c50 engine sounds - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Boston · 07-18-2007, 04:56 AM

Hi all,

I was curious about the sounds of the c50. Mine is an 06 with about 12000 km or 7000 miles. The oil is changed regularly and had the valves adjusted in January/07. No mods to the engine but have put on an engine guard and quick remove saddle bags. It has always sounded a little clanky on the right side (exhaust side) but not obnoxious. It is not as quiet as the shadows I have heard. I do find lately though that when I get going in 3rd at around 62kmh or 43mph just before I change to 4th there is a kind of buzzy ticking noise from the exhaust end, almsot like there is a reed buzzing. It seems to be more noticeable when it is warm out. Should I be concerned or does anyone else get this from time to time?

Boston

thanks in advance for some input

AZRyder · 07-18-2007, 03:07 PM

I get the same thing on my c90t. especially when it starts up, kind of a thwacking sound on the exhaust, almost sounds like a valve hammering. the 90 is supposed to have self adjusting valve. I also get the buzzing sound when riding too. Seems to be coming from the left side though

cfift · 07-18-2007, 04:42 PM

It is normal internal engine noise. Just has my C50 in for service and asked about it. The tech told me it is just normal internal noise. Suzuki makes noisey bikes lol.

peter-reebok · 07-18-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfift

It is normal internal engine noise. Just has my C50 in for service and asked about it. The tech told me it is just normal internal noise. Suzuki makes noisey bikes lol.

When you cant hear any mechanical noise - time to panic - means that there is NO valve clearance.

Boston · 07-19-2007, 04:36 AM

Yes, I've heard and read on this site that the engine is mechanically noisy. While the Shadow goes "phut-phut-phut" the boulevard goes "twack-twack-twack". I tried to do the valves myself at the start of the year and left them too loose so paid to have my "fixen" fixed. It sure gave me an appreciation of the trouble to get at the valves. Thanks for the feedback.

Powerslave · 07-19-2007, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZRyder

I get the same thing on my c90t. especially when it starts up, kind of a thwacking sound on the exhaust, almost sounds like a valve hammering. the 90 is supposed to have self adjusting valve. I also get the buzzing sound when riding too. Seems to be coming from the left side though

That would be either; hydraulic LASH adjusters, or lifters, valves can't self adjust on their own, they are one piece. The part that makes contact with the lifter has to do the adjusting...

AZRyder · 07-25-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerslave

That would be either; hydraulic LASH adjusters, or lifters, valves can't self adjust on their own, they are one piece. The part that makes contact with the lifter has to do the adjusting...

LOL picky picky..

Copronymous · 07-25-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfift

It is normal internal engine noise. Just has my C50 in for service and asked about it. The tech told me it is just normal internal noise. Suzuki makes noisey bikes lol.

This is my 2nd Suzuki. Both have been NOISY.

Powerslave · 07-25-2007, 11:01 PM

My C50T has a low click when warmed up, but is not as loud as it was with the break in oil in it. IT "tack-tack"s when first started up, or going up hills, but when cruising, it's a nice low click-click...

Your GAS also makes a difference. I notice more noise with low octane as well.

johnnyvl800 · 07-26-2007, 06:15 AM

It's a suzuki, meaning keep good oil in it and ride like the wind.

Powerslave · 07-29-2007, 04:57 PM

I took a long trip this Saturday, over 300 miles. The engine is officially broken in, and is as quiet as ever! Just a little bit of clicking now, no where near as loud as it was.

Boston · 07-30-2007, 05:33 AM

Well, I went to the dealer here on the island. You'll never guess what was making the noise. It was the licence plate buzzing at a certain rev. Just had to move it a bit and it was fine. No more weird buzz. The best way to describe it is at certain revs it sounded like a bicycle with a playing card in the wheel, such as we used to do as kids. I'm glad that is off my mind.

cheers, boston

richj11 · 08-12-2007, 09:57 PM

I started to hear some kind of odd buzzing noise at certain speeds. Had me scared a bit. After reading this thread I went over everything and one of the clear turn signals I had put on the front (Clear Alternatives) was a little loose. Put the factory lenses back on and took it for a good ride and the noise is gone.... Whew!

I'm gonna go back to the clears with a little extra dampening on it somehow.

Dave Nadeau · 08-15-2007, 05:42 PM

I had the end of a metal tye wrap under the gas tank buzzing at 80 MPH. I just moved the loose tail end up away from the tank and the noise went away. I also did my own valves and set them, the exhast at the .008 and they make noise. I might have it PROFESINALLY done after next weeks vacation.

