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  #1  
Old 24 May 2006
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Tinkling sound on acceleration
Hi, I've just bought a 2004 KLR650 with 12,000mi, and am being driven to an early grave by an annoying tinkling noise, particularly when accelerating off from standstill. I've taken it back to the dealer, who says he can't hear it (of course he can't..) and in the short time I have owned the bike, the tinkle has become a sworn enemy . I am reminded of trying to swat a mosquito in a tent with no lights.

The sound doesn't occur if i rev the engine stopped, in neutral; it isn't the keys (!); It sounds like it is coming from the speedo/front area but i can't be sure due to helmet; it isn't the toolkit on the back...

Any suggestions on things I should check? PLEASE??
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  #2  
Old 24 May 2006
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It COULD be ping, and the dealer may not notice it because he rode it harder.

Otherwise, good luck - check everything is tight, look for any wear marks, something rubbing against something else, ride with the sound happening and try touching everything you can reach - noises can be a royal pain.

been there...
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  #3  
Old 25 May 2006
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My 2000 KLR made a noise that sounded amazingly like spark knock, but it ended up being the heat shield on the exhuast pipe, right by your right knee. The 2 screws that hold it on were rusted, so I thought they were tight, but were not. Easy enough to check.
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Old 30 May 2006
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Exclamation tinkiling KLR
Just a thought.You could try taking the fairing off and test ride it that way. It seems to amplify and throw back a lot of sounds.
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  #5  
Old 4 Jun 2006
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thanks andy and grant, have tried your advice..
unfortunately the sound is still there
kbikey that sounds like a good idea, i'll try that.
my hunch, however, is that the sound is coming from inside the speedo / display module -before i start taking the outer layers off to find out myself, does anyone know if there is actually a way to get inside this?

failing that, can anyone recommend a quarry..?
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  #6  
Old 5 Jun 2006
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I've heard of a problem with the balence shaft chain tensoner spring breaking from several klr owners. If you search the web for " klr icky" Should turn up some results, Can't say it's your trouble but its worth reading up on.
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  #7  
Old 6 Jun 2006
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Hi, I'm new to the forum. Registered to toss in a possibilty. Check your clutch lever for up/down movement. The lever on my 06 KLR650 would vibrate between 3k and 4k RPM - almost sounded like an old phone ringing. I thought the worst, made an appointment for warratee service at the dealer, then found it by accident one day. It 's hard to tell where noises are coming from with a full face helmet on....
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  #8  
Old 8 Jun 2006
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andy that's exactly the kind of tinkle i'm getting... like the distant sound of that old style phone ringing, in the matrix... but in my case it isn't the levers. I've already tightened them, and ridden putting my hand on both (without actually applying them).

ickey.. investigating now;thanks. also have just found a 'klr owners' forum which may throw up something.

if i find the source it will be reported here in a flash.
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Old 15 Jun 2006
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If you haven't found the source yet you might try looking through the forums at www.klr650.net or posting a query there. My initial thought was that you might be hearing the famous KLR tweet from the exhaust system, but it doesn't really sound like that from your description.

Good luck.

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  #10  
Old 19 Jun 2006
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Tinkling sound
I have a similar problem. Mine is a new bike. Started making a tinkling sound at about 300 miles and is getting louder (now at 600 miles). It only occurs between 2500 and 3000 RPM. Immediately goes away if I pull in the clutch or rev above 3k. This is the second KLR I've owned. The first one did not make this sound.
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  #11  
Old 21 Jun 2006
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Lightbulb been told with confidence what the sound is!
An ozzie bike mechanic i've met in LA claims he knows exactly what this noise is, as he had it on his own goldwing. apparently the sound IS coming from WITHIN the speedometer. There is a slightly bell shaped piece of metal that, if loose, makes the tinkle. The bad news is that as the speedo is factory sealed, you have to be very skilled / lucky to get it apart and back together again in working order.

All of this is unverified, i hasten to add. but this guy just immediately said 'yep, he knew what that was...' when i started describing the sound. apparently you can get second hand klr speedos on ebay...
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