So what is that noise? You know, THE noise.

[moto]

Hydraulic lifters, I presume.
I have little ticking noise from lifters, I change oils and noise disappeared little.
Next spring I change full synthetic oils what removes all lifters tickings, I presume.

[basilbug]

And this one's pretty quiet also:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usWGnrNzQTI

[basilbug]

I like this bike, definitely does not have the cam chain tensioner noise and I love the lowers he put on the front end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij6qh_UtSRI

[basilbug]

Apparently just about every vulcan 1500 engine makes the same noise.  But why?  I moved up from an 800 drifter to a 1500 drifter in June and I absolutely love it, but I just can't get used to this noise.  I thought maybe if I knew what was actually making it I could ignore it more easily, or maybe there's a way to quiet it down.

I really think it's a cam chain tensioner. My DRZ 400 had the very same noise and I had a manual cam chain tensioner installed on the bike and as the engines running you can turn it in very slowly and the noise went away ran very quietly after that,  unfortunately our drifters don't have the manual cam chain tensioner adjuster....Sucks.... I did see some website that some guy made one and made it quieter but I can't remember where I saw it.

[Lucky]

the fuel injector noise?

[Troll]

Mine makes the most noises when it is cold. After it warms up, it's pretty quiet. Not sure what you mean by "the noise"...if you set the idle too low, you will hear lots of noises

[Bucko]

Mine makes all manner of noises so it's not clear which one you're referring too.

[ThinRedPaste]

Apparently just about every vulcan 1500 engine makes the same noise.  But why?  I moved up from an 800 drifter to a 1500 drifter in June and I absolutely love it, but I just can't get used to this noise.  I thought maybe if I knew what was actually making it I could ignore it more easily, or maybe there's a way to quiet it down.