On my 2006 with about 6500 miles, I have noticed that at above roughly 5000 RPM, I'm getting a bit of a rattling sound coming from the engine. I don’t have a tach to know the exact rpm level.  But it starts making a “clattering” noise at an rpm level just below when I would expect to upshift when running it hard.  My guess is maybe the cam chain is making a bit of noise, but at only 6500 miles it leaves me questioning that.

The engine seems to run fine and makes good power.  I know these engines put out a lot of mechanical noise when they run but it doesn’t seem normal. The bike idles quiet and lower rpm levels are quite.  

Valve lash has been done and it’s pretty quite at the top end of the engine. Clearance set in the middle of the clearance range (at 0.10mm or 0.004”).

I did just find the exhaust header bolts rather loose and I’ve torqued those down to 20nm (with anti-seize applied).  Max torque is 28nm dry bolts.  So, with anti-seize, I stayed about 30% lower.  I have not tested the bike since I retorqued the bolts (maybe this is it).

I guess I need to test…. Thoughts though?

Massive flywheel loose, possibly?  Wouldn’t I hear piston slap throughout the rpm range?

Check the chrome ring around your headlight, and your speedometer.

Those things can rattle and make you think the noise is coming from the engine.

Mine does something similar, sounds like a little detonation to my ears but who knows wind a single up that tight lots of noises appear.

Dave wrote on 05/23/24 at 10:27:04:


My old Intruder did that rattle badly. So bad at 1st I was sure the engine had a problem.