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  • #1

    Wondering about engine noise

    Hi guys i just picked her up about 2 weeks ago. I am happy to say that i will no longer need to own another bike. This IS the one and only for me now after going through 4 bikes in 2 years. I know some engine noise is normal for these old gals, but i just can't ignore the rattling sound. It sounds REALLY bad on the video, but in person it sounds half as loud. I have been reading up on the cam chain tightening and adjusting valve clearances and i will be doing those as soon as i get the manuel from PO this Tuesday. just wondering if you guys are able to recognize and see what would be causing that sound. thnx guys

    here is the youtube link

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31dUbLHJmqY
    1978 XS1100E Standard
    Kerker Exhaust
    Tkat Fork Brace

    On Hold
    TopCat S.O.F.A. + Fuse Block
    Mike's XS Pod FIlters
    Tags: None
  • #2
    "Maybe if you put some oil in the thing...!"

    Well... provided that there is nothing else wrong, I'd agree and say it's the cam chain.
    (My ears aren't as good as they used to be... which makes sense, as the rest of me is in pretty poor shape, too)
    Never hurts to run a compression check and to check the valve clearances. No noise makers there... it's just good to know that everything's ok.
    Yeah, wait for the manual. Instructions are pretty straight forward.
    Only caution is, do not over-tighten the bolt that locks the tensioner plunger in place after you've made the adjustment.
    Some people have stripped these... the adjustment then won't hold.
    Any questions, just ask.
    "Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor, not a mechanic!' ('Bones' McCoy)

    Comment

    • #3
      Sounds kind of like cam chain to me also. If you have an engine stethoscope you may be able to pinpoint the noise alot better. If you do not have one you can use a piece of wooden dowel and place it against your ear. Sometimes these motors make noises that sound like it is coming from 'here' when it is actually from 'there'. How many miles do you have on the clock?
      Mike Giroir
      79 XS-1100 Special

      Once you un-can a can of worms, the only way to re-can them is with a bigger can.

      Comment

      • #4
        noise

        The clattering noise when it was idling a bit rough sounds like the HY-VO chain slack jerking the tranny gears around. This sound is normal especially on a higher mileage motor. If the engine is idling smoothly, that chain won't jerk back and forth. That high pitched scraping noise is a bit louder than normal. That's the cam noise these motors make amplified by the cooling fins on the head.
        2H7 (79) owned since '89
        3H3 owned since '06

        "If it ain't broke, modify it"

        ☮

        Comment

        • #5
          I agree - sounds like the cam chain. I adjust mine every couple hundred miles. Out of synch carbs can make them sound like they're about to fall apart, also.
          I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

          '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

          Comment

          • #6
            ok i just did the cam chain and it way better! it also no longer sounds like something is spinning loose in there when i rev it really quick and release. yeah the loudness from the video is purely extra loud because of the camera. the camera is some how making it sound twice as loud and scratchy.
            1978 XS1100E Standard
            Kerker Exhaust
            Tkat Fork Brace

            On Hold
            TopCat S.O.F.A. + Fuse Block
            Mike's XS Pod FIlters

            Comment

            • #7
              noise

              Glad it was simple as that.
              2H7 (79) owned since '89
              3H3 owned since '06

              "If it ain't broke, modify it"

              ☮

              Comment

              • #8
                You are lucky it didn't slip the chain!
                Skids (Sid Hansen)

                Down to one 1978 E. Stock air box with K&N filter, 81H pipes and carbs, 8500 feet elevation.

                Comment

                • #9
                  maybe i spoke too soon hahaha! I now notice a constant metal to metal rubbing sound. I only notice this with my helmet on and i'm sitting on it with the engine on. It gets louder as i speed up. Kinda sounds like sandpaper on metal. It wasn't there before the cam chain adjustment. It sounds like something spinning and rubbing. Any ideas guys? I hope it's normal for old bikes hahaha!!
                  Last edited by Korr; 08-07-2008, 11:58 AM.
                  1978 XS1100E Standard
                  Kerker Exhaust
                  Tkat Fork Brace

                  On Hold
                  TopCat S.O.F.A. + Fuse Block
                  Mike's XS Pod FIlters

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Korr - I'd use TADracer's stethoscope idea to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. Just about any autoparts store will have them, and they're pretty inexpensive. I like them better than using a dowel or a piece of metal as they block out the ambient noise and isolate the sounds better.
                    I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

                    '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Ok i'll go pick one up at kragen friday and try to figure out where it's coming from.
                      1978 XS1100E Standard
                      Kerker Exhaust
                      Tkat Fork Brace

                      On Hold
                      TopCat S.O.F.A. + Fuse Block
                      Mike's XS Pod FIlters

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        I recently did a camchain adjustment and it made a huge difference in the sound of my engine. I do still hear a metal noise but these bikes are old; that is just how they are made. Everything is mechanical, no electronics. they are going to sound noisy. As long as there isn't debris in your oil...
                        Stock '79 xs1100 Standard

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Po did say it needed an oil change. I'll have to do that friday also. He says he used synthetic in it. I was reading about how full synthetic might cause clutch slippage. If i use a half snthetic would 20-50 be ok and who makes it? Would preferr a brand that could be bought at a cycle gear or a yamaha dealership. thnx
                          1978 XS1100E Standard
                          Kerker Exhaust
                          Tkat Fork Brace

                          On Hold
                          TopCat S.O.F.A. + Fuse Block
                          Mike's XS Pod FIlters

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Korr - I run 15w40 dino in mine. I tried 20w50 but it was harder to start cold. I think most would recommend against synthetics as most have friction modifiers that can cause the wet clutch to slip. When you look at the sae circle, make sure the lower half of the circle doesn't have any writing in it. I run the cheapest dino I can find and change it regularly.
                            I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

                            '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Castrol makes a synthetic blend. I have had good luck with it.

                              Originally posted by Korr
                              snip
                              If i use a half snthetic would 20-50 be ok and who makes it? Would preferr a brand that could be bought at a cycle gear or a yamaha dealership. thnx
                              Skids (Sid Hansen)

                              Down to one 1978 E. Stock air box with K&N filter, 81H pipes and carbs, 8500 feet elevation.

                              Comment

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