07-18-2007, 04:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
Boston Seat Tester Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: boulevard c50 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Posts: 64	c50 engine sounds Hi all, I was curious about the sounds of the c50. Mine is an 06 with about 12000 km or 7000 miles. The oil is changed regularly and had the valves adjusted in January/07. No mods to the engine but have put on an engine guard and quick remove saddle bags. It has always sounded a little clanky on the right side (exhaust side) but not obnoxious. It is not as quiet as the shadows I have heard. I do find lately though that when I get going in 3rd at around 62kmh or 43mph just before I change to 4th there is a kind of buzzy ticking noise from the exhaust end, almsot like there is a reed buzzing. It seems to be more noticeable when it is warm out. Should I be concerned or does anyone else get this from time to time? Boston thanks in advance for some input Last edited by Boston; 07-18-2007 at 04:57 AM. Reason: misspelling

07-18-2007, 03:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
AZRyder Sit speling cheker Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: Suzuki C90T Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 1,729	I get the same thing on my c90t. especially when it starts up, kind of a thwacking sound on the exhaust, almost sounds like a valve hammering. the 90 is supposed to have self adjusting valve. I also get the buzzing sound when riding too. Seems to be coming from the left side though __________________ -------------------------------------------------- I don't care if it's the unholy four, John Wayne and Dorothy Lamour I just don't wanna talk to him now......

07-26-2007, 06:15 AM	#10 (permalink)
johnnyvl800 Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: c50bk Location: Florence,Ky Posts: 28	It's a suzuki, meaning keep good oil in it and ride like the wind. __________________ '06 C50 black

08-15-2007, 05:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
Dave Nadeau TurtleWax Taster Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 08 ElectraGlide ( IN Vivid Black)!!!!!!!!!! Location: Bridgewater, Ma Posts: 596	I had the end of a metal tye wrap under the gas tank buzzing at 80 MPH. I just moved the loose tail end up away from the tank and the noise went away. I also did my own valves and set them, the exhast at the .008 and they make noise. I might have it PROFESINALLY done after next weeks vacation. __________________ The faster I go the behinder I get..... US Navy 68-72 Amphibs, Little Creek, Va. "The Old Man"

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07-18-2007, 04:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
cfift Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 06 Boulevard C50 Location: Clinton Twp Mi Posts: 47	It is normal internal engine noise. Just has my C50 in for service and asked about it. The tech told me it is just normal internal noise. Suzuki makes noisey bikes lol.

07-19-2007, 04:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
Boston Seat Tester Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: boulevard c50 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Posts: 64	Yes, I've heard and read on this site that the engine is mechanically noisy. While the Shadow goes "phut-phut-phut" the boulevard goes "twack-twack-twack". I tried to do the valves myself at the start of the year and left them too loose so paid to have my "fixen" fixed. It sure gave me an appreciation of the trouble to get at the valves. Thanks for the feedback.

07-25-2007, 11:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
Powerslave Banned Joined: May 2007 Posts: 197	My C50T has a low click when warmed up, but is not as loud as it was with the break in oil in it. IT "tack-tack"s when first started up, or going up hills, but when cruising, it's a nice low click-click... Your GAS also makes a difference. I notice more noise with low octane as well.

07-29-2007, 04:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
Powerslave Banned Joined: May 2007 Posts: 197	I took a long trip this Saturday, over 300 miles. The engine is officially broken in, and is as quiet as ever! Just a little bit of clicking now, no where near as loud as it was.

07-30-2007, 05:33 AM	#12 (permalink)
Boston Seat Tester Joined: Sep 2006 Bike: boulevard c50 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Posts: 64	Well, I went to the dealer here on the island. You'll never guess what was making the noise. It was the licence plate buzzing at a certain rev. Just had to move it a bit and it was fine. No more weird buzz. The best way to describe it is at certain revs it sounded like a bicycle with a playing card in the wheel, such as we used to do as kids. I'm glad that is off my mind. cheers, boston

08-12-2007, 09:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
richj11 In Training Joined: May 2005 Bike: 2005 C50T Location: Seabeck, WA Posts: 119	I started to hear some kind of odd buzzing noise at certain speeds. Had me scared a bit. After reading this thread I went over everything and one of the clear turn signals I had put on the front (Clear Alternatives) was a little loose. Put the factory lenses back on and took it for a good ride and the noise is gone.... Whew! I'm gonna go back to the clears with a little extra dampening on it somehow.

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