SuzukiSavage.com - How loud is your drivetrain?

tbalam Full Member Offline I like my kids, but I love my bike ;) Posts: 172 Fac o' the Sn Gender:	How loud is your drivetrain? 01/17/07 at 15:39:21 All this talk about the cam chain is getting me a little paranoid. I can hear the valves ticken just a bit when i am idle and when i stick my head down at speed. bike has 14K+ and i plan on doing the cam chain the next time I have a chance to rip the right side off, but all this cam chain stuff has me worried.
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vroom1776

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Re: How loud is your drivetrain?
Reply #1 - 01/17/07 at 18:23:05

it has everyone worried!

I can't hear the cam chain on eitehr of my two savages. One had it rebuilt/replaced about 10k miles ago (about 25k total), and the other, I don't know, but it has 11k miles on it.

I think Ed_L or Max_Morely has suggested listening in with a stethoscope (sp?) or a tube.

Valves ticking is a good thing.

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Ed L.

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Re: How loud is your drivetrain?
Reply #2 - 01/17/07 at 19:17:46

Wasn't me, must of been Max_Morley. I've used a steel rod placed on an engine to locate a noise but never thought of using it to check for a loose cam chain. What would you be listening for, a slapping noise or a rubbing sound?. My valve train sounds a little bit like a sewing machine but was within specs 2,000 miles ago so I'm leaving it alone for now. The bike is running so well I really don't want to mess with it for now.

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Savage_Rob Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Mechanically Inclined Amateur Posts: 6972 Texas (Dallas area) Gender:	Re: How loud is your drivetrain? Reply #3 - 01/18/07 at 06:02:50 I picked up a stethoscope at Harbor Freight for $2 and plan to use it.
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Rockin_John

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Re: How loud is your drivetrain?
Reply #4 - 01/18/07 at 09:40:26

Savage_Rob wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:

I picked up a stethoscope at Harbor Freight for $2 and plan to use it.

A stethoscope is nice to have around, but I was taught way back in the old days to use a piece of dowel rod, or other piece of wood. Put it against different areas of the engine, and put the other end up against your ear flap pressed closed. To muffle some of the noise out, put your thumb between the sitck and your ear. I've even known a couple of guys that were nearly stone deaf who could diagnose engine noises using a stick to help "feel" the noises. WARNING: DON'T let the stick near any moving parts while it is against your head!

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Savage_Rob

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Re: How loud is your drivetrain?
Reply #5 - 01/18/07 at 10:05:33

Rockin_John wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:

A stethoscope is nice to have around, but I was taught way back in the old days to use a piece of dowel rod, or other piece of wood. Put it against different areas of the engine, and put the other end up against your ear flap pressed closed. To muffle some of the noise out, put your thumb between the sitck and your ear. I've even known a couple of guys that were nearly stone deaf who could diagnose engine noises using a stick to help "feel" the noises. WARNING: DON'T let the stick near any moving parts while it is against your head!

This is a mechanic's stethoscope and has the steel rod built onto it.

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thumperclone

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Re: How loud is your drivetrain?
Reply #6 - 01/18/07 at 13:35:01

6k + miles on my 06 next valve adjust at 7.5 k..
have extended warranty so let dealer do all except oil changes . at last valve adjust she still sounded a little like my old washerboxen(69 vw bug) noises i get(am overly rattle,squeek,noise, aware)less the 3" hard crome slash cut muff,
1) the freekin drive belt specially below 40 F
2) at idle what i call valve slap(last adjust they were too tight,still gettin seated)
3)speedo...
none of these are annoying enough for concern...(cept maybe the hard krome when im going out the driveway
less than 2' from neighbors bedroom window...just kiddin i roll her out front to fire her off!!)

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