cam chain rattle

So I got the cam chain rattle too and my helpful shop changed the front one for a new one. Was ok at first but after a couple of hours on the M1 it developed an alarming slapping sound. It seemed to be @ 3800 and again higher up. Mr AA couldnt identify it but agreed it might be the cam chain. I rode on and its quietened down a little although I think I can still hear something, dont you hate those intermitant problems.

Any wise words of expereince before I visit my dealer again and argue about him doing the work for free

Make sure the tensioners are OK, it is usually them that go, not the chain itself.

[TSM]

From what i have heard when people mention this to the gurus is that it is the cam tentioners and not the chain.

I think rictus said that he has hardly herd of people with problems with the chain only the tentioners.

[Spanner Man]

Evening
It's usually the front cylinder tensioner that give up first, it's possible that your rear cylinder tensioner has followed suit. Having said that I have had tensioners that pack up almost immediately after they're fitted!
Go back to your dealer and insist that they locate the problem.
A word of warning, if the tensioner goes, and you do not rectify the problem A.S.A.P. you are looking at having the chain (chains) replaced, as they wear rapidly if run with a duff tensioner.

Cheers

[TSM]

From speaking to rictus the tentioners have probably got stuck and need to be freed.

Thankyou all. I went down to the shop and he said he doubted it was cam chain rattle as you get that when you let the power off when changing gear etc, this rattle is only when passing through 3800-4000 rpm and again higher up. So he thinks its cylinder slap caused by a deposit in the front cylinder which will wear off. It has become a lot milder than the disturbing racket at the week end. I guess i'm hoping he's right although it does get him out of repair under warrenty If it blows up it'll be him that pays for it I'll try to ride down on to soho friday night and seek opions where people can listen to it. V helpfull not being entirely at disposal of bike shop's diagnosis!

the cam chains are supose to rattle, its the noise that SV's make, every bike has its' unique noise, with ducati's it's dry clutches, with vfr's its gear whine, with Sv's its cam chains , bikes make noise

[northwind]

Well, that'd be true if it weren't perfectly possible to get inaudible cam chain operation without affecting performance. But since it is, it doesn't really come under "bikes make noise"

The reset for the 99-02 is to remove the top bolt, insert a small cross-head screwdriver, and retract the plunger then let it click back into place. Fiddly but not difficult. Sometimes it fixed it for ages, sometimes it lasts 10 minutes. Mine sounds like a pair of marracas just now, but until I got knocked off it had been nearly silent for ages.

I wrote this post once, but I lose it in last server crash – then I decide to put it again, cause I thing it could be useful for someone.
Honest – northwind’s posts about it inspired me - THANK YOU .
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I decide today to fix cam chain tensioner adjuster ticking sound.
I thought that I have to remove airbox but after some recognition I find that it is not necessary.
I put some pictures for people who never made it, but want to.


There is placed front cam chain tensioner adjuster.



(on last picture top cap is unbolted a bit already)

You have to only lift fuel tank (you don’t have to remove airbox)


Next step - take the top cap off the cam chain tensioner adjuster.
It easy if you use wrench like this (size 10mm)

You can do it by this hole between frame pipes


After that you will see hole in adjuster (sorry – I borrow this picture)
Remember – you shouldn’t to remove adjuster! – I put this photo only to demonstrate what kind of hole is in adjuster.


I drop there a few drops of engine oil.

Originally Posted by northwind

You'll find there's a screw head inside- turn it clockwise till it won't turn no more, and then release it

Because there is no place to use normal screwdriver I made a special tool to do it.
I made it from welder electrode, by flatting one end of it. In this way I get long, elastic screwdriver.



Now – it easy to "turn it clockwise till it won't turn no more, and then release it" by this "special" tool. You should to put it between an airbox and a frame.

After that you can enjoy smooth noiseless sound of your engine \/

[anna]

cam chain tensioner is not a difficult job to do (well I managed it with a bit of help from the experts on here!! ) just a bit awkward.