rainman
23rd April 2008, 19:39
It's been a while since I posted one, after all....
Last Wed night I had parked my bike outside (in the cool air) at the BRONZ meeting. When I started her up afterwards I thought I heard a bit of an intermittent pop or knock (not a backfire) - about every second or two. As I had the helmet and balaclava etc on I wasn't sure and the noise went away soon after. Some of the guys there thought they heard it too but I was on the other side of the parking lot and it had gone by the time I got over to them to double check.
Bike's been running fine, still is. Hadn't heard the noise again, been busy and ignored it for the moment. This morning I pulled her out of the gargre and started up, same again. Lasted for less than a minute, and there's a knock every second or so until she warms up. Rode to work fine, and I didn't have a chance to get out to Colemans/Holeshot/... during the day - crazy diary disease. Parking at work is warm so she started up fine on the way home tonight.
The question is, is this a sign of imminent doom and I should proceed direct to the nearest spannerman first thing tomorrow, before the piston is ejected from the exhaust, or can I book in a more leisurely inspection after the long weekend? I have no long distance riding plans this weekend, but may head out to Muriwai for a coffee at some stage.
I realise noone can diagnose the actual fault over the internet but I suppose I'm asking what's the worst case scenario?
Bike is a 1997 Suzuki VZ800 Marauder, 37000ish km's.
Last Wed night I had parked my bike outside (in the cool air) at the BRONZ meeting. When I started her up afterwards I thought I heard a bit of an intermittent pop or knock (not a backfire) - about every second or two. As I had the helmet and balaclava etc on I wasn't sure and the noise went away soon after. Some of the guys there thought they heard it too but I was on the other side of the parking lot and it had gone by the time I got over to them to double check.
Bike's been running fine, still is. Hadn't heard the noise again, been busy and ignored it for the moment. This morning I pulled her out of the gargre and started up, same again. Lasted for less than a minute, and there's a knock every second or so until she warms up. Rode to work fine, and I didn't have a chance to get out to Colemans/Holeshot/... during the day - crazy diary disease. Parking at work is warm so she started up fine on the way home tonight.
The question is, is this a sign of imminent doom and I should proceed direct to the nearest spannerman first thing tomorrow, before the piston is ejected from the exhaust, or can I book in a more leisurely inspection after the long weekend? I have no long distance riding plans this weekend, but may head out to Muriwai for a coffee at some stage.
I realise noone can diagnose the actual fault over the internet but I suppose I'm asking what's the worst case scenario?
Bike is a 1997 Suzuki VZ800 Marauder, 37000ish km's.