Odd noise

[garyholc]

Hi everyone

I have a 2003 K3 SV650S which I love to bits. Its done about 12,500 miles and serviced every 2,000. Ive had no problems with it at all. I went out on the weekend with a friend riding pillion, which I have only done twice with this bike. Was out all day and towards the end of the day I noticed a strange noise coming from the bike, even after my friend had got off.

I can only hear it in 1st, 2nd and 3rd and when building up revs, usually around 3k upwards until the engine roar drowns it out, and the noise I can only explain as a metallic shimmering noise which comes, goes, comes etc. which gets faster as the revs increase, and only seems to happen when the bike is moving. Its not overly loud, but loud enough for me to notice. It sounds like something rotating as the noise isnt constant, but comes every split second or so as the bike is moving. Also, it goes when I pull in the clutch as I wondered if there was perhaps grit in the brake pads.

Any ideas?

Gary

[skidmarx]

Did you lube the chain and check for tight links?

[ljharmitt]

Try and listen to where its coming from on the bike and then everyone will have a better idea. May be the cam chain is loose but i know FA so ..... lol

[MiniMatt]

Surely it can't be brake pad related if the noise goes when you pull the clutch in? How about whilst stationary in neutral? Might begin to narrow down the cause, I'm not much help but I'd be tempted to rule out the brakes if it comes and goes as described.

[garyholc]

It does not do it neutral, I have revved the bike with my helmet off and cannot hear it. I cant tell where it is coming from unfortunately as it only does it when it is moving and only started after carrying pillion on the weekend.

As for the chain, it looked ok before I set off, though I havent checked for any tight links, infact, not too sure how you would do this, is it just a case of swivelling each link and checking it moves smoothly?

[Alpinestarhero]

Check chain lubrication. I get funny noises when my chain isnt lubed properly :D

If you don't already, get some parrafin to wash the chain properly with, then dry it all off and re-lube. The parrafin will clear out EVERY peice of gunk and carp, leaving you a nice, fresh, good-as-new chain to lube up

Matt

[skidmarx]

It does not do it neutral, I have revved the bike with my helmet off and cannot hear it. I cant tell where it is coming from unfortunately as it only does it when it is moving and only started after carrying pillion on the weekend.

As for the chain, it looked ok before I set off, though I havent checked for any tight links, infact, not too sure how you would do this, is it just a case of swivelling each link and checking it moves smoothly?

Yep! Swivel it up on the side stand by pulling it towards you and spin the back wheel a bit to check through the chain. Get some gloves on and flex the each link. If you've got a stand then it is a bit easier.....

[garyholc]

What about a timing belt/chain? Do these bikes have one and might it need replacing or adjusting around 12.5k?

[sinbad]

They have timing chains but if it were one of those you would hear the noise whilst revving in neutral whilst stopped.
Describe the noise a little more. I don't know what a shimmering sound sounds like :)

Does it do it only with revs building, on constant throttle, or all the time above x rpm?

[yorkie_chris]

What about a timing belt/chain? Do these bikes have one and might it need replacing or adjusting around 12.5k?

Have you checked the final drive chain as described?

[garyholc]

Had a good look at the bike last weekend (forgot to post) and to my horror when standing the bike upright, no oil was being shown in the oil window, depsite having an oil change in December. I do ride the bike hard sometimes, but do these bikes use oil from time to time?

Anyway, filled her back up and seems fine since. Also cleaned and greased the chain etc. The noise is still there, not as loud but still present. I am wondering if it has something to do with the clutch, when the bike is idling there is a slight rattle which goes when the clutch lever is pulled in. Wonder if its a release bearing or something - bike is going fine though regardless. Hopefulyl the low level of oil in the bike hasnt done any damage - the warning light didnt come on anyway....

[dizzyblonde]

when I went low on oil with Suzy, it managed to damage the cam bearings, scoring them. We've since changed the head:-(. However, although the screeching has gone the noise up n down like you describe is still there..bloody annoying, it goes with the engine, like an IL4 whistling, sort of, but doesn't affect the performance, I have now come to the conclusion that if sommats going to happen, somethings going to happen and theres nowt I can do about it, as we've done all the checks for everything and found sweet FA.

I got two SVs, one ( suzy sounds like a canary, and its highest pitch gets drowned at 5000 revs)
the black sounds like a ford Fiesta

ah well SVs...we love em

[carsounds_dan]

there are some real horror stories\of people scoring their cranks by running low on oil.. keep an eye on it, could save your engine.
cheers
dan

[garyholc]

how do i know if my cranks are scored??

[yorkie_chris]

Because it'll be making a rumbling noise, followed by a big f### off bang and maybe a highside if you're very unlucky.

I doubt this is your problem though.

[yorkie_chris]

And the SV ain't an RG500, it's only got 1 crank :-P

[dizzyblonde]

been out tonight and have decided my funny canary is not on the clutch, its revs orientated, if you roll off it it disappears, if you rev upwards it whines up wards til it get so high pitched it disappears at 5k. All gears, and at standstill in nuetral. Other curvys have a slight engine whirry whine, which is faint, but this is a lot louder.


Its a mystery, and she aint blown up yet