XT 600 Tenere - clanking noise! help...

[Twit!]

I have a 86 600 Tenere that has developed an odd intermitent 'clanking' noise. Guess I'm going to have to pull it apart but I'll try and describe to see if anyone can maybe cast some light...

I have noise coming from what I am sure must be the drive. The engine runs and idles really well and is nice and quiet, but when I pull away occasionally I get a metallic grinding / clanking noise which lasts about 2-3 seconds and then goes; its not there all the time and there no real pattern. Oil consumption and engine performance is fine and there are no leaks.

My guess is that its drive related, the bike is going in and out of all gears fine and the clutch seems fine though I'll adjust. Guess the only real option is to pull it apart and have a look but if anyone can guess at what it could be from my super detailed description that would be great!

[Scottish Sam]

Hey Twit,

Just a quick thought that once caught me out for a couple of days - have you checked the condition and adjustment of your drive chain? I had a similiar noise/problem that you describe. Chain tension was fine and well lubed but I did find a quite a few tight links on the chain. Its worth double checking before pulling your motor apart. Also check front and rear sprocket condition and make sure they haven't worked loose on their mountings.

Hope it helps.

Sam.

[Twit!]

Thanks Sam

I have been pondering it today and thinking fairly similar, on reflection when it has made the noise there has been the odd jolt that I can feel through the pegs as it goes away. That could be in line with your thinking.

I'll check the chain and sprockets as that has to be easier than pulling the engine. Initially I was thinking all kinds of doom laden stuff but the engine is pulling fine and idling / reving really cleanly and quietly and its going up and down the box well so I don't think its anything too terminal!

[Flyingdoctor]

Hi twit. Let us know what you find but I think it may be a loose front sprocket. An easy fix if you catch it early. Good luck.

[BlackDogZulu]

If you can feel a jolt through the pegs, it certainly points to the drive train. A really shagged chain with tight links would give the symptoms you describe. As the tight link(s) passed over the front sprocket they would resist being turned, complain noisily, and then jerk as they passed over the sprocket and became free.

New chain & sprox - cheaper than an engine overhaul, and you probably needed to do it anyway! But how ever did you let it get to this state?

:confused1:

[Twit!]

The chain looks fine and is well lubed and the sprockets look fine, I'll need to do a full inspection.

As to how it got like that, I've only had the bike a week!!!! When I got it I new there were a lot of things that were needed, but decided to ride it for a week to see if anything else dropped out. A week of running into central London each day has only really identified the clanking noise. Everything else seems pretty ok actually. Engine runs well and pulls well, gearbox works as does the clutch, brakes Ok, fuel consumption is fine - big tank is great, handling is fine - certainly in the horror that is central London, as an aside having piloted a big KTM through just about every Iranian city London can hold its hands up high in the horror city catagory!!!

So I havent really let if get like that, I just wanted to test the better knowlege of the forum before pulling the thing apart - which I may decide to do just a for fun really...

[BlackDogZulu]

Sure, didn't mean to sound lke I was criticising! It's a line from Richard Ballantine's Richard's Bicycle Book, where he describes how to fix some corrosion horror on a pushbike and then asks "How did you let it get this way?" It's stuck with me, and whenever I fix something on the bike it comes back to me and reminds me that Planned Preventative Maintenance is better than Bodging anyday. It wasn't aimed at you; more a general comment.

I still think it's driveline related. I bet when you get the chain and sprockets off you'll find something out of order.

[Twit!]

No offense taken!

I've not been very well all weekend but I have had a quick look at things, I think the first job will be to change front and rear sprockets and the chain and see if that makes a difference. Its one of those things thats pretty easy and even if it isnt the cause there is no harm in new bits etc. That'll be an evening in the garage some time this week!

[Roamer]

Hi Twit,

I had a similar clank, and it turned out the adjustment on the chain wasn't even on either side. To be fair my chain is older and it and the sprockets will need renewed soon, but maybe check that first.

A telltale sign for me was when cornering it felt like the bike was twisting.

[Twit!]

Thanks to all that gave advice.

Had a chance to look at it in daylight this morning and the front sprocket is loose, so I'm going to change front and rear sprockets and the chain and hopefully that should sort it out!

Cheers!!!