Just got the XS650 running again. Now I notice while riding that there's a fairly loud tappety sound coming from the right side. It started late last year, but wasn't really even noticeable unless you knew what you were listening for. I just thought, "meh, it's an old bike, it's supposed to make a tappety sound". All clearances were set right as per Yamaha spec with cold engine.
So, fast forward to last night/today, between about 2000 and 3000 there's a VERY distinct tappety sound that's fairly loud (much louder than last year). This sound goes to a smooth running and sweet sounding quiet parallel twin thump between 3000 and 4000, only to give way to the tappety sound again higher than that. After a bit of a ride, I took it into the shop at work where I slightly tightened the tappets on the VERY hot-on -my-fingers engine, but it only made the sound worse. So, couldn't be the tappets or clearances I'm guessing. So....... that leaves something expensive. Valves? I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be hitting the pistons, but who knows. Any ideas on this please let me know. I can get sound recordings for you if you'd like to hear it.
Rudy
So, fast forward to last night/today, between about 2000 and 3000 there's a VERY distinct tappety sound that's fairly loud (much louder than last year). This sound goes to a smooth running and sweet sounding quiet parallel twin thump between 3000 and 4000, only to give way to the tappety sound again higher than that. After a bit of a ride, I took it into the shop at work where I slightly tightened the tappets on the VERY hot-on -my-fingers engine, but it only made the sound worse. So, couldn't be the tappets or clearances I'm guessing. So....... that leaves something expensive. Valves? I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be hitting the pistons, but who knows. Any ideas on this please let me know. I can get sound recordings for you if you'd like to hear it.
Rudy
