loud and concerning rattle!

[z-weiser]

Tizer has developed a loud and frankly alarming rattle!

I'm guessing cam chain tensioners but not 100% sure, has anyone changed theirs and are they a pain to do?

will i need to change the cam chain too?

Haynes seem to have it as a two spanner job (out of five)

any encouraging tales?

Z

[Lutin]

Silly question - is not just something loose rattling around?


Obviously, you have already checked this. Haven't you?

[z-weiser]

nope nothing loose - rattle is in time with the engine rattles and clunks - as i was riding higher revs = louder and faster rattle!

deffo related to the engine and as far as i can work out it is related to the camchain, i'm basing this on the fact that the tensioners are known to be a problem and seem to be harked on about on a number of resources - that and everyone at any bike shop ever says oooooh the cam chain tensioners on them don't have rattle when they go! - usually after a sharp intake of breath!

plus which friends firestorm has apparently recently started doing similar!

ugh

[Freerangestormer]

From the guys here that have done it and discussing it with a Vara experienced mechanic.

If it is the cam chain tensioner:-
a) It usually becomes is evident from 60,000 km onwards but depends both on servicing and driving style (don't take that the wrong way ).
b) It comes on quite gradually but the build up in sound and slight reduction in performance makes it relatively easy to pinpoint. The 'slap' between roll on and roll off is quite noticeable.
c) It's quite a straight forward job if involving quite a bit of labour, presuming there is no other wear damage. Apparently you would have to be really thick to let it go long enough for that to happen (mechs words).

Not experienced it yet, mine has done 75,000 km and feels & sounds fine.

[z-weiser]

Freerangestormer - thanks for the info!

1) i ride quite sedately and get it serviced as per the haynes manual
2) it started quite suddenly - will have to look into alternative problems
3) it's done about 34,000 miles
4) i'm thick

cheers again

Z

[Yeti]

Thought cam chains got quieter as the revs increased, loading the chain?? Noise/slap should only occur with load/unload - or blipping the throttle??

Might be talking pish but thats what I thought.

[africajim]

Possible failure of the automatic tensioner? The chain could flap about quite a bit! Worth examining definitely.

[marc lenssen]

Should be most noticeable when suddenly rolling off the throttle, this relaxes the chain and a (light) rattle can be heard. You should also hear the chains ticker gently when on tick over. Replacement means taking tank and preferably the air filter housing of for sort of easy access. After that it is not too difficult. Do make sure to get tension on the chain before you start the exchange, so for the front one set the timing to RF, as you would when setting valves.
If your rattle is already pretty loud then I would not wait too long...
need to do mine also but have been too lazy to take everything off sofar. And mine has a light rattle....

Good luck,
Marc

[z-weiser]

thanks Marc!

i have the haynes manual and will follow the instructions very carefully although it is only a two spanner job!

sooooo

i think that it will end up with me and my bike on fire!

ah well here goes nothing!

Z

[marc lenssen]

The tank is off......no fire... hahahahhahahhahhaha Unless you take a braek and use the tank as ashtray of course.....

Let us know if you succeeded, what the difficult points are and if it solved your rattle????

Have fun and good luck,
marc