engine rattling - bandit

[mealexme]

Yes, I have used the search function (not terribly well though if I'm honest)

But there is a rattling that comes from the engine block. It sounds sort of metalic, like there is something metal in there knocking about, like if you put a all bearing in a pot and move it around. Obviously because its my first bike with more than one cylinder, I don't know if its the normal noise, but I suspect not.

It seems to go after idling for about 8-9 minutes (bare in mind I have not ridden it yet). I was wondering if this is a normal noise with , or if something is wrong with it?

If so, what do I need to get checked out? And how soon do you think it needs looking at?

Thanks, Alex

[whitedevil]

Any more info about the bike?

Does it go if you pull the clutch in?

does it change if you rev it in neutral or while riding?

What part of the engine does it come from.

usual suspects would be cam chain tensioner lifter, drive chain or exhaust leak.

[Boro Jake]

its called the cam chain, nothing to worry about! You'll hear it on a cold engine

[Stu]

the bandit is a noisy engine too

[mealexme]

Stu, it sure is! doesnt sound smooth at all!

 

Any more info about the bike? - its silver

Does it go if you pull the clutch in? no, but it does with the clutch out

does it change if you rev it in neutral or while riding? not ridden it yet, and doesnt change if I rev it

What part of the engine does it come from. The main part... the bit with the pistons. I am so good at explaining things!...

usual suspects would be cam chain tensioner lifter, drive chain or exhaust leak.

Doesnt sound like its coming from the exhaust, and cant feel any air from the top of the downpipes or anything

So, ummm... What does the cam tensioner do? I will have a look at Sigil's post about his bike because I think I remember links on there about fixing it

EDIT: What does the cam chain do? Because I guess the tensioner puts tension on the chain.. Haha, my lack of bike knowledge astounds me!

[Stu]

the cam chain drives the cam shafts which runs of the crank and keeps everything timed up and as you have said the tensioner tensions the chain

edit: ive never known any issues with the tensioner on the bandit

[whitedevil]

The info i was looking for was age of the bike, milage and service history you dingbat lol

Bandits are pretty old now so its probably got high milage so could be a failing cam chain adjuster or a stretched cam chain.

When did you last change the oil and filter?

[Tango]

I think Alex that it's just normal noise until the engine warms up. Maybe a little damp in the electrics giving a slight misfire until it warms. I'm sure these problems will disappear once the warmer weather arrives and you start using the bike regularly....

[mealexme]

The info i was looking for was age of the bike, milage and service history you dingbat lol

Bandits are pretty old now so its probably got high milage so could be a failing cam chain adjuster or a stretched cam chain.

When did you last change the oil and filter?

on a 45 plate (end of 05) done 17k miles and looked after very well by the last owner who had squared off the tyres, so I don't think he ran it too hard, and he looked after it as there is no signs of rust, but a few signs of polish. It also came with a couple of receipts of services by garages, and I presume he serviced it himself too. The engine in there I think is new as the garage went over it before I bought it, and it looks like new oil (its gold rather than black)

And I hope so Tango, cant wait to start using it regularly!

[Stu]

More to the point why the hell are you starting it if your not riding it?

Leave it alone and keep the battery on charge till your ready to start using it

[Guest Hodgy]

It's the same engine as in my GSXf, they are quite noisy as being air cooled they don't have a water jacket to deaden any noise.

I'd just leave it till your ready to use it, keeping starting it and not actually riding it or getting it fully up to temperature won't do it any good.

[mealexme]

More to the point why the hell are you starting it if your not riding it?

Leave it alone and keep the battery on charge till your ready to start using it

 

Because I was told to start it about once a month for about ten minutes to let it warm up, but no longer and during that time I usually take it off its stand and ride it about a meter, dragging the brake to get rid of any rust on the disks (water seems to find its way under the cover to the bottom part of the disks) before it turns from surface rust to anything worse, and to put the wheels at different points, so the same part isn't always touching the floor, especially as it is left outside.

Plus I take the battery off every time and bring it inside, and I presume being on for 10 minutes will recharge any power lost from starting the bike up.

And thanks Hodgy, but does yours sound metalic, or is it just loud?

[Guest Hodgy]

And thanks Hodgy, but does yours sound metalic, or is it just loud?

 

It deffinately sounds 'tappety' but they are well within spec, so I just leave them be, it's got 37,000 miles on now, I've had it from new and it's had oil/filter changes every 4,000 miles, it's never let me down or needed any repairs other than normal service items and wear and tear

[mealexme]

And thanks Hodgy, but does yours sound metalic, or is it just loud?

 

It deffinately sounds 'tappety' but they are well within spec, so I just leave them be, it's got 37,000 miles on now, I've had it from new and it's had oil/filter changes every 4,000 miles, it's never let me down or needed any repairs other than normal service items and wear and tear

Good, so maybe its normal. Think I will check the tensioner though if I can (haven't looked into it yet) just to be on the safe side

[davefly76]

Because I was told to start it about once a month for about ten minutes to let it warm up, but no longer and during that time I usually take it off its stand and ride it about a meter, dragging the brake to get rid of any rust on the disks (water seems to find its way under the cover to the bottom part of the disks) before it turns from surface rust to anything worse, and to put the wheels at different points, so the same part isn't always touching the floor, especially as it is left outside.

