Got it Running...hearing some strange noise

[tcoop]

Ok. I have a 78 xs11 standard.
After doing some repairs:
Lights
Ignition
Changed main Oil

The bike fires right up but idles a little rough(carb cleaning and syncing should fix that).

The problem that i have encountered is a clanking sound coming from the transmission. I could not tell if it is coming from the clutch, middle gears or something else.

Any insight would be helpful.

[CatatonicBug]

Is the noise happening while moving, or just while sitting still with the engine running? Does RPM increase change the sound?

Do you have the heat shields on the mufflers? If they are loose, they can rattle and make an awfull racket that's hard to locate.

[tcoop]

Had it on the center stand in nutral.
When reving the engine it chanks faster. It sound lik a loose/ broken gear
I have not taken it through the gears while the bike is running, but I have taken it throught he gears just sitting there rocking back and forth.

No heat shield. It has 4 to 1

[trbig]

You might try setting it on the sidestand so you don't have to drain the oil, pull the clutch cover, and check that the bolt that holds the gear shaft against the engine case hasn't backed out. It could be backed out slightly and letting gears clash a bit, (Doubtfull since it's in neutral) or that bolt could be backed out enough to let the clutch basket gear grind on the head of it. If you have the cover off, that bolt will be sitting at @ the 7 oclock position behind the clutch basket.


Tod

[cheezy]

also try checking the vacuum line from the timing advance to the port on the carb body, not the carb boot. i did this and it sounded like the engine had blown up!

[Winterhawk]

Maybe the cam chain tensioner bolt stripped out and came loose? Could it be so simple? Probably not.

[bikerphil]

Out of sink carbs will cause the engine to buck, and the main Hy-Vo chain will slap the case inside the engine. Might be your problem. JAT

[tcoop]

On syncing the carbs, do I sync #1 to #2 then #3 to #4 then #2 to #3 the same as my XJ750?

[CatatonicBug]

On syncing the carbs, do I sync #1 to #2 then #3 to #4 then #2 to #3 the same as my XJ750?

Yep. That's the way to do it. Beware though that as you adjust any of them, it can affect the others. Using a 4-port sync tool is best, so you can see all of them at the same time.

[trbig]

Nope...#3 is not adjustable. You tune them to that. 1 to 2, 4 to 3, then 2 to 3.

With the running time you'll need to synch the carbs, if that nut I spoke of is getting ground on, or the gears meshing from it being loose, it could cause more problems. A Hy-Vo chain isn't going to sound like a broken tansmission gear, and the sound from it comes mostly from right under the cylinders. If it sounds like it's further back in the clutch or middle drive area you described, that's where I suggest looking first.

I wouldn't say this is a very common problem, but it has happened quite a bit to people.


Tod

[lee_dutcher]

Maybe the cam chain tensioner bolt stripped out and came loose? Could it be so simple? Probably not.

maybe a valve job will help the chatter...helped mine alot but still chatters a little but goes away after a certen rpm

[tcoop]

Took the clutch cover off and could not see anything wrong there. I will check out things on the other site of the bike tomorrow.