike. I thought that this was note a big deal, but wanted to be sure!

Past rides:

2006 FZ1
2006 MultiStrada 1000
1985 K100RS
1990 GPZ550

Bob K.

The worn cam tensioner issue mostly affects startup, but it can also affect noise while running. If you really want to do everything within reason to quiet the engine, replace the left tensioner with the newest parts and reduce the rocker arm clearance until you can barely detect vertical motion. That's about it.

The rockerarm endplay is a very good point. Just enough clearance to move and not bind.

Pointers on tightening up the endplay?