Hello! I have a 1985 K100RT which I am fettling back to perfect. Just got it home toady and many areas need attention, but this is my first. When started cold, it makes what sounds like a cam chain noise. At tick over, but when revved, it smooths to that of a well tuned sewing machine with a good muffler. Oddly enough, when cold as soon as the choke is activated, this noise also dissappears. I haven't ridden it long enough to see if it totally disappears, only rode it a mile home....

Does this sound like a typical K bike noise? If so what parts are likely to be suspect?

BTW has about 60K miles on it but that is a close estimate only due to a faulty speedo / odo.

Just a thought but you may not be getting enough oil pressure at low revs. Is the oil pressure light on at idle? Check your oil is at the correct level. An old sight glass can make it difficult to get the level right. Oil could be old or incorrect grade.

The choke doesn't work as a 'choke'... its simply a fast idle setting

Give the machine a good sevice and see how she goes.
This is worth a read to get your machine up to scratch - You just bought a used K100, so what now?

From your description it sounds like you may have the common 'diesel knock' which can be caused by incorrect valve clearances and/or unbalanced throttle bodies. Well, it was the combination of the two on my bike...

Oddly enough I though of both those after I went to buy oil and such! I'll check both tomorrow. IF someone can tell me how to check the throttle bodies for sync!

Cheers!

Kev

There's plenty of info to be found in the forum about TB sync. Try the search fuction on the Portal or the Forum tabs. It works really well. Then if you have any questions, come back and ask.

As it happens I am experiencing something similar but lately noticed a spike in fuel consumption, first noticed in August when BAE was here and my K was taking more fuel than his on a like for like trip. My tickover has suffered and now I only get a good tickover when the K is warm. I am putting it down to injectors/fuelling but going to check the clearances too for peace of mind.

I am going to do a complete service this Friday so after that I'll know if the noise goes away after the oil and filter change. And I'll check and adjust the valves if needed.