Please listen my engine sound. Chain?

[car5car]

Video 1

Video 2

[ringadingh]

I listened to it a few times, but its such a short clip I couldn't really tell what it is. If you suspect the timing chains are rubbing, unscrew the spark plug tubes and look for any signs of the chains cutting into the tube. It will be very obvious to see.
If it is the chains rubbing and you let it go much longer you will develop a good oil leak as soon as the chain cuts through the tube. Then you will need new tubes as well as the extenders.

[VulcanE]

Plus all the aluminum shavings going into the oiling system.

[macmac]

I am on 56 K...... A real easy way to tell is to adapt a steel rod like a 3/8" extention or rebar rod in any handy length to be stethascopes like a doctor would use.

There are no moving parts to drive a rod straight thru yer noggin, so it's safe. Just be sure the rod is smooth maybe polished even up against metal.

So start the engine and place the rod as close to the spark plug well as you can and place a ear to the rod. If you say, start on the right side as seated, and test the rear cly first, then compare that to the ft cly where the chain isn't you should be able to determine if the chain is hitting the tube. If it is it will be wicked loud testing like that.

Then try the other side of the bike where the ft cyl is the one the chain can hit. Do both to compare.

It will be easier on the right side as seated to reach the throttle and get up a little bit of RPM.

If you got arms like a gorillia reach over for the other side or get a helper.

And then if you drain engine oil, and find it nicely silvered you got a stretched chain and you will want to do something before you strike oil from a plug well.

[MAS Tequila]

Does it change if you pull the clutch in?

MT

[macmac]

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

Does it change if you pull the clutch in?

MT

Where are you going?

[MAS Tequila]

A lot of these motors will develop a clutch basket noise that disappears when the lever is pulled.

It is totally harmless, just a little unsettling at first.

A lot of noises are attributed to problems that don't actually need attention.

As I'm sure you noticed, having owned both a 1500 and a 1600, they even have different noises. My 1600 made a lot more top end noise than any of the 1500's I have had.

MT

[chapi0351]

I have an 02 FI nomad that the noise and vibration is really noticeable between the clutch in and clutch out with the noise an vibration be the greatest when the lever is out. Is this the clutch basket noise you are talking about? When the clutch lever is out, you can feel the thumping in the left side case and the noise is louder.
thanks
Chapi in Texas

[MAS Tequila]

Yes

Originally Posted by chapi0351

I have an 02 FI nomad that the noise and vibration is really noticeable between the clutch in and clutch out with the noise an vibration be the greatest when the lever is out. Is this the clutch basket noise you are talking about? When the clutch lever is out, you can feel the thumping in the left side case and the noise is louder.
thanks
Chapi in Texas

[chapi0351]

So this noise and vibration (thump, thump sound) in normal and does not need attention? The reason I ask is that it seems to have gotten louder over the last few months.

[ringadingh]

These are typically noisey motors by design. Some days mine sounds like a bucket of bolts, other days not so bad. They seem noisier in the colder weather also, at least to me it does. I wouldn't really worry about it too much, they are a bullet proof motor for the most part.

[Ramakill]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

If you suspect the timing chains are rubbing, unscrew the spark plug tubes and look for any signs of the chains cutting into the tube. It will be very obvious to see.

How do you unscrew the tubes?? I have a noise coming from the right side (low down on the engine) and want to check to see if this is the source of the noise. Also, it does fade away as the engine warms up? Even my wife noticed it - "What is that knocking noise?"

[cnc]

Originally Posted by Ramakill

How do you unscrew the tubes?? I have a noise coming from the right side (low down on the engine) and want to check to see if this is the source of the noise. Also, it does fade away as the engine warms up? Even my wife noticed it - "What is that knocking noise?"

Just unscrew the spark plug, Then you will notice the tube is hexed inside. I don't remember the size, but I believe the front axle wrench fits it.
Also maybe the intake solenoids, they make quite a racket that sounds like knocking some times.

[ringadingh]

A large nut will also work to unscrew the tubes, you dont even have to pull the spark plug out.

[Ramakill]

Originally Posted by cnc

Just unscrew the spark plug, Then you will notice the tube is hexed inside. I don't remember the size, but I believe the front axle wrench fits it.
Also maybe the intake solenoids, they make quite a racket that sounds like knocking some times.

Intake solenoids were removed when I installed Chuckster's dual plate intake. I'll give removing the tubes a go, thanks for the 'how-to'.