Start up noises..

[Tubz1983]

Fuel pump is making a long noise when i hit the engine kill switch to start the engine from cold in the morning ? Alot longer than normal? Also the engine sounds a bit more tappy and agricultural than it used to (clutch area) and finally i sometimes get a sewing machine sound when its warming up from the clutch area ?
Ive balanced the carbs recently and about to change the oil and clutch cable as its at the end of its adjustment on the lever end (stiff to pull in as well)
Any thoughts? Cam chain tensioner? Bad cable? Gearbox?! Tbh The clutch and gear box engage fine on the move, quite slick actually... however pulling off from the lights is horrible, i have to almost launch it in higher revs to get it too slip properly? Any lower than 6k and it bogs down and then drops off the engine load (i feel a knock in the lever) and then i barely burble off the line... not sure what the issue is tbh
T

[Bretty]

My Guess...

When you balanced the carbs you removed the tank and dis/reconnected the fuel pipe from the tank.

When you reconnect the pipe, you tend to see people doing this with the tank tipped up at a
45degree angle. (Well this is what stupid me was doing) It all lines up and looks nice, but when you drop the tank back down you actually put a 45degree kink in the pipe restricting the fuel flow.

This will cause the fuel pump to run longer and louder and will restrict the engines power, starving the engine and making the bike behave like it has ran out of fuel.

Give it a check.. Try twisting the pipe upwards and/or lining it up while the tank is at the shallowest angle possible.

[Bretty]

I thought 'agricultural', 'tappy' a 'sewing machine' noises came fitted as standard to the fazer. Just put a noisy exhaust on, that usually sorts it. ;-)

[Tubz1983]

That was my first thought earlier, il look into that, thanks. Any idea on the clutch noises etc?

[darrsi]

I would've thought if the fuel pipe was kinked it would eventually just give up and cut out completely?


Sewing machine noise is the cam chain, it can make a noise whilst the oil is warming up, but can also remain if the tensioner is in between clicks.
Depending how you ride the bike can determine how long this can go on for. As i'm normally just commuting in traffic it took months for mine to eventually click last time, i actually thought there was something wrong with the bike when it suddenly went quiet warming up outside my work, the silence was deafening. 


If the bikes RPM is too low at tickover that can make a bike sound like a biscuit tin full of nails as well.
It should be around the 1200-1250rpm mark, but this needs to be adjusted when the bike is properly warmed up.


Clutch cable should really be adjusted at both ends, it may still have life left in it. Ideally you need a 12mm deep set ring spanner to do it easily and properly. Turn the wheel back in at the top, adjust the bottom correctly, then tweak again using the top wheel.


When you balanced the carbs was everything in good nick?
Air filter okay, bike up to running temperature, TPS checked before and after the balance, if any of these weren't right you could get a false reading on the balance. I've done it myself with a dirty air filter and it ran like shite until i did it again.

[darrsi]

Faulty TPS can make the bike very erratic at low revs too, i'd give that a quick check for starters.

[Bretty]

I assume your bike has been sat through winter, hence your servicing it.
It might just want a good run.

It's obviously difficult to judge from your description. Tappy noises, are common, usually camchain, but just check your exhaust manifold nuts are all tight and no leaks. The fazer does have a distinctive sewing machine noise anyway.
The clutch, if it's working just give it a good run and exercise, take off the sprocket cover and give the clutch cable mechanism a blast, clean and lube.

If it's still a concern, video it on your phone, put it on youtube and post a link here.

[Tubz1983]

I run it all year round, air filter is fairly new tbh, il check the fuel pump line later when i go back to the garage to put the oil in and hopefully change the filter over.

[darrsi]

Make sure the fuel tap is switched on fully as well.

[Tubz1983]

All of that seemed ok, and tbh the carbs werent far out really, il have a look at the pump line and see

[darrsi]

You mentioned cold mornings, tomorrow morning try opening the fuel cap then closing it before starting it, and see if it makes any difference.
Wondering if you've got a vacuum issue going on, so the fuel isn't getting enough air for the pump to feed the carbs properly. Something i think my bike may have been doing for a while, which is partly why i just changed the fuel cap for a shiny new one.
Worth a go anyway.