annoyin

[b1rks]

Bikes been running great. Finally! Went to start it to go to work the other morning and it was making a pinning metal sound, figures! Pulled out clymers manual, it could be one of the following; Gas - but I use high octane
Exhaust - checked
Piston wall too large - lots of power, burns clean,
doesn't use oil
Valves - most likely cause, last time they were done
was last spring.
Cam - did adjust, it turned harder than normal
Noise is definately coming from top - front of engine. Makes noise at idle, and continues to get worst.
Help needed! No great mechanic and would appreciate advice!

[cajun31]

did you by chance click the submit button before you were finished writing your post?

Looks like you got the edit in...

Have you checked the cam chain tensioner?

[79XS11F]

If noise if from the upper front of the engine and you are sure that is the source, check the cam chain tensioner as was pointed out .. Then check the valve specs on the exhaust valves .. then check the cam and the cam chain for wear.
Rob

[EZMoney]

Rob,
How do you check the cam chain for wear while it is in the bike?
On most chains you can stretch and compress the links while it is on a flat surface and can judge the wear but without taking the whole engine apart how is it done? I am putting my top end back together and it would be a shame if I needed a new chain after it is all back together. It seemed fine when the bike was running last fall.

[79XS11F]

I will check my factory manual for you and see what they say.
Rob

[trbig]

Just me personally... but if I had the top end of my motor already apart and I was even wondering about my cam chain... I'd just get a new one. $30 is pretty cheap for peace of mind.

You can release your tensioner like a normal adjustment (Folllow the steps) then tighten it back up. Then loosen the two allen screws and take the adjuster out. I don't know what the specs are right off hand, but measure between the base where the gasket sits and the top of the plunger. Release the set screw and let the plunger get extended fully and make that measurement again. I'm sure someone will chime in with the proper spec.. but if it's even anywhere CLOSE to already being to the full extent of adjustment... new chain time.



Tod

[EZMoney]

Sorry to bump in on your thread b1rks

Talk was going towards cam chains and cams so I thought I would borrow a little air time Thanks

[planedick]

Same for me..

When I got my XS I worried about the top end noise, then I finally found a local with an XS and listened to his which was noisy too. After seeing a few more of these things I discovered that it is normal for the XS. Pretty noisy top end is pretty normal.

[mro]

Cam Chain

Can be replaced with just removing valve cover.
Don't need to remove engine, split cases, yada yada.....


mro

[79XS11F]

I checked my factory manual and all it says is that except in cases of oil starvation the cam chain should wear very little. It also says that if the chain stretch is excessive and tension can not be maintained within normal tensioner range that the chain should be replaced. So if your cam chain tensioner is somewhere in the middle of its slide range your OK. If you pull the tensioner off the engine to check the slides position be sure you have a new gasket before you remove it. You might also want to replace the little seal at the forward end while your at it. They are still available and not very costly.
Rob

[b1rks]

annoyin

thanks for all the great suggestions