Plus I take the battery off every time and bring it inside, and I presume being on for 10 minutes will recharge any power lost from starting the bike up.

And thanks Hodgy, but does yours sound metalic, or is it just loud?

 

Agree with Hodgy. One problem with starting it and letting it just warm up is that any condensation inside the engine won't have a chance to burn off and you'll be creating more moisture by letting it run for a few minutes. Water is a by product of the internal combustion engine btw By starting it and letting it run you are probably causing more issues than you are solving and the 10 minutes that you're running it for is probably doing diddly squat for the battery. Moving the bike back and forth to clean the brakes and rotate the tyres is not a bad idea but i'm with Stu, get out and ride it!!

As for the noise. If its sitting around for a few days/weeks without being run then the oil in the engine will all drain to the bottom and will take a couple of minutes to fully circulate around and get in all the little nooks and crannys, if it goes away after a short time then probably nothing to worry about, especially if its been well looked after. Like Hodgy said, they are air/oil cooled so they do tend to sound noisy, mine rattles like a good 'un but it is 11 years old and covered the best part of 30k

[Guest Hodgy]

And thanks Hodgy, but does yours sound metalic, or is it just loud?

 

It deffinately sounds 'tappety' but they are well within spec, so I just leave them be, it's got 37,000 miles on now, I've had it from new and it's had oil/filter changes every 4,000 miles, it's never let me down or needed any repairs other than normal service items and wear and tear

Good, so maybe its normal. Think I will check the tensioner though if I can (haven't looked into it yet) just to be on the safe side

 

I'll have a look in my Haynes and see how it's done

[mealexme]

Because I was told to start it about once a month for about ten minutes to let it warm up, but no longer and during that time I usually take it off its stand and ride it about a meter, dragging the brake to get rid of any rust on the disks (water seems to find its way under the cover to the bottom part of the disks) before it turns from surface rust to anything worse, and to put the wheels at different points, so the same part isn't always touching the floor, especially as it is left outside.

Plus I take the battery off every time and bring it inside, and I presume being on for 10 minutes will recharge any power lost from starting the bike up.

And thanks Hodgy, but does yours sound metalic, or is it just loud?

 

Agree with Hodgy. One problem with starting it and letting it just warm up is that any condensation inside the engine won't have a chance to burn off and you'll be creating more moisture by letting it run for a few minutes. Water is a by product of the internal combustion engine btw By starting it and letting it run you are probably causing more issues than you are solving and the 10 minutes that you're running it for is probably doing diddly squat for the battery. Moving the bike back and forth to clean the brakes and rotate the tyres is not a bad idea but i'm with Stu, get out and ride it!!

As for the noise. If its sitting around for a few days/weeks without being run then the oil in the engine will all drain to the bottom and will take a couple of minutes to fully circulate around and get in all the little nooks and crannys, if it goes away after a short time then probably nothing to worry about, especially if its been well looked after. Like Hodgy said, they are air/oil cooled so they do tend to sound noisy, mine rattles like a good 'un but it is 11 years old and covered the best part of 30k

 

Ah, ok then. No more starting it up till march 25th!

 

I'll have a look in my Haynes and see how it's done

Would be much appreciated, but if its hard to explain I am sure I can find it online

[davefly76]

Ah, ok then. No more starting it up till march 25th!

 

 

Haven't you got insurance till then? Not even TPF&T? I don't think I could wait than long!

[mealexme]

Ah, ok then. No more starting it up till march 25th!

 

 

Haven't you got insurance till then? Not even TPF&T? I don't think I could wait than long!

nope :'(

plan was to get the bandit insured when I have 2 years no claims, which is on the 25th of march, plus that way I would avoid the worst of the weather that the winter brought. You know, all that snow and ice that we didn't get... So looks like the plan wasn't worth it, but nevermind, still insuring it on march 25th!

[Guest Hodgy]

I've emailed some info to you Alex

[mealexme]

I've emailed some info to you Alex

You, my friend, are a star! Although I have no idea how to align the valve timing markings, which is step 2... Think I will buy a haynes manual before I do any real mileage on it!

[Guest Hodgy]

I've emailed some info to you Alex

You, my friend, are a star! Although I have no idea how to align the valve timing markings, which is step 2... Think I will buy a haynes manual before I do any real mileage on it!

 

No problem.

If you want any other pages emailing, just yell out.

I'd leave the timing chain tensioner for now if I was you, I really doubt it's faulty with so few miles, wait till your ready to use it and have a few good rides, any noises will probably settle down then.

As already said, running it for 10 mins isn't going to do it any good, I didn't start or move mine for over 18 months and it didn't come to any harm, so a couple more months aint going to hurt it.

[davefly76]

Ah, ok then. No more starting it up till march 25th!

 

 

Haven't you got insurance till then? Not even TPF&T? I don't think I could wait than long!

nope :'(

plan was to get the bandit insured when I have 2 years no claims, which is on the 25th of march, plus that way I would avoid the worst of the weather that the winter brought. You know, all that snow and ice that we didn't get... So looks like the plan wasn't worth it, but nevermind, still insuring it on march 25th!

 

Bummer! You need one of them countdown tickers as a sig..

[Boothy]

Mine does it, I thought it was the valve clearances but even after they were done it still does it. I asked about it and had a look at a few different bandits and its normal...