Timing Chain Tension Noise

gzo1984

fast rider
Joined
Oct 20, 2020
Messages
30
Location
Toronto
Hello everyone. Hope you are all doing well.
I had a question regarding this supposed well known issue with this engine - timing chain tension noise.
My bike has developed a noise and I can only describe it as a rattling/grinding noise that only happens during cold starts. It doesn't go away immediately, but is pretty much gone when warmed up.
I have read and watched some videos (from Pirate Racing on youtube) regarding this issue but I don't quite understand the whole concept nor am I familiar with what that noise actually sound like. The fix is apparently using a thicker oil which I have just purchased (15W50) but not gotten around to doing just yet.

Does anyone have an actual audio sample of this noise? I can't see to find on youtube the ACTUAL noise for the 701. I wish I recorded it on my bike myself but I wasn't thinking of that at the moment.

For reference, my bike is a 2018. I would have thought this noise would develop just after breaking in. I'm no mechanic.

Would appreciate any help. Thanks!
 
Different bike, but good example of the typical sound. Starts at 2:10
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Maybe someone has a video like this for a 690/701...
 
Different bike, but good example of the typical sound. Starts at 2:10
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Maybe someone has a video like this for a 690/701...
Thanks. I did see that video as well. Doesn't sound like my noise. Mine sounds worse than that.
At this point I am confused with what it could be because it does go away when I ride. Of course I don't want to ride it much now since it could be something bad.
If it was like a bearing or something then I would imagine that noise would remain no matter what.
I'll investigate a bit more tomorrow and hope the thicker oil does the trick.
 
I forgot to add - there is a ticking noise that takes awhile to stop when I shut her down. I have no idea if that's normal and/or related to my cold start noise.
 
Cam chain noise often goes away after the engine warms up... maybe an expert will tell us something more...
but there are other things that can cause the noise.
Can you post a video with the noise for us?
 
Found a video of a 690 with a sound similar.
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Doesn't sound good at all. I'll take it to the shop first thing tomorrow. UGH.
 
I haven’t removed it yet, but I guess it’s just oil leaking out of the tensioner. Typically happens on a hot engine on mine.

On a cold start it only last 3-4 seconds.

Im not worried. I may try different oil next time.
 
I haven’t removed it yet, but I guess it’s just oil leaking out of the tensioner. Typically happens on a hot engine on mine.

On a cold start it only last 3-4 seconds.

Im not worried. I may try different oil next time.

What oil are you using currently?
Your noise is similar to the one I have posted? Less of a tick and more of a grind. Also takes longer than 10 seconds for it to go way for my bike. I haven't timed it exactly, though.

Sorry for all the inquiries - I only wish to for everything to work well. All the little niggles this bike has but it's a fun ride for sure.
 
Motorex what is it? 15W50

and no it doesn’t sound like that second video, it’s just an extra rattle.

The bike in that second video sounds horrible, has some sort of grinding sound.
 
Just dropped off the bike at the shop. Will updated as I I find out more.
Additionally - I believe my clutch failed as well. Happened as I took it in. Lost feel and clutch would not disengage when pulled in.
Also a known issue as far as I've read on the forums.
Hope nothing else happens.
Also took a video of the noise. I'll try to upload later but it's not dissimilar to the vid I linked earlier.

Cheers everyone.
 
Hey guys. Bit of an update - so the dealer has just called and my clutch slave cylinder was replaced under warranty. If it goes again I will order the oberon and be done with it. As per the grinding noise - they say they find nothing wrong and even compared it to the other Vits they have in the shop and it sounds exactly the same. Now I have uploaded the video and sent it to my shop for them to see if it the same noise I was hearing and also linked it for everyone else here. I don't recall that noise when it was new - obviously why I took it to the shop. Cheers everyone!

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Be sure to check it out at the dealer and show them the noise yourself if it is still there.
Some times you have to point this kind of stuff out to the dealer. If they say it's normal, nicely ask them to demonstrate it on another bike for you...
Hopefully replacing the clutch cylinder fixed it.
 
Yeah they will look into it some more. They confirmed in the video it doesn't sound quite right and different than when they started it up. It could be because it was warm already. I have to wait.
 
I have heard back from the shop. Unfortunately, they could not pinpoint the problem. At this point - they have removed both covers of the bottom end and found no issues or shavings of any sort. Apparently they were able to check the timing chain tension and found that was ok as well.
Mechanic said that he would have to pull the motor out in order to investigate more but it would obviously cost more.
At this point I am not in the financial position (thanks a lot COVID) to spend much more on this bike and decided I would pick it up and hope nothing else or worse happens.
A little annoyed at this point. Maybe down the line I will have the engine pulled and looked into.
Cheers everyone!
 
I have heard back from the shop. Unfortunately, they could not pinpoint the problem. At this point - they have removed both covers of the bottom end and found no issues or shavings of any sort. Apparently they were able to check the timing chain tension and found that was ok as well.
Mechanic said that he would have to pull the motor out in order to investigate more but it would obviously cost more.
At this point I am not in the financial position (thanks a lot COVID) to spend much more on this bike and decided I would pick it up and hope nothing else or worse happens.
A little annoyed at this point. Maybe down the line I will have the engine pulled and looked into.
Cheers everyone!
I see your clutch slave was done under warranty. Is your bike still in its warranty period or not?
 
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