The "Knock"?

[2fs2ns]

Filled up with a fresh tank this morning...

When I got to work 25 miles later just as I was powering down I heard a knocking sound.  Had to go in, left it for later.

Today at lunch, after 10 mins of riding or so, I was stopped at a light and I could hear it pretty good, knock-knock-knock-knock, in small series of 4-7 "knocks".   I could hear this with my full face helmet on, with V&H pipes (not quiet).  I continued to hear it at the next few intersections.

Got to the restaurant and when I pulled up to let my buddies hear the sound, it had stopped.  Didn't do it the rest of the ride back to work.

When it was knocking, I put my hand down on the right side of the case and I could feel it knocking.

Bad gas?  It was just 87 octane, what I always run, but from a different station.

[MagnaMan]

He He He.

I've got the same year bike as you and I've heard a knock from day 1 with 1102 miles on it. I'm the running joke of MOOT, being labeled a bike-ro-chondriac.

I have tried everything under the sun to get rid of, or troubleshoot, "the knock".  It's definitely there. That's why I have a spare engine sitting in the garage. I now have 19,000 miles on the bike and she's still knocking but the gas mileage is still great.

First I would determine if you have the same knock as I do. Otherwise it could be something else.

The knock is generally the loudest when the engine is at operating temperature.
It appears to be the loudest coming from the right lower side of the engine where the clutch is.
You can feel it pinging sometimes in the frame or the engine guards on the right hand side. (Honda-line guards are more obvious.)

Be mindful and let us know what you find out.

[drkngas]

Was the diesel an option for only that year?

I only run the 93 octane in mine. $.20 x 2.6 gallons = happy bike

David
MOOT#362

[MagnaMan]

It's not the gas. I tried that too.  The best dyno pulls on the Magna have always been from 87 octane. It was designed for that rating.

[Jerry G Turner]

Lots of magna's have that knock my 94 had it if I got on it real hard it would go away for a while, but it never seemed to hurt anything just an annoying knock.

[MagnaMan]

Well the 94s actually had a knocking cam issue that was fixed in subsequent models. This knock is from the lower part of the engine, while the cam knock was supposed to be from the top. I haven't heard the 94 knock. I've only been told about it... around the campfire with the flashlight shining up on the storyteller's face.

[2fs2ns]

I thought this was kinda weird...last time I heard the knock I had just filled the tank.

Yesterday I filled up at lunch and what do you know...the knock came back.  I didn't ride today, it'd be interesting if it goes away again until I refill.

Bike seemed a little sluggish too.  Would the addition of the MC engine guard be enough weight to change performance?  It only weighs like 6lbs or something.  I wouldn't think that'd make any noticeable difference.

[Greg Cothern]

We loaded our 96 down to the limit (maybe a tad over the limit hehe 2 up, leatherlykes loaded till lids almost wouldnt shut, large expandable T-bag stuffed to the hilt) and took it to Eureka Springs the long twisty way.  Never had a problem pulling up through any of the twisties or hills.
RIDE it and ENJOY!

[SilverFox]

How many times has someone asked about the "mystery knock"?  Paul Dean's service column in the November Cycle World gives the answer.  It is "caused by a combination of uneven idle and worn clutch plates."  He goes further and says "some bikes make these sounds even when every aspect of their engines is in tip-top condition".   Now I can go ride, have fun and not worry about the "mystery knock".    

[Slydynbye]

Since you added the Engine guard I'm guessing a bolt not quite tight enough, seems like it would change with added weight of a fill up.
Second could be cam chain tensioner.
And for the real reach of a guess a carb idle jet out of synch. Too lean?

All my guesses are free but come with a money back guarantee.