Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum
Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: mattsz on November 02, 2012, 11:27:48 am
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I'm hearing a new noise. It's sort of a random occasional clatter - not a regular steady rattling, just a single thin metallic clank now and again. It sounds like I think it should when the chain strikes the chain guard or some other part - and in fact, I suspect the chain.
I seem to hear it when I'm shifting, or when I'm cruising at a steady speed on and off the throttle where the engine is on the edge of pushing the bike, or going down a slight incline - in other words, when the top run of the chain isn't under strain and could be bouncing or oscillating. Does this sound feasible? It's not too loud - I just can't pinpoint the noise over the engine and wind noise from inside my helmet.
I checked my chain's adjustment, and it hasn't changed from where I last left it, just over 1-1/2 inches play at rest. I cannot push the chain sideways and make it contact the chain guard. The upper run of my chain passes over some frame structure at the swing arm bushing, just behind the "chrome" cap and beneath the brake light switch. At rest, the chain is 1/8" above the frame at that point, and it takes very little downward force on the chain to make it contact the frame. In fact, I'm surprised I haven't noticed this earlier, and I'm surprised that the chain is meant to run this close to the frame. I haven't yet run it stationary, in gear, on the center stand to try to duplicate it. FYI, I have 1361 miles on the OEM chain, and I've moved the adjusters 4 notches since new.
I've tried hard to photograph it, but I just can't get in there. I am posting two photos, taken from above the foot brake lever toward the back - I've moved the brake light switch spring out of the way. The first is a wide shot just to show the area in question, the second is a crummy closeup of the chain hovering over the frame part.
Any thoughts or suggestions? As you can see, I'm fixating on the chain, since I can't think what else it might be, and I'm hoping that a chain problem is an easy one to fix?
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yes.
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yes.
+1
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when you are riding the upper clearance will be greater (due to suspension compression) and the chain will be taut(er). If the chain is hitting at speed you should be able to see paint damage. look closer.
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Your chain should have 1-1/2" to 2" slack of the center stand. If it has more than that, adjust it. Turn the wheel and check it in three or for spotes. There may be considerable differences in measurements. Chain "stretch" (disintegrate internally) unevenly. The stock chain is noted for a short life.
Do your have the stock muffler on the bike? If so, check the heat shield screws. When they come loose or are gone, they make an annoying little clatter.
Bare
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Try putting a finger on the flap covering the keyhole on the fuel cap and listen for a change in sound. Mine was making a sound like you describe. I never thought to check that as I did not think it could possibly make such a noise, but the dealer found it. After a few hundred more miles it seems to have gotten tired and gone away. Or, my hearing has changed. GA-DK
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Also, lift the front of the heatshield and see if it comes away from the pipe easily. There's supposed to be a clip on the shield that clicks in to a strap on the pipe. They tend to snap off.
It's it's gone you can buy a stainless hose clamp, cut a piece of the band out, bent it into a Z shape, and tuck it in to clips on the shield and pipe.
Mine broke on my first long trip and it rattled so badly I had to step on it to keep the noise down. If you remove the heat shild chuck those insta-strip allen head bolts that hold it and get some nice stainless hex heads instead.
Scott
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i"m thinking exhaust heat shield
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Exhaust heat shield sounds even easier than chain! Unfortunately, I have already dealt with losing a bolt holding the shield, and I've replaced them using split locking washers. But, the shield still rattles a bit where Scotty's clip lives - I don't think it's the same sound, but I'll check it out.
Fuel cap is easier still...
Bare - chain is just over 1-1/2 inches on the center stand. I'll try to look closer for paint wear, but it's hard to see in there and the road dirt/chain lube has given everything a nice coating...
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Just step on the front of the heat shield with your foot when you hear the rattle. If it stops that's your answer.
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I'll try.
The hard part is that I only hear it occasionally, and it's not a repetitive rattle, it's a single clack. Like when your tire picks up a stone and tosses it into the fender or something. There's no set speed or rpm where it becomes a repetitive noise...
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Maybe you could put your bike on the stand and rotate the tire backwards quickly to see if it generates the noise. If it was a chain slack thing, you'd probably be able to replicate it that way... Just a thought.
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The hard part is that I only hear it occasionally, and it's not a repetitive rattle, it's a single clack. Like when your tire picks up a stone and tosses it into the fender or something. There's no set speed or rpm where it becomes a repetitive noise...
Then it's not the heat shield. Hit the right RPM and it will rattle like a tin can full of rock non-stop.
Scott
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I had much the same thing on my G5, my original chain was flogged out at 6400 km's. I was having to adgust the chain everytime I went for a ride. I know when the new chain (Honda product) need adjusting as it starts hitting the chain guard on bumps etc. Makes much the same noise as your describing. I couldn't find it for ages until I realised that it went away whenever I adjusted the chain, :-[. I also firstly looked at the heat shield, but the screws holding it on to the muffler refuse to budge, so I've just left it. Hope this helps.
Cheers :)
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All interesting ideas and input, but nothing that quite fits the bill, except for the idea of looking for where paint may be wearing away from chain strikes. But on the last couple of rides I haven't heard the noise at all, so who knows what to think. But don't worry, I have a new problem... ;) to be tackled in another thread!
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When checking the chain slack move the tire to check the whole chain. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a really slack spot you're missing if you still have the OEM chain.