Cam chain whine?

Having experienced a droning noise when the bike is reved or acelerated hard which slows and stops as the bike slows and revs drop.

I tried Rikcomatics auto cam adjustment technique and this almost eliminated the problem. However, when I leave the bike for a couple of weeks the problem returns.

So has any one experienced any thing similar?

I have yet to pull the auto adjuster. If I set the timing mark under the crank cover, pull the carbs can I remove clean inspect and replace the adjuster without removing the top cam cover or does this need to be removed as well to check top mark alignment?

thanks in advance for any input or ideas.

 

I've found that there are many things on these bikes that are not inside the engine that really really sound like they are inside the engine. After a long ride down to N. Cali and back last year I spent an hour in a rest stop only fifty miles from home chasing a noise I was 100% positive had something to do with my timing chain. As it turned out when I "limped" it home and put on my mechanics stethoscope and had my daughter rev the bike to the RPM where the noise happened it was a little bracket that held on one of the heat shields on to one of my header pipes. 30 seconds welding it back on and the noise was gone. I've ran into several other cam chain sounding noises on my bike too...
Not saying your wrong....but I'm a pretty accomplished mechanic and the noises that have come from my XJ have fooled me more times than not. A mechanics stethoscope is worth its weight in gold. You can put a long screwdriver up to your ear and touch things with that too, but the stethoscope is easier and you're less likely to burn yourself on something...

 

if the top marks (cam timing) were off you'd know it, it wouldn't run or run real bad.
after you do Rick's adjustment, that's all there is. i took that adjuster off once and found there's nothing to do to it but put it back on with a new gasket.
next time you do the valves have a look at the top mark

 

Thanks for the advice, This droning/ whining noise only occurs when riding or accelerating and above 4K revs. sitting in the garage and idling /reving i cannot repeat the noise.

when it occurs it slows as the bike reduces speed and stops as the bike is brought to a stop and will not occur again until bike is over 4k revs.

The reason that I feel it is linked to the cam chain is because after adjusting as per ricks auto adjuster technique the noise is virtually eliminated with only the occasional squeal.

I will pull the auto adjuster and check and clean but did not want to cause any valve damage by just unbolting.

Thanks

 

You may also be hearing the characteristic "middle gear whine" produced by the shaft-driven bikes' gear-driven primary. This sound will be heard mainly under load, which is why you only hear it while riding. The cam chain may have been "harmonizing a tune" with it and you cleared that component of the sound up.

You're sure it's not the speedometer, tachometer, or speedo cable?

 

Oh yah, that's a good one too. I also had corrosion and such build up inside my Speedo and that made a sound that would suddenly some on only at middle RPMs and then fade away as I slowed down like you're describing...
Pulled it apart and cleaned and lubed and all was well!

 

Hi, pretty sure its not middle gear whine, this I have heard on shaft driven bikes.

Never thought about the speedo I will have a look and investigate both cable and instrument. Tacho is electronic pulse driven no cable to worry obout.

This weekend weather is due to be foul, miserable and wet so probably a good time to start a bit of work before summer arrives, even though it was 16.5C in the car this afternoon !

 

I just unhooked my speedo and it stopped...that confirmed my suspicion.

 

Mike,

I plan to pull the cable and test over the weekend, a couple of mile should do the trick, all local to avoid any speed cameras!

But still dependent on wheather, I do prefer to ride when is dry, I'm not so sensative about being a "fair weather rider" I can afford to use a car now when its wet, cold and miserable!

 

Fitz & Mikeames,

Spot on with the speedo & cable, all lubed cleaned and now working perfectly.

Think i'll leave the auto tensioner until next time valves checked as suggested by polock and just concentrate on enjoying the bike.

once again thanks for advice

 

Sweet! Glad to have helped!

 

This may sound pretty darn silly, ... but its true.

At various rpm's, the Engine emits a Harmonic Frequency.
The Cooling Fins amplify the sound.

To suppress the Noise, ... there are Anti-Vibration Rubber Wedges pressed in between the Cooling Fins ... at the Factory.

They protect the Cooling Fins from Vibrating and the FIN from fatigue which could lead to the FIN fracturing, ... plus
Dampen Sounds proven to cause RIDER Fatigue causing tiredness over a long haul.

If the Noise you hear is intermittant, ... AND ...
Your Anti-Vibration Rubber Dampers are Missing, ...

The noise you hear, ... >> MAY << ... be amplified Engine Noise at the Frequency which the Cooling Fins most easily amplify.

You can buy New Wedges, ...
-or-
Fabricate using 3/8th" Lengths of High-temp Rubber Hose pressed between the Cooling Fins to dampen Vibrations.

 

Huh, never thought of that. You wouldn't happen to have a picture of what your describing would you?

 

Rubber "Wedges"

Yamaha Part Name:
Absorber- 1
Absorber- 1
434-11161-00-00 ABSORBER 1 Quantity (12)
4H7-11161-00-00 ABSORBER 1 Quantity (8)