suzuki sv1000s tapping/cam troubleshooting

[nseagoon]

I have a Suzuki SV1000s K3 and I'm just looking for opinions or experience with an issue.

there is a tapping sound coming from either the crank or front cylinder.
it's fairly quiet compared to the engine so it's hard to tell exactly where.
it's about as fast as tappets but not as regular.
I can only hear it, I can't feel a physical tap, and can't pinpoint exactly even listening to a piece of wood against the block.
bike is not down on power.
it's only on idle and clutch in doesn't change it.
if put in to gear tapping disappears then comes back after approx 5 seconds, not as regularly.

currently both cylinder covers are off.
Rear cam chain feels fine, I can't move off the cog at all.

front cylinder when on front TDC has approx half a mm play.
when rotating the crank off front TDC I hear a faint click and I think it's the front chain coming under tension.

bike has done 89,000 km.
-is this bad enough to justify replacing tensioner after checking it
-should I replace the cam chains too
-or am I barking up the completely wrong tree?

[Grumph]

I suspect you've got a stuck tensioner on that cylinder.
Should be possible to set the engine at the point where the valves are shut on that pot and pull the tensioner for a look.

[SpankMe]

SV1000 engine tapping/knocking has been covered extensively over at SV Portal.

[AllanB]

You need louder exhausts.

Sorted.

Thank me later.

[nseagoon]

You need louder exhausts.

Sorted.

Thank me later.

Haha thanks.
Not the easiest to find. The current ones aren't on the quiet side according to my neighbours

[caspernz]

Start by replacing tensioner insert (spring) or even switching front and rear cylinder ones.

My previous Suzuki had a tensioner problem, replaced insert, problem sorted. Cheap as chips too, but it made an audible difference at idle.

[nseagoon]

well good news, the front tensioner just needed a clean.
reinstalled and the play disappeared from the front chain. the engine is back to its usual mess of normal sounding rattles and taps.

unfortunately the front and rear can't be swapped on this one. not a bad one to consider on engines that do allow for that though.
Glad it's not the chain on this one, unlike the 650 or 400 according to the mechanic you can't just feed a new chain through, you have to pull the block out.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Glad it's not the chain on this one, unlike the 650 or 400 according to the mechanic you can't just feed a new chain through, you have to pull the block out.

Nah. You just use a chain with a rivet link.

[nseagoon]

Nah. You just use a chain with a rivet link.

you done a SV1000 before?

It's easy on the smaller ones, a bit too risky on the thou though.

[AllanB]

the engine is back to its usual mess of normal sounding rattles and taps.

That made me smile - they do like to talk those engines

[Crasherfromwayback]

you done a SV1000 before?

It's easy on the smaller ones, a bit too risky on the thou though.

Putting a rivet link in any cam chain is not a risk.

[nseagoon]

Putting a rivet link in any cam chain is not a risk.

I probably could have worded it better.
with the tools and experience I have I don't feel comfortable pulling this chain without risking it going to custard.
I probably could do it but I didn't weigh up the risk vs reward as worth it.
fat tool grips, big yam fingers, and a small working area simply aren't my friends.
especially since it was just a dirty tensioner, now happy as larry even without a new chain.