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New to Forums... and some extra engine noise

Discussion in 'Other Motorcycles' started by salamanders, Jul 2, 2008.

  1. salamanders

    salamanders New Member

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    Hi, I'm brand new to this site.

    I picked up an '82 XS400 Maxim a few months ago and have been virtually trouble free, (finishing a long leaky petcock fix); it's my first bike of any kind so while I have some mechanical knowledge, this is the learning curve bike!

    After a couple of months of riding and a 200 miles or so, the engine noise seems to have gone from smooth to noticeable, with the engine noise becoming slightly more pronounced and sounding a bit rattly, though not a scary noise as of yet. My first suspicion is the camshaft chain......... local bike shops are my neck of the woods are so far not willing to look or tear into the bike due to the age.

    The only thing I've done differently is switching to a cheap oil, I've heard there's not really a difference between the spendy stuff and the cheap oil due to the overall good quality these days, so I had to try it out... I'm still running that (Shell 20w-50) until I find out differently. A mechanic I talked to on the phone suggested that I just make sure the oil is always topped off and not worry about the noise.. ehh...

    I'm working on borrowing a camera or some sound recording device just to post the noise to see if it's nothing at all or something to worry about.... any initial thoughts????

    Also, HUGE relief to find a number of XS400J owners out there, I was starting to worry...

    Thanks for any ideas!


    - Anders
     
  2. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Buy yourself a Factory Workshop Manual and look-up the technique for adjusting the Cam Chain Slack.

    Then, after getting the Cam Chain tightened ...
    Check your Valve Clearances.

    Also ... get a 4-Foot "Dowel" ... a section of wooden or fiberglass rod that you can use to Probe ... by touching the engine at various points with one end and listening to the other.

    Put one of those Erasers of a Rubber tip of some kind on the end of the dowel so you can touch one end to the engine and the other end to your ear.

    You'll be able to isolate the areas where noises are coming from and hear mechanical sounds to determine if the sound is normal or has a rotational scrape of knock.
     
  3. TIMEtoRIDE

    TIMEtoRIDE Active Member

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    Does the eraser protect the engine, or your ear?
     
  4. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    I guess I should handle this question as a legitimate inquiry ... because the question is asked and I don't know if he's kidding me or not!

    The eraser would be to protect your ear!

    But, if you grab the rod with your thumb over the end ... you can listen to the sounds by just touching your ear toa your thumb.
     
  5. MrShake

    MrShake Member

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    Where are you located salamanders?

    My xs400j rattles a little, from what I understand, some sound is normal for these bikes.
     
  6. salamanders

    salamanders New Member

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    I'm currently in South Lake Tahoe - I actually stopped by a mechanic today who agreed to listen to the bike, and after a few revs informed me that it's totally fine and I must be hearing things.

    I know I'm not crazy! But I'll be glad to believe at the moment that it's not the internals of the engine.

    I definitely noticed after some riding that the bike sounded different, and had slightly more vibration than when I began riding it - initially I checked the exhaust for extra pinholes, it just sounded more like a motorboat than the purr it had starting out. I'll start checking all around the engine area - tank first, to see if anything is loose. I'm also wondering if this is now the correct noise it should be putting out after a few years of abuse by previous owners may have muted it somewhat - oil and air filters as I got it were AWFUL

    Thanks for the quick thoughts!

    Also - where might I find a shop manual? I've been checking Ebay but didn't know where else to look, I've already picked up a Yamaha sohc twins workshop manual and the an owners' manual for an XS400K but haven't found anything specific for my bike
     
  7. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    http://www.yamahapubs.com/html/itemsear ... del=XS400J

    As you can see ... the Yamaha Publications Store is out of stock.

    Unless you can find a Haynes or Clymer's ... you'll have to keep in close touch with Members of the Forum that have the Manual and can advise you.
     

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