Yamaha engine sounds

Hello all,
I have a xj 1100 that runs good now I have the bugs out of it.
It has a slight knocking sound from the right side when warm. When it is cold it is vary quiet. My GS bikes have some cam end knock that is normal with GS bikes. Do Yamaha's have any normal sounds that are well OK.
I would say that it may be a valve tappet or wrist pin like sound.
Thanks

 

no yamaha I have ever heard sounds like that. it sounds like something is a bit loose if it only does it when warm. maybe a wristpin on a piston.

 

RIck has said many times if you can't hear the valves on our motors then you need to worry. As the valve clearances wear tighter with mileage. My 700 def ticks more after the valve adjustment but all but 1 of the 20 valves were waaayyyyy to tight.

 

There's really no "Tappets" pe se'.
A Tappet is found on Engines with Cam Followers, Push Rods and Rocker Arms.
The Rocker Arms always "Tapped" ... thus, Tappet became its name.

The Valve arrangement on our Bikes is Overhead Camshafts.
Overhead Cam.
The Lobe on the Came comes in direct contact with the Valves.
Shimmed Valve Buckets.
A form of Solid Lifter.

You HEAR quite a lot because of the arrangement.
The Cylinder Head is fully exposed.
You hear the Cams rotating.
You hear the Cam Lobes contacting and moving the Buckets.
You hear the Valves CLOSING.

All that, plus the Middle Gear singing it's tune lets the World know a Yamaha Shaft Drive Bike is going by.

To owners ... annoying sometimes.
To wannabees ... music; like the Ice Cream Truck going by.

 

It should also be noted that in any form of "neutral" the gears kinda "flop" around a tiny bit. This can make a knocking sound. This sound can/will get mor pronounced with age and/or being warmed up. It can also be accented by a slight off balance of the carb sync as well. Mine has all of the above. I hope to get rid of the carb sync issue soon.

 

Gears aren't the only thing "flopping around." The clutches on these bikes tend to be a bit noisy too; and if you have a 550 the primary chain will produce a "slap" at idle until the oil pressure picks up the tensioner as the revs come up.

One thing I've learned about noises from years of living with old British bikes: You can drive yourself crazy. If your bike runs fine, and you know its properly tuned and adjusted, don't worry about every little noise and "tick." Unless you get a sudden KABLAM thud-thud-thud and bits start flying everywhere or your rear wheel locks up DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

These are 4-cylinder chain-driven overhead-cam all aluminum motors. They GONNA make some noises. We get to hear them because it's out in the open, not hidden behind a bunch of tupperware panels or liquid-cooling jackets. Ride it.

 

I have another question Yamaha calls for 20w40 oil and all I could find was 15w40 and that is what I put in the bike. I now have some GTX 20w50 and I would like to know if I should use the 20w50 as it will take heat better and be a bit thicker. What do you guys use on older Yamaha's?

 

I have never used anything other than 20/50.

I find the 20-50 to let me run quieter and be better for the Clutches.
It doesn't break-down when it gets hot.
Even in the late-Fall; once it warms-up the Bike is fine.
During real cool weather it Scavenges slower and the Oil Light comes on.

 

i just thought of the times that my bikes make thier noises. all of them are making them when 200 rpm below specified idle speed as well.

 

Thanks I will change it out today and see if it helps quiet it down when warm.

 

Thats funny I have a XJ1100 and a 1978 Yamaha 750 triple. I have not started that project yet. I is a bit rough looking but ran good a few years ago (so I'm told) and only has 10,000 miles on it. I WAS GIVEN TOO ME last year.

It has that ugly sissy bar seat on it now and long leather fringe grips strait out of the 70's....LOL

 

Anyone ever get a high pitch but quite sort of 'fighter jet' noise when riding at speed? Any sort of acceleration, hill load or decceleration cuts it out though.

 

Sounds like your shaft drive gear to me. I DON'T know much about them. There new too me.

 

I changed the oil to 20w50 and when I first started it before the oil got everywhere it made the same knocking sound for about 10 seconds. I have not got it hot yet but Im betting that 15-40 was getting too thin. I will let you guys know how it sounds when hot after it stops raining.
Thanks once again for your time and wisdom!

 

The worst sound your bike can make?



Silence!

 

Some of us call that a 'jet' other call it a 'mosquito' lol But yes that is normal.

I can also hear my valves as well, but I was assured by the guys here, and by the friendly Yamaha mechanic the other day that is normal for overhead cam engines.

 

I can't remember who said it last summer, but "like riding a sewing machine" is the best/funniest description yet.

 

haha that's it! A suped up singer with a jet engine

You will know when you hear another XJ. It's a sound like no other.

 

Just to let you know the bike sounds much better now with the 20w50 in it when warm. No knock sound just the valve clacking stuff in the upper end.

 

That upper end clacky clack is some of an aquired taste... Did 500km run yesterday, and Man I thought I was use to it, but after a couple hours I was think'n this sewing machine's going to blow something!!! but Bike's still running like a trooper today.. =)

 

Get 'em good and hot and you'll hear every moving part. Don't fret it...

 

i read here about using 20w50 oil, my local cycle shop sold me 10w 40 for my xj?? should i be using this in my bike, or the 20w50,or 20w40? anyone???

 

If you're not on a 550 it's probably primary drive gear noise. It's standard on most Yamahas and is not an issue.

 

I used 20w50 for my bike and it sounds much better, Get the gtx if your using non synthetic oil.