Have you done anything to it?
Can you tell from which direction the sound is coming from?
Just 11,000 miles, kinda early for the cam chain... but,
When you pull the clutch in, engine drops to idle... chain slows down, centrifugal force diminishes.. maybe the noise is there under power, you just can't hear it over the exhaust?
If you try to find it sitting still, set a fan up, you rack it off sitting still a few times and the pipe will turn blue.. I know..

Might be time for valves, you're in the mileage for it. I doubt that is the noise, but it still might need done.
I like fresh batteries in stuff.. if yours is original equipment, at least check the water.

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 05/26/15 at 05:58:28:


I've done the typical things one would do when buying a previously owned motorcycle.  Changed oil, new battery, new plug, checked for loose nuts/bolts, etc.  I haven't check the valve clearance yet but I know what ticking valves sound like and I've never hear valves make this sound before.  I also haven't checked the cam chain tensioner but I'm familiar with what a bad tensioner sounds like when it's ovaling.  This is definitely not making a knocking or ticking sound.  As for the location of the sound, I can't get a bead on it.  It sounds like it's coming from in front of me.  As for the possibility that I might not be hearing the sound during acceleration over the exhaust, I don't think so.  The exhaust is quite loud during decel.  and I can hear this over that quite well.

Dave wrote on 05/26/15 at 06:00:57:


I will check for vacuum leaks but this sound is quite loud and I should mention that I have no noticeable loss of power and performance is in no way compromised.  I would think that a leak like that would cause some noticeable difference in performance.  Wouldn't you think so?

Belt... if it does it with the clutch out, but stops with it in,... I'd say belt...
The engine drag is tugging the belt.
Try putting something on the belt...baby powder, vasoline, anything..  
It won't fix it, but it will change the sound... then, you'll know it's belt noise..

Then, once you know, you can choose to try to silence it, or ignore it...

Check the front pulley as well.  I had something similar.  The PO had tightened the front pulley, but did not bend the tab over the nut to lock it in place.
The front pulley nut got loose.  When I would accel, the pulley moved toward the engine, and no noise.  When I decel, it would move away from then engine and rub against the pulley cover.

Okay, I checked the front pulley and it's quite snug and the tab is bent over it as it should be.  I also checked the belt guard for any signs of wear or contact from the belt and it's in perfect shape, not bent and not showing any obvious signs of rubbing.  I did notice that the oil seemed a little low in the sight glass so I added a little and then rode a few miles to go buy some vaseline to put on the belt but the noise didn't present itself this time.  I feel like that's just coincidence but maybe not.  I've had a lot of bikes in my day and none ever made that "Shh" sound for being a little low on oil but then again none of them ever made that sound at all.  This is my first belt drive so I'm inclined to still think belt.  Could it be oil related?

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 05/26/15 at 11:25:00:


You guys all know this bike very well.  I'll listen and follow until I have something meaningful to contribute and then maybe I can help someone too.  Until then I'm a student and even then I'll still be a student I think I really appreciate the help too.

I live in Westchase. I-10 @ beltway 8