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I own a 1993 750 vulcan, I get lifter noise from the engine until it gets good and warm. Some times I have to ride a few miles before the clatter stops. Does anyone else have this problem with thier vulcan? Other than that the bike runs great. It has great power, and great accelleration. If anyone has any info please post. thanx, nitrider

Hey Niterider -

Your bike doesn't have lifters - it's dohc ... probably has a shim over bucket setup. You might be hearing camchain clatter, or your valves may need adjustment.

The VN750 does have hydraulic valve lash adjusters and yours are probably leaking down when not running due to wear. How many miles on your VN750? Have not heard of this complaint much on bikes with hydraulic lash adjusters, was very common on cars years ago. Are you using proper weight and grade of engine oil and changing it regularly? Think it would be quite expensive to replace the hydraulic lash adjustes.

My 85 650 Nighthawk had the hydraulic lash adjusters and one of them ticked a bit till warmed up. Had about 60k miles on that bike when I traded it on the 97 GS500E. The VN750 is still one of the better performing mid size cruisers and being a mid 80's design has many nice features the newer models don't have.

No noise like that from my bike.

Seems like the clatter started shortly after my first oil change. The bike now has 16,000 miles, I used the weight oil recommended 15/40 in castrol. I tried to quite the clatter by going to 20/50 castrol, the next oil change I tried 50 wt. racing oil, still some clatter. I am wondering if I am going on the wronge direction with the weight. Also is the chain also adjusted hydralicly? I just got home from work went around some rain. More ideas on the noise. thanx so far. niterider

hahah man o man here I am thingking Pushrods and stuff

I knew I shouldn't have posted that late at night

I'd stick w/ the recommended oil grade. Are you sure the sound is the adjusters? If you take the blade of a screwdriver and put it against the engine, and put your ear close to the other side, you might be better able to pinpoint the noise.

If you are using a heavier grade oil, maybe the oil pump isn't building up enough pressure until the oil warms up? Or maybe the oil pump is giving up the ghost? Strange problem.

The noise comes fron the upper part of the engine. It is not consistent. I was hopeing that the heavier oil would not bleed out of the lifter as easily as the lighter oil does. On the other hand it seems quiter when the oil is hot and lighter. I guess I will run it till it straightens out or dies. Go Vulcan!!! niterider