Riding noise and engine noise.

Trying to sort out the final issues on my XJ550R. Bike runs great and other than a couple of noise gremlins. I have a new battery on the way and want to do a lot more riding on this bike. The first video presents the idle noise I am getting. Sounds like a diesel at idle.

The second video is a metallic sound like a gear slipping at around the 4:30 mark (not in the engine). I suspected the speedo or tach internal gears so I took off the cables at the gauges. But the sound persisted. Next I will try taking the speedo cable completely off to make sure the sound isn't coming from the front wheel side. Wondering if anybody has experienced anything similar?

 

Have you adjusted the timing chain ?

 

I have. Valves have been adjusted into spec, Timing chain adjusted. Fluids changed. Oil was very clean on the first oil change. No foreign particles such to indicated a chain guide issue. I have had the headers off for cleaning. So I know that they are back on torqued to spec at the head and not loose at the collector. Clutch also have been taken apart and inspected. Clutch works flawlessly.

 

The primary chain on the 550 has a hydraulic adjuster. If that is pluged the primary chain will rattle (they tend to rattle at idle anyway). The other noise sounds to me like a loose heat shield, or loose inner exhaust pipe (the pipes consist of an inner and an outer). With the bike dead cold give the exhaust a good rap with your hand, or a rubber mallet. Listen for rattles.

 

I've had several. Half of them are noisy. Can't say I've heard that metallic rattle, though.

That rattle may be a harmonic from a loose bolt somewhere. It seems like it's happening at a certain RPM. Something in the collector rattling?

 

#2 seems like something loose and getting a harmonic vibration.

I couldn't hear anything out of sorts in #1

 

Thanks for your post k-moe. Sounds worrying though. I have seen other posts from yourself and others that mention the cases need to be split for a primary chain guide repair. Does the same go for the hydraulic adjuster?

As for the other noise, I have checked the heat shield. I will give it the rubber mallet test and see if I can hear anything. Thanks for the tip.

 

Yes, it seems to be during acceleration but not all the time. Will be checking with a rubber mallet for any internal noise in the pipes as suggested. I know its not in the headers. I have had them off. But maybe in the collector or one of the mufflers. Hopefully its something silly like the P.O. having dropped a bolt or something in one of the exhausts.

 

I did a search for you so you can read up on the primary chain (I do not own a 550, so can't speak to anything other than what BigFitz has shared).
https://www.google.com/search?clien...mary+chain+site:xjbikes.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

Thanks k-moe! I picked up some valuable knowledge from just the first few posts. Sounds like my issue is the primary chain at idle. Everything mentioned describes the symptoms the bike is having. From the posts, this sounds not be a major issue with these bikes. I will trying changing the oil to a higher viscosity oil and check the carb sync once again. If it is the hydraulic adjuster, maybe a couple of short duration oil changes may clean anything that may be be causing any obstruction, if any. Oil was clean on the one and only oil change I did. The P.O. did tell me it had fresh oil when I picked the bike up.

Now, on to the other metallic rattle noise, LOL