Noise from engine

[nashville_bill]

I have an engine noise (a Metallic Rattle) that I can hear from about 3500 rpm to 5000 rpm. It sounds a little like what I used to know as "piston slap" but I wonder if it could be the timing chain. I have adjusted it but I guess it could be worn and just needs to be replaced. I could hear a little something before I installed my windshield, but the windshield reflects the engine sound and does away with a lot of the wind noise.

I have these two questions:

1. Does this noise sound familiar to anyone?
2. How can I tell if the chain needs to be replaced?

TIA

[dragxs11]

How long has it been since your valves were adjusted Bill??

[strom]

The camchain... sounds like pulling a chain over a log.
Could be the valves, bad gas, carbs out of sync, ign. timing out of sync, or just a car alarm going off while you were riding by.....
(happened to me... really... on my first test ride. Didn't know what it was till later).

LP

[Winterhawk]

Your cam chain could be streched. Maybe the inside of you adjuster is warped some so it won't click back. A trick I learned from Merriam Cycle . His book was pretty good also. The name is XSEleven Heaven . Just finished reading his book now I know I'm in heaven on this bike.

[Winterhawk]

You could get one like this from Merriam Cycle

http://www.usa123.bizland.com/merriamcycle/html/gallery-PA.htm

[D. P. Larmee]

Not sure if its the same thing, but my bike has always had a fairly noticeable vibration in the 3500 to 4000 rpm range. State of tune seems to have no effect either. I've just learned to live with it and push through that rpm range quickly.

[nashville_bill]

Well, I adjusted the valves last year and I think it is less noticeable after adjusting the chain, but it's hard to tell. I can hear it when in that rpm range with a little throttle. If I crank on it, I can't hear it.

How do you tell if the adjuster is warped?