The bike starts up fine but causes a distinct, non-rhythmic noise at idle and even more so when given throttle. If shifted into gear it will shut off as the clutch is released (even if given throttle). It sounds like it's at the front of the engine and may be a loose chain slapping against its housing. Any ideas?
Is the bike new to you? they do make a bit of racket that ear plugs disguises.
At 96K miles the sounds seem comforting.
DId you check the chain for excessive slop?
Definitely not normal and sounds really bad, like something is bouncing around inside the top-end but hard to diagnose via YT. If you aren't mechanically inclined I would pay a mechanic to come out and take a listen. I'd also minimize starts until you figure out what it is and if it is causing damage every time you start it up. Its not clear from your description but if the motor DIES (not shutoff) under any load then my guess is the something serious has gone wrong with the top-end, i.e., valves, chain, cams, etc.
@notacop No the bike is not new, and it's only ~30k miles in. Assuming you're referring to the cam chain, I'll have to give it another look, but it didn't seem like there was excessive slop. I have the service manual but I don't recall, is there a way to view the entirety of the chain without dropping the engine? @dmfdmf Thanks, how do you distinguish between "dying" and "shutting off"? @Motor7 Good idea. I'll give it a shot.
Dying would mean its still trying to run but can't handle any load as you release the clutch, shutting off would mean it dies instantly as if you flipped the kill switch. Not sure what it all means but it is a clue.
It's hard to narrow down the location of the noise from your video. One of those cheap Harbor freight stethoscopes might help isolate the location. At this point I am not sure if running it is going to make much difference because if it is the top or bottom end(valves or crank) it's going to need a re-build or a engine swap.
Not knowing exactly what or how you were videoing, I was thinking it might be in gear and the drive chain was moving the rear wheel.
Those stethoscopes are really handy for locating where a noise is coming from.
Doncha hate when a trouble shooting episode goes unfinished?
Wonder if Greggy was able to identify the cause of his concerns?
Hope so, a 2004 with only 30K miles is still new.
I can't tell if my 04 sounds like that or not. I wear earplugs. But, no one points at me and looks scared when I start the bike and ride off.
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