My LS650 seems to have far more mechanical noise coming from the engine than I believe it should.  When I ride my Kawasaki KLR250 the mechanical noise from the engine (cam chain, piston slap, valves) is almost non-existent, and the tires and chain are louder than the engine when cruising down the highway.  On my 2007  LS650 which I just bought used with 262 miles on it (now 300) - the engine makes lot of ticking and whirring noise.  The noise is not too loud when at cruising speed, but at idle it is loud and increases when the throttle is opened quickly.  I would think it is too early to have problems with the cam chain tensioner or valve clearances.  It may be that the larger piston and other parts just make more noise - or there could be something going wacky.  The exhaust has been replaced with a SuperTrapp that is pretty loud and I just bought a Dyna muffler to see if that is a better muffler for my old ears =- but that is not going to make the mechanical noise any better.  I changed the oil last week and the oil looked good and there was not any evidence of metal in the oil.

Is there anyone in the Cincinnati, northern Kentucky or Indiana area that could listen to my bike - or let me hear their bike as a comparision?  I bought the tensioner spring update and plan on installing soon - but I would like to get a comparison with another bike to find out if mine is normal.....or has an issue.

Way too few miles for it to be going to pieces,, it is a noisy engine, Make sure youve got enough oil in it, its all oil,,& not gas,, & ride it,

If anybody in the Cincinnati area has a Savage they wanna get rid of let me know!

sjaskow came and listened to my bike - mine is much louder than his bike and he suggested the noise might be too big of valve clearances.  

I may hide from the heat in the garage today and set the valve clearances.

Dave wrote on 05/27/12 at 14:15:48:


I am having the same "problem"! My savage is a '98 and had only 800 miles when I bought her. I have since put 500 miles on and now the transmission or engine is making a rattling/clicking sound.

I checked for loose pieces but all looks fine. One mechanic nearby thought it was my valves... Another agreed with my thoughts that it may be the cam chain tensioner. However, I keep running into the mental barrier that this bike is still so young!

Please tell me what you find when you open up to expose the cam chain tensioner. I might need to do the same if you find yours is loose.

Thanks  

sjaskow - FSO wrote on 05/31/12 at 10:26:21:


sjaskow........regardless if you were able to pinpoint it or not, it was very commendable to take the time to meet up with him and help out. Very classy move. I applaud you for that.  

Some great folks on this site.

I had adjusted my valves to 0.004 - which is the middler range of the allowable 0.003 to 0.005 range.  The valves were still noisey.

Last night I set the valves to the 0.003" feeler gauge would slide through without much resistance - but the 0.004" would not slide between the valve and rocker.

The valves are much quieter - however I still think it makes more noise than it should.  It runs fine, there are no metal pieces in the oil - I am anxious to see what the other guys think when I ride the "Tail of the Dragon" trip with them.