Been working on the latest project. It’s a Spada with 49,000ks. It runs beautifully, instant pickup, no obvious issues or untoward sounds or noises. I’ve rebuilt the carburettors, removed and cleaned the cam chain tensioners and checked, then re checked the valve clearances, At idle and up to around 2500 rpm it has a fairly audible rattle that I first suspected to be valves. I’m a bit stuck at this point. I’v acquires the tools to replace the cam chains but am becoming less and less certain this will solve the problem. Is it possible to get to the bottom end on these guys through the sump like I can on the mighty moto guzzis?
Sorry, when I wrote ‘no obvious sounds or noises I ment to include when running, on the road, above 5,000 rpm
Generally speaking, if a rattle present at idle to low RPM's disappears as the revs increase, my money is on the cam chain itself. They stretch. If it's something that gets worse at higher RPM, more likely to be something in the bottom end.
Hmmmmmm have to work out how to reduce size of video, tells me it’s too big then tells me wrong format. Will upload as soon as I get this sorted.
The video is up on you tube. It’s titled “rattled spada” will try finding the URL when I get home from work.
Yep... thats a rattle. Does the rattle go away if you pull on the clutch lever? It is a bit louder than the rattle I had on a VTR but I know that was clutch basket rattle. Also make sure you have the carby's sync'd. Not sure if it causes rattles on V Twins but it certainly does on straight 4 and twin cylinder bikes.
just worked out how to find and insert link..... sorry ... never uploaded anything to YouTube before. All sorted now
No, it doesn’t go away with clutch pulled in. It’s a weird little bike . None of the bolts in the front cylinder top end were torqued down and I found a 10mm socket inside the barrel when removing the cam chain tensioner. I tried to contact the seller a few times just to get a bit more info re what’s been done to it and he’s not answering any texts. I think I should take the sump off just to make certain there isn’t a torque wrench jammed in there but as I said. It runs beautiful. Starts first stab of the button cold, everything seems to work and no dents in fuel tank or major damage to muffler which is incredibly rare.
Those pesky little 10mm sockets will hide anywhere.. You might want to see if the noise changes if you play with the sync of the carbies.. sounds strange but it makes a massive difference on in-line multi cylinder bikes.
Just pulled the sump and found another socket in there, this time an 8mm. This bike is never short of surprises Changed filter and oil hoping that the oil change may make the rattle at least reduce in volume but no luck. I've purchased an Emgo chain breaker/riveter and been learning to use it on the bench on an old cam chain. I'm a little concerned that when I rivet the link, the link becomes quite stiff compared to all the others. Also, the instructions are telling me that its not recommended to reuse the "pushed out' pin and that a special rivet link pin should be used. Any ideas where this "special rivet link pin" may be obtained?
i'd keeping pulling that engine down and see if you get the full kit or at least a 12mm to complement the 8 and 10mm <edit> I know that I am not helping... please disregard my humour
Ha Ha Just contacted Steve at Caringbah motorcycles. Told me the starter clutch bolts sometimes come loose and create a god awful racket. Removed engine cover and there they are, one finger tight and the other two about to fall out.... Celebratory beer before firing up.,, Fingers crossed of course
Should be able to buy the replacement link from the supplier of the chain. Maybe also try Honda or a bearing supply shop.
Fired bike up and the death rattle sound is gone. Yeah. Sadly, it still has a higher pitched rattle that sounds like cam chain to me. Once I sort out the correct way to break and rejoin a cam chain all should be good.