Hi all - I took a spin last night and noticed a sound I'm pretty sure is coming up from the front of the engine. At 2700-3700rpm like a drilling or tapping sound, almost like a metalic woodpecker (if that makes any kind of sence).

It's most noticeable under slow acceleration or load and I cannot get it with the bike stationary.

I inspected the cam chain recently and found everything to be in reasonable good condition and within all wear limits.

Since doing that I have felt that the timing is off a bit in that rev range too but she's running sweet at 5k on the tacho and no evidence of the noise.

Any ideas?

88KE

Hi 88, could the noise be coming from the timing chain guides?
Just a thought.

I did read the guides can fail due to age. I am planning to replace chain, guides etc over the winter.

92KK

Hi 88KE,

The description sounds like pinking or pre-ignition. If you hear the noise when the engine is labouring, change down a gear or two and see if it goes away.

When did you last check the timing, is it a little advanced?

Mike

I go with Miked comment on pinking, anyway its the easier of the two to address. I lived near a hill for years and got used to that sound.

Sounds like it could be detonation, what grade of fuel do you use.

Rick, we generally only have one grade of petrol, unleaded. I think 95 octane. I dont have any petrol motors apart from the K but having two diesel cars can tell you there is a lot of bad fuel around. I find a lot more water and dirt in it and end up changing filters far more often. Possible cause is a regularly used garage altering their supplier.

Thanks guys - describing noises is nigh on impossible but it sounds like "y'all" are onto it. I shall try retartding the ignition a tad when I get back from a few days break in portugal (no riding there this time I'm afraid.) and report again.

I use the normal unleaded stuff here which is 95 octane and pretty much all that's available around here. Petrol in Ireland only comes in 2 types refined here (a very small amount) in Whitegate or Imported. The oil companys operate an effective pooling of stock so brand differenciation is purely phsycological.

88KE

The reason I mentioned the petrol supplier is that the stuff via Whitegate is not necessarily the same and I understand the ethanol content of that and the direct import can differ!!!

92KK

They shouldn't detonate on 95 well good 95 that is. I always try to run on 98 and occasionally have to use 95 but that is mainly because I get much better consumption on 98.
You were saying you had a look at the camchain so maybe when you put it back together it ended up a bit far advanced but you can go 4 deg with out any problems, actually it helps the low end torque.

Hi All, just back after a couple of days away and have finally found a few minutes to retard my timing.

When Clockwise (advance) or c/clockwise (retard) the sensor ring is spoken about I presume this is looking at the sensor from the front engine cover to the back of the bike so clockwise means turning the ring to the left hand side (left when sitting on the bike that is)?

thanks

88

The crankshaft is running anticlockwise, wiewed from the front of the engine.

will have a look at rene z's "how to" http://k100rt.aforumfree.com/t3804-checking-the-timing-of-a-k100

you should end up with the half moons about equal to each other

Thanks Inge & Charlie. I'm running back and forth to "Rene's bible" My cup doesn't even have marks like his just a punched dot at the base setting.

I'm only confusing myself at this stage I think, over thinking it maybe go for a spin and gentle try it? :| .

88

should look like this

88KE wrote:My cup doesn't even have marks like his just a punched dot at the base setting.

The marks isn`t at the cup, but on a big "washer" underneat the cup.

88KE wrote: My cup doesn't even have marks like his just a punched dot at the base setting.

Could it be that you have been looking at the maximum advance this mark?

Inge K. wrote:[
Could it be that you have been looking at the maximum advance mark?

Yes Inge that's what I have been looking at....couldn't get my big head far enough around to see the rest

Back together now and timing slightly retarted ....might go for a little night ride to see if it's better -o:

Thanks Guys
88

Have a nice late evening trip!
Hope you have achieved correct adjustement........

Inge K. wrote:Have a nice late evening trip!
Hope you have achieved correct adjustement........

Cheers Inge! Nice night for a run here. The adjustment is a big improvement but not quite totally sweet but definitely moving in the right direction - i shall continue to "tweak it" .



88

take a pic will ..nice to see whats not quite right ...

charlie99 wrote:take a pic will ..nice to see whats not quite right ...

Here ya go Charles!....


The big washer "thingo" was in the wrong way around meaning the max advance mark was the timing mark etc. Somebody who recently painted the covers must've not been paying attention on ressembly

Anyhoo..... all back together correctly now and fine searching for the sweet spot continues!
88

dang will ...yes that would certainly throw a few rocks in the mix of things eh?

like in the pics i have seen the 2 half moons cutouts should pretty much line up ol mate

good luck !

I have been playing with the timing adjustment for the past week, retarding it in very tiny adjustments (less than a millimeter or the outer diameter of the ring) and retesting. Last Thursday I took it for a run and it seemed really sweet so after the run I marked it and adjusted it one more millimeter, the test ride confirmed that this was the step too far. I returned it to the sweet spot marked and went for a really fantastic ride tonight. The bike is running smother more eagerly with less buzzing than ever in the 2 years I've had it. The reduction in buzziness allows me to identify the rattles and vibrations that are left (heat sheild and fairing liners).

I'm still hearing the rattle that got my attention first but very reduced and in a much shorter rev range (someone in another post described a sound like a chain being run over the edge of a table and that's pretty close). This I have decided is cam chain related and most probably guides as there was some wear in them. I will do a full cam chain kit and shims in the winter and do the timing again after that.

Thanks all for the input.

88

Can you show us a picture where you ended up with? It would be great to see a few, so we have an idea if there is consistency with the sweet spot, as I don't think you can really fit these sensors any different on the fitting plate.

88KE wrote:(someone in another post described a sound like a chain being run over the edge of a table and that's pretty close). This I have decided is cam chain related and most probably guides as there was some wear in them. I will do a full cam chain kit and shims in the winter and do the timing again after that.

Thanks all for the input.

88

Pick me.
That is what I am trying to diagnose right now, but I have decided mine is to the rear of the bike (gearbox). Did you have the rattle nose before playing with timing and now it is better? Mine rattles at 2900 under acceleration and slowing then goes to silent running again below 2900.
Wondering if I should give the HS a bit of a twist to see if it helps. Might save pulling off the gearbox ( see my resto thread).
rossco

Tried the hall sensor. No difference. At least it was worth a try.

I'll take a pic and post it Rene (Never Thought of it when I had the cover off ).

Rossco, yes the noise is from the cam end was there before I adjusted the timing.

I've been following your resto thread. Try running the motor without the heatshield and if the noise is eliminated you can refit and pack it with some fireproof material like stove door rope etc. There's definately a couple of threads on the subject.

88

I wish I had the heat shield on still. There is nothing that should be making that noise on the bike.
The gearbox is coming off. All I can think is the clutch is crook. Will check it. Ordered new bolts just in case it needs to come off and be refitted.
Thanks 88

Have you checked the monkey nutz on the alternator drive?

Was that to me Rick? I have not checked them since I put it back together. They were in good nick, but troublesome to get back in place. Had not thought they could make a rattle/ vibration but I guess they could. Will have a good look at them to see if there is any sign of them being in bad shape.