still noisy

4348 Views 48 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Shep, Sep 10, 2010

jasonh

Discussion Starter · Sep 2, 2010

So it took me a long time to do, between all the other projects I had going, but I finally finished putting the bike back together after replacing the cam chain. There was some pretty bad wear inside the case from that thing.

Unfortunately, the bike is still noisy. It's pretty decent when the motor is cold, but once it's warmed up, it's still pretty noisy (albeit not as bad as before I did the chain).

I've properly tensioned the chain, and have checked/adjusted the valves (.003 and .004 with the motor stone cold). What else can I do?

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jasonh

Discussion Starter · #21 · Sep 3, 2010

Was able to get this recording just now.

http://jasonhight.net/images/gl500/2010-09-03_12-10.wav

Sounds like there are 3 separate noises. One seems to be the normal valvetrain noise, there there is the loud woodpecker I've been referring to, and then something else in the background. When you hear the main knocking get louder, it's when I moved the mic to near the radiator.

Linny

· #22 · Sep 3, 2010

I'd still want to check the edges of the fan for signs of rubbing. How about the oil pump chain? This is adjustable.

My experience with other engines and woodpecker noises often is a leak in the exhaust header. On a cool engine you can spray with water upon starting to look for the leaky joint.

jasonh

Discussion Starter · #23 · Sep 3, 2010

I adjusted the oil pump chain before I put the front cover back on.

Definitely going to need to check the fan. Hope to do that this weekend.

Shep

· #24 · Sep 3, 2010

Could well be the fan/Fan guard.

jasonh

Discussion Starter · #25 · Sep 3, 2010

Well, I'll pull it tonight or tomorrow morning and find out. Just wish I had something on-hand to replace it with. I think all I've got is a few PC fans, lol.

Shep

· #26 · Sep 3, 2010

jasonh said:
Well, I'll pull it tonight or tomorrow morning and find out. Just wish I had something on-hand to replace it with. I think all I've got is a few PC fans, lol.

High powered PC fans have been used as an electric fan conversion but they were these type,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vantec-Tornad...618?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415251a122

By the time you have at least two needed you can get a 2nd hand Bike fan if this indeed you problem.

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jasonh

Discussion Starter · #27 · Sep 5, 2010

I think this might be the problem...

There's a shiny spot on the tach housing where the fan was hitting.

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Blindstitch

· #28 · Sep 5, 2010

jasonh said:
I think this might be the problem...

There's a shiny spot on the tach housing where the fan was hitting.

Nice.

Shep

· #29 · Sep 5, 2010

Yep.That's quite common e.g small cracks leading to larger ones like you have.Good job you found it in time as the fans can explode taking the Radiator with it

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philbrewer

· #30 · Sep 5, 2010

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-Ninja-500-Radiator-Fan-w-bracket-OEM-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cf15f4b5dQQitemZ330467068765QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

$20 shipped.

jasonh

Discussion Starter · #31 · Sep 7, 2010

Alrighty.

Fan removed, the main noise is gone. Still pretty damn noisy, though...

http://jasonhight.net/images/gl500/2010-09-07_08-33.wav

philbrewer

· #32 · Sep 7, 2010

Doesn't sound too bad. You did tappets right?

jasonh

Discussion Starter · #33 · Sep 7, 2010

I did adjust them. I haven't pulled them out to reface them yet though.

Just seems noisier than most videos I hear...

Shep

· #34 · Sep 7, 2010

I'd dress the tappets.If nothing else it will help eliminate another source of noise.I think it's a combination of sounds which is quite common when we get these bikes after they have been left neglected for years and or badly treated.

I didn't get my engines sounding smooth in one night

It was a process of servicing things that had been neglected over the years.Also look for any exhaust leaks.Even a bad manifold gasket ring

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...3484706QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

can cause what sounds like a noisy tappet or little end knock.

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jasonh

Discussion Starter · #35 · Sep 7, 2010

Ok, I'll continue searching. Tappets will get dressed this weekend, and I'll continue trying to locate the noises. I hope the gasket rings aren't leaking - I just put them on, lol.

Shep

· #36 · Sep 7, 2010

jasonh said:
Ok, I'll continue searching. Tappets will get dressed this weekend, and I'll continue trying to locate the noises. I hope the gasket rings aren't leaking - I just put them on, lol.

If you mean the exhaust ones sometimes it's just that the clamps have not aligned correctly when tightening up.

kingston73

· #37 · Sep 7, 2010

Have you checked for exhaust leaks? A leak at any point after exiting the heads can sound like noisy tappets, could be a combination of tappets needing dressed and exhaust?

shoreride

· #38 · Sep 7, 2010

I have another 10 temp switches. I can send one out to you (or anyone else who is reading this), if you message me your address.

It costs about 5 bucks to mail (soft package & postage), but I can cover that so you can get a little closer to fixing the bike. You will need some epoxy though connect it to the radiator.

Let me know if I can help.

-- Keith

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Doward

· #39 · Sep 7, 2010

shoreride said:
I have another 10 temp switches. I can send one out to you (or anyone else who is reading this), if you message me your address.

It costs about 5 bucks to mail (soft package & postage), but I can cover that so you can get a little closer to fixing the bike. You will need some epoxy though connect it to the radiator.

Let me know if I can help.

-- Keith

Keith, can you provide a part number / picture of the switches you have? If it's what I think it is, I'll happily take you up on one of those

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jasonh

Discussion Starter · #40 · Sep 8, 2010

Just bought this fan:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...-All-Categories&_fvi=1&viewitem=#ht_762wt_939

Not an awesome deal, but better than nothing.

Shoreride, I think I'll take you up on that offer. Sending a message...

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