Hi all. My baby is starting to make a new fast "ticking" sound when I first start up until i drive about 100 feet. My oil level is unchanged and I haven't noticed any leaks or other problems. Once I start moving a bit, the sound goes away.

Could my oil be thinning or could my transmission need service soon? Could it just be a normal noise that occurs until the engine oil has time to fully coat the internal parts of the engine? It's just that I haven't heard this sound before, and it's been about 2 weeks since I've been noticing it.

Look up ACCT in the Verses.

You may be hearing valve train noise. Our bikes have hydraulic lash adjusters to maintain a zero clearance rather than using shims. This system uses oil as the fluid. While the bike is sitting the oil drains out of the top end of the engine. When you start up the engine it takes a few seconds for oil to get back up there. The noise could just be the age and miles on the bike (what are they) and if not that, changing the oil in the event that it has thinned out is not a bad idea. I am rebuilding my motor right now to repair some problems in the valve train. TRUST ME new oil is much less expensive and time consuming than buying new valve tappets, rocker arms and cams!!!!

Thanks for the advice, guys. My baby is an '05 with just 6800 miles on it. I would be very disappointed if my ACCT springs were in need of replacement at this low mileage.

I will be servicing my bike very soon (changing the oil & filter & coolant, checking the plugs, and performing a grambo trick, among other things). Hoping this will solve my ticking problem. Wouldn't want to ignore it now and pay more dearly for it later.

If your ticking is the ACCT, I'm convinced it's due to lack of oil lubrication for it to function properly. I dismantled my front acct, greased the threads and re-assembled months ago and it's been working to spec: not a tick out of the old girl (95) just a nice purr...

• (of a vehicle or machine) make such a sound when running smoothly at low speed.

DT

Mine went out at 7500 miles or so