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Author Topic: Found the cause of my engine clacking sound  (Read 3138 times)

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Big-T

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Found the cause of my engine clacking sound
« on: September 06, 2009, 10:11:00 PM »

I had an intermittent clacking sound coming from what sounded like the top end of my 09' SERG. Was at the dealer the other day and a guy showed me his 08 Ultra and said it was making a similar sound. Said it only happened when at a stop sign. He showed me where when the bike was idling with his heel on the floorboard and hie toe on the brake his heel would make the floorboard insert shake back and forth causing an identical sound. His comment was to check other things first before assuming the engine was the problem. I checked my inserts but that was not the problem.

Today I found the noise that sounded exactly like a valve train or piston slapping sound. I put Kuryahkin passenger floorboards on my bike. When the bike is idling with the front brake on, the bike shook enough to cause the floorboards to shake in the brackets causing this sound. The funny thing was that when my bike was making that noise, you could lean forward and focus your hearing in front of the gas tank and it sounded like the noise was coming from the top of the front cylinder. The moral of the story is that these "engine noises" could quite possibly be something entirely different.  T.
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Re: Found the cause of my engine clacking sound
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2009, 11:04:52 PM »

I recently thought I had an engine problem also. Had what sounded like a dry bearing beginning to chirp or squeal a bit while at idle. It sounded like it was coming from the top of the engine. Turned out to be the rubber muffler mounts at the rear of the mufflers. As the bike shook at idle the mufflers were moving in the rubber. A bit of silicone spray and no more engine noise.
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fgizzo

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Re: Found the cause of my engine clacking sound
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2009, 11:09:35 PM »

I too thought the chipping sound I was hearing when my bike was in gear was drive train related. I was convinced that since the noise stopped when the clutch was engaged it was the trans or primary. turns out the chrome spark plug cover was loose and for some reason only made that sound while in gear !
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Re: Found the cause of my engine clacking sound
« Reply #3 on: September 07, 2009, 12:24:09 AM »

I too thought the chipping sound I was hearing when my bike was in gear was drive train related. I was convinced that since the noise stopped when the clutch was engaged it was the trans or primary. turns out the chrome spark plug cover was loose and for some reason only made that sound while in gear !

Those are a surprisingly common "engine noise."  All the types of those cylinder head bridges will make a disturbing sound under a load when they come loose.  Still remember the first time it happened on one of mine.  Was just sure I'd broken a rocker arm or something.  Didn't find it immediately either. 

Have had it happen two or three times since over the years.  Now always reach down and touch the bridges to see if the noise goes away.
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Eqcons

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Re: Found the cause of my engine clacking sound
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2009, 08:37:28 AM »

Those are a surprisingly common "engine noise."  All the types of those cylinder head bridges will make a disturbing sound under a load when they come loose.  Still remember the first time it happened on one of mine.  Was just sure I'd broken a rocker arm or something.  Didn't find it immediately either. 

Have had it happen two or three times since over the years.  Now always reach down and touch the bridges to see if the noise goes away.

Happened to me on this year's big trip.  Both bridges came loose, but only discovered it after 3860 miles of a 3882.6 mile trip! V. worrying noise!  :)
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murphy

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Re: Found the cause of my engine clacking sound
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2009, 03:23:14 PM »

Now always reach down and touch the bridges to see if the noise goes away.

Where are the "bridges"?
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Twolanerider

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Re: Found the cause of my engine clacking sound
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2009, 03:53:15 PM »

Where are the "bridges"?

Cylinder head bridges are accessory pieces that span the gap around the spark plugs.

These things:

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Fired00d

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Re: Found the cause of my engine clacking sound
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2009, 04:28:37 PM »

Cylinder head bridges are accessory pieces that span the gap around the spark plugs.

These things:


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Re: Found the cause of my engine clacking sound
« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2009, 04:35:24 PM »

The funny thing was that when my bike was making that noise, you could lean forward and focus your hearing in front of the gas tank and it sounded like the noise was coming from the top of the front cylinder. The moral of the story is that these "engine noises" could quite possibly be something entirely different.  T.

Any of the fairing bikes or one's with larger windshields will amplify and redirect any lower noises so they sound like they're coming from the front cylinder.
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