hey guys. I recently bought a 1996 LS650 Savage and its a great bike.

however, I've noticed a progressively louder ticking (last 1500km) and I hate to say it sounds like valved. It usually only happens at a certain RPM, somewhere in the lower-midrange. Has anyone had this problem and can help diagnose?


Shifting is another problem for me. Shifting from neutral into 1st is a very rough sound and I normally have to very slowly move the bike forward while shifting to have a smooth shift. Its also VERY clunky when downshifting from 2nd to 1st. I also have a hard time going from 4th to 5th, and it seems like 5th is hardly there because I dont notice much difference.

any advice?

That is the nature of the beast with these bikes. Mine has been that way from day one as far as shifting. My engine will tick louder if it is a little low on oil, at the bottom of sight glass compared to the top fill line. It will also tick if the oil is old/needing changed. Old oil can also make it harder to shift. I would change the oil and do a good tune up on your bike. The valves should sound like a sewing machine, a nice ticking sound that isn't too loud.

My ticking noise turned out to be my cam-chain, cam adjuster, and cam-chain-tensioner.

Happened  around 15,000 miles.

Got the Verslavy adjuster here on the forum.

sillydilly wrote on 08/19/10 at 11:48:56:

Don't be a silly, get your valves adjusted.

thanks oldfeller.

unfortunately due to lack of knowledge, funds, and tools.. I ended up doing a lot of 'work' to an 81 xj650 I have and a lot of half-arsed techniques to get it running again.


I was going to check valves today and I was trying to get that little cover off on the left crankcase side and ended up piercing a hole through it. had to rip off the entire case and JB weld it.

me and my brother Rocky spent a few hours cleaning up the old torn gasket and debating on using gasket paper, silicone, or form-a-gasket to make a solid seal when we decide to remount it. almost safe to say that cover is ceased on and wont want to come off next time.

Right now going to let the JB dry overnight and decide what to do in the morning. really hate dealing with gaskets.

ill post some pics in the morning

"Turns out it wasnt the valves rattling its the old speedo-rattle and I've decided not to fix it.

The harsh shifting was cured by 1L of Lucas oil stabalizer + 1L of 20w/50 oil."



Yep, the "magic stuff" in the oil ....  and the "I've decided not to fix it" The Bills symptoms are present,  but the patient is still willing and active and is fighting the rest of his issues.


Nurse, note on his chart he did adjust his valves, so he's certainly not into the late stages of Bill's disease yet,  he's just showing a couple of the typical early symptoms.  Also note he is also way way too young to have terminal Bills and he still is doing some routine maintenance.


Nurse, let's give him 500 ccs of penicillin B and a Clymers manual -- there is certainly a lot of hope here for this one.   Schedule him for "Search Function in the Tech Section" and the "The Tech Index, your first friend" classes and have him come back in six weeks.   He still has that nasty speedo rattle that needs attention once the big shot of penicillin gets his system back into normal mode.


===========================


Sillydilly, we are right proud of you for getting your bike running again.  Do you have any plans for making a bobber or a cafe racer out of it?    Them Cafe types sure do look purty as does a well turned out bobber.   Bobbers don't cost a lot to do since you reuse most of the existing parts after chopping them.

Now drop drawers and bend over the examination table -- the nurse has a little present for you that may sting a little bit. 



(Nurse, you did warm that penicillin up to room temperature this time, didn't you?  

I hate it when they yell out so loud in the office like that ....)

Dr. Bill !!

Fancy meeting you over here!

While you are here, Dr. would you please explain to Sillydilly why putting a 50% mix of thick goopy stuff in his oil may possibly could mebbe cause him to have some issues with his wet clutch slipping and possibly building up some hard slick glazing compounds on his plate surfaces?

You are our second most revered oil expert after all, and you are here today and Dr. Verslagen is out playing golf.

Valves need adjusted more when its new. The pointy ends of the adjuster start to mushroom a bit, till they harden up & get pounded down as far as theyre gonna go. OIl cant keep that from happening.