So, tappets done, air idle pipes replaced, manual tensioner fitted, oil and filter and throttle bodies balanced..... Result... Still sounds noisy!! And can't nail down where its coming from although i have noticed some triumph oddities. It seems when warm, the exhaust valve clearances increase, and as they're all on top spec or as close as i could get em, maybe this is my noise, must admit, its a new one on me. Set stone cold, i was getting bang on 0.2mm, having run the motor the same valves were around 0.23mm, an hour later they were back to 0.2?? Not having anything to compare with, i have a feeling my tensioner and guide blades are worn out, the chain runs look like a very shiny metal to me not a black hard rubber, so when funds allow will fit a new chain and tensioner, regrind the valves and possibly re shell the crank. Alternatively, could just source a newer motor like a 1050. Now its back up and running, seems i now have to drain the fuel tank to get it to shrink around 10mm in length so it fits again?? Dont suppose the later metal tanks fit do they? Cheers Steve
How many miles has it done? if its into the 30k region then change the cam chain, they don't last well if a previous owner has thrashed it. I couldn't believe the amount mine had stretched. I replaced the front slipper too. Do it now, before it breaks and you wont need to take the head off.
She's at 51k at the moment. Yeah it will be done soon, just can't afford it right now, but will do the whole lot when i do it, that way theres no need for it to come to bits again for a good long time. Its annoying right now because its sounds lovely when cold, once run for 30 seconds or more it gets right clattery, which i suspect is the exhaust valve gaps opening up. Every other bike I've had they close up, not open up, which seems wrong..... Hohum
Yes they will close with heat, not open so that cannot be your noise. I think its just thinner (hot) oil and a noisy top end.. 51k is a lot for these cam chains, Please look at that chain urgently, it can, and will, jump the exhaust cam sprocket leaving you stranded and possibly with bent valves. Its cheaper to do the chain now than the whole head next week. Martin
51000 miles is a few miles but if the bike hasn't been looked after properly and had it's oil changed regularly then there could be all sorts of nasty surprises in there to find inside the engine. Worth having a look at before it goes completely pear shaped.
Hi Martin, no, these actually are opening up.... Cold 0.2mm, 20 minutes after engine has run 0.23-0.24 (I know this coz i checked them lol), let it stand 1-2 hours, 0.2mm!! Cant figure that out at all, but as it goes, the noise isn't coming from tappets. Latest train of thought is as engine warms the chain is stretching and causing the noise. Worst case scenario is its a big end on its way.... Quiet when cold and oil is thick, as oil thins it starts knocking until revs are raised enough to increase oil pressure and quieten it. Its not being used at present, will get to bottom of it one way or another Cheers Steve
Hi Steve There's something not making sense here. All tolerances get smaller when warm that's why we always make checks when cold. The cam chain too will tighten marginally with warmth as the engine block expands. It actually gets taller, the distance from crank to cam grows minutely. It's hard to diagnose on here, I really need to hear it but big end noise is totally different to tappet or cam chain noise and is more pronounced at start up or under load. Where are you? If local I would like go hear it. Martin
I'm at King's Lynn Norfolk mate. No, I know it doesnt make sense, thats what gets me. As for the cam chain, the size of the parts involved, I would think that the expansion on this would amount to more than the block. Although the block and head are aluminium and that expands more than steel, the fact that the chain is so long i would think that in total the expansion amount is greater than that or the block, the block and head assembly also being restrained by the head bolts with a slower rate of expansion. It doesnt sound like a big end, its not that dramatic, but more like a big end thats on the verge of letting go.... This thing is quiet as a mouse on start up from cold, like i say, its around a minute of tick over when it starts, after a couple of minutes its quite well pronounced. Steve
