Strange noise

Originally Posted by steveo

Ok, cheers, won't worry too much about them then although i may get it checked out next time i am back home down at P&H.

Good luck, they were bloody useless with me...

Really? I've been in there three times now, once to get the bike checked over, then to buy some gloves and finally i bought my exhaust from there. They seemed helpful and knowledgeable every time.

[northwind]

Which version of the SV is it?

Old ones, you can fix that dead easily (I'll not claim credit for this, it was Rictus posted how to do it first I think) with a 10mm bolt and a wee #2 or #3 flat screwdriver bit. Ideally, a small sidearmed ratchet screwdriver (the sort that works like a ratchet spanner with a handle sticking out the side, I got mine in Maplin and it's fantastic for stuff like this)



This is what the cam chain tensioner adjuster looks like. You'll find it by lifting the tank, removing the airbox, and looking under the frame brace that runs across near the carbs- on the left hand side of the bike as you sit on it. there's one on the rear but it never seems to get noisy as it has a much better oil supply.

Basically, remove the 10mm bolt in the top- NOT the allen bolts! Stick your wee ratchet screwdriver in the hole in the top and turn it clockwise till it won't turn no more, then release it. i do this a few times. This seems to free the tensioner body up.

The hardest part is access- it's fiddly to get to. We did Jimmy's bike the other day and it took about 10 minutes to get the bolt back on, since we did it without removing the carbs "to make it easy"

AFAIK the problem won't develop past noise anyway, a few people have replaced the tensioners but most folsk just live with it I think. This at least makes it go away for a while.

Ahh, i was hoping the 'King of Cams' would turn up. Its a K3 so not sure if its the same as yours. I was mainly concerned that it was something that i shouldn't be riding the bike with but if its just noise then thats not too bad. At revs the can pretty much drowns it out anyway

The bike needs its 7k service shortly so i may just mention it when it goes in for that.

Cheers for the help though, appreciated.

Steve

[northwind]

The tensioner body's different for the K3 I'm afraid... There might be an equivalent fix for that but I don't know what it'd be.

King of Cams? I like that Not very accurate, King of Stealing Other People's Ideas would fit though!

[embee]

Originally Posted by steveo

I think it has become more prominent since i changed the exhaust at the weekend

could it be a simple as a very slight leak at the joint? They can sometimes sound rather as you describe.

Be very very carefull if you intend to fiddle with them. The whole guts of the tensioner is only held in with a thin wire clip, so if you try and tighten it by turning anticlockwise it can pop out resulting in the whole lot disappearing into your engine.
If you do as Northwind suggests make sure you position the engine at TDC on each cylinder before backing the tensioner off.
Having said all that It's a waste of time.
I have replaced both tensioners to find the new ones exactly the same(No diference in the noise at all)
I then fitted manual adjusters, Tightened them with the engine running to the point where I can actually stall the engine, BUT STILL THAT SAME EFFIN NOISE.
Apparently it's the camchains that are stuffed and making the noise, Which is too bloody expensive

Think mines just started ticking.... Started yesterday, new noise i've not noticed before, Will get a 2nd opinion tho next time I meet up with someone

Originally Posted by embee

could it be a simple as a very slight leak at the joint? They can sometimes sound rather as you describe.

as embee says check around the headers at the head for a leak, if its leaking you will hear the exhaust valve which sounds like ticking

Noticed its blowing slightly where the new link pipe joins the old exhaust so it may be that. Haven't got the tools with me to tighten it up though