Cam Chain Noise or Exhaust Leak?

[jacksf]

Quick question..can camchain noise come and go during a ride? I am still hearing what I think is a noisy chain. I adjusted it and thought it went away but yesterday it came back..trouble is it also sounds like an exhaust leak.

Maybe I should get some younger ears to listen to it

[LoserShoes]

If the chain was loose for a long time, it may be wearing itself into it's new shape, and require a couple of adjusts before it settles down.

You are doing the adjust correctly? Set the mark on the C down by the altenator?

Steve

[Parr8hed]

I am having the same kind of issue, a noise that may sound a little like a lifter on a car, seems to be coming from right under the left side engine case cover. I did the same as you and adjusted the cam chain tensioner as described above with no help. I have changed all of the fuids in the bike, and went to put new plugs in, but the old ones looked great. I seem to actually have the carbs very dialed in.

How do you know when the tensioner is all the way out? I only have 35,000 miles on my bike. I have put 15,000 of those on myself. How many do you have?

[skids]

First, congrats on the dialing-in of the carbs.

Here is the way I check the chain, but aside from chain wear, the "chain slipper" is another wear part that can affect this (I think):

Adjust the tensioner in the usual way.
Remove it with it in the adjusted and locked position.
Measure the length along the spring on a given side.
Release the plunger.
Remeasure the length on the given side.
This (the difference in measurements) is your reserve travel for future adjustments.

I have to wonder about all of this because I replaced a chain when I had an eigth of an inch left and when I was finished I only had about a quarter inch of reserve travel (after about 2000 miles of wear).

Originally posted by Parr8hed
I seem to actually have the carbs very dialed in.

How do you know when the tensioner is all the way out? I only have 35,000 miles on my bike. I have put 15,000 of those on myself. How many do you have?

[jacksf]

Originally posted by LoserShoes
If the chain was loose for a long time, it may be wearing itself into it's new shape, and require a couple of adjusts before it settles down.

You are doing the adjust correctly? Set the mark on the C down by the altenator?

Steve

Yep Steve. Did it just that way. I will readjust it this afternoon and do as you suggest, see what I get. Thanks for the tip.

Jack

[DiverRay]

Jack, it could also be an exhaust leak. I had #2 pipe start to make noise, and realized the PO had replaced pipes WITHOUT new exhaust seals. I ordered a new seal from Yamaha, and it fixed the problem. And yes, the noise would come and go, depending on throttle, load, and heat. After some time, it was always noisy.
Ray

[jacksf]

When I had pulled the front end off to change the forks and seals and steering bearings I also pulled the exhaust system. I did replace the gaskets but I am going to go back over all of it and make sure its all tight.

Thanks

Jack