Metallic sound from ?header?

[qbrainerd2]

*sorry ! Accidentally posted this in the members loung first*

Hi All!

I am NOT a motor guy so I don't know what the proper verbage is for things related to the motor so I will do my best to explain what I am hearing and from where...

When the bike is running there seems to be a moving metallic sort of sound coming from the top of the engine. Appears to be making the sound all the way across all 4 cylinders. Not sure how to describe it. It sounds like...well, I don't know what it sounds like. I guess knowing vaguely how the pistons and all that work, it sounds like what it seems to me the metallic moving parts would sound like with too little oil, but the oil is full. Kind of like if you hear a robotic application with small metallic arms and such that operate up and down quickly...that type of noise.

It could be perfectly normal for these bikes or it could be some indication that something is starting to go wrong or is wrong. It seems it has made the noise for a while, maybe since I have owned it (not quite a year). I am getting ready to sell it (to a buddy, possibly) and I want to be able to sell with confidence that it isn't going to brake down in short order or blow an engine any time soon. I know I am burning some oil, possibly some blow-by on one of the cylinders. Besides that don't know...

Hopefully someone can offer a suggestion or some assurance...I appreciate any and all feedback!

[trbig]

These bikes do have a tinny metalic sound to them in the top end... much like low oil or something. My old Yamaha YZ250 dirt bike has the same sound. A friend of mine says it sounds like a hive full of hornets trying to get out. There are some little rubber plugs that go in between the fins to help a little... but you'll always have that sound. With a fairing, it gets funneled up to you and is worse!

One thing you can do is adjust the timing chain. Read up on how to do this so you don't bend anything. Don't over torque the set screw either.. it's easy to do since the housing is just aluminum. This can quiet down some noisy chain noise sometimes if that's the noise you hear.

Do your regular routine maintanance, and you should be just fine.

Tod

[qbrainerd2]

Thanks a bunch! That makes me feel a lot better.

Now if I can just get the carb issue resolved...:-)

[Wildkat]

You said it makes the noise when it's running...

when you aren't moving as well as when it is moving? or only when you have it on the road?

Not certain that the stock exhaust on the XS with its double walled headers (I'm currently running single wall after market pipes) could do the same thing my FJ did... but I heard a noise on it that sounded much like a spun bearing... ended up being the inner wall of my header had come loose and was banging around... mainly when I was on the road... but occasionally while sitting still...
One of those... I hope it could be this... rather than... YIKES!... things...

JAT

Good luck!

[qbrainerd2]

The noise is constant whenever the bike is running, moving or not.

[prometheus578]

Cam chain might need adjusting, like TRBIG said.

[Axel]

metallica ?

[TADracer]

Probably just normal valve/cam chain/cam noise. Top end of these motors can sometimes be heard above many other normal motor noises. Cam chain can be rather noisy also.

If you do not have a motor stethoscope, take a piece of wooden dowel and place it against to your ear and touch the other end to several places along the top of the motor. You should be able to hear everything inside and it should sound like smooth mechanical parts moving in concert with each other. If you have something out of order, it should sound different from the rest as you get closer to the problem spot.

[birch]

Little rubber fin stubs

Well, I always wondered what those rubber things in between the fins were and what purpose they served. Dampener--huh?

Also, I had to take the exhaust off to change my filter and heard the same noise after racing a crotch rocket. I thought I bent a valve or something, but it ended up being a loose manifold bolt. Thank god for loose manifold bolts!

Casey B

[Hammerhead1st]

My standard has that sound, but its due to an exhaust leak at the head.

[Paintman]

tap tap tap

My 79 special does that and everything is perfect just drives ya nuts when people say ya have a valve loose.But i have had bikes with double walled pipes seperate like kat said and though terrible things had happened.

John

[planedick]

Common

I know what you mean. I really worried about mine when I first got it. I found that it's common for these machines and they make lots of noise. Don't worry it will grow on you and you will begin to appreciate how reliable these things are. Just put in your ear plugs and ride.....

[Hammerhead1st]

Like a teen with a new car...just turn up the radio......

[trbig]

just turn up the radio......

Just not TOO loud. Oct of '06 I was headed to an Oklahoma rally, cruising along at a pretty good clip.. 70+ with bursts up to 100 to pass cars. I had my trusty MP3 player with ear buds cranked... enjoying the day, music, and wind. I had to stop at a stoplight in a town after 60 miles and something didn't "Feel" right with the bike. Turned off the music... and it sounded like 5 little kids with hammers beating on my motor! No telling how long it had been going on.

So... listen to music... just don't drown things out. You'll come to love the bike's sounds as much as the music.


Tod