Why loooong periods produce no startup rattle?

[IdahoDoug]

We've been on vacation and the Cruiser sat for a month. This happens once a year or so and I noticed this time like I always do that the engine starts up with nary a rattle on this first start up - every year - despite it always being winter cold conditions. Completely illogical. My rattle's nearly nonexistent but I cannot figure for the life of my why after it sits for weeks there's nothing to be heard. Shut it off to get groceries and I can hear the faint sound when I come out. At least that's what WOULD happen IF a guy were to actually get groceries in his 80. Shameful.

DougM

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

Are you talking about piston slap?

 

[Beowulf]

Welcome back Dougie... We missed you!

(Not much help on the "missing" SUR.) Maybe the long cold spell tightens up the chain?

-B-

 

[Riley]

Like B said. Welcome back Doug, seemed longer than a month since your last post. I was wondering what happened to ya.

Riley

 

[IdahoDoug]

Been fairly busy, then working on buying parts and building up a road bike (you bikers know what that quest is like - "How much does that binder bolt weigh - oh, is it available in titanium), then the holidays and now we're home. Thanks for missing me.

As for what the rattle is, I'm assuming it's the timing chain tensioner as many have carefully analyzed the sound. At any rate, mine is eerily quiet on this first cold start of the year - absolutely zero sound. Strange.

DougM

 

[miked]

could it be that the chain tensioner is sticking? i mean sticking all the way to the extended tightened position? coming out from the store, the chain is warm and a bit larger so you hear it a bit.

 

[PDoyle]

can one of you guys explain this noise? I've had a noise that sounds something like the valves clanging sometimes when I start it cold.