Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

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MartyB
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 4:14 am

Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#1 Post by MartyB » Sun Nov 11, 2018 3:34 pm

I recently bought 1984 (early model) RD500LC. It is a one owner bike in lovely condition and rides well, but at tickover it is quite noisy/rattle compared to other 2-strokes I own. I have checked videos of other RD500s on YouTube and many sound the same as mine.

Is it quite normal for these bikes to be noisy?

Brad Winchester
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:09 am

Re: Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#2 Post by Brad Winchester » Sun Nov 11, 2018 5:25 pm

Yes mine is also noisy. Pulled clutch apart all seemed OK. My bike is the only one I have heard running.
RZ500
ZXR900
FZ750x2
FZR250x2
ZXR250
GSX250
GPX250
Boulevard
KDX200 X 2
KX125
CR125
RMX250 X 2
KX80 X 2
YZ80

Linx
Posts: 169
Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:23 pm
Location: Stratford Upon Avon UK

Re: Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#3 Post by Linx » Sun Nov 11, 2018 5:28 pm

Seems to be normal. I'm not sure why. My engine is noisy at idle too.

Sent from my HTC Desire 530 using Tapatalk
:smt006 Current Bikes
1984 47X RD500LC, 2018 Triumph Speed Triple RS, 1999 Honda CB600F Hornet
Past Bikes Include
RD250LC, RD350YPVS LC2 Race Bike, RD350F2, 1976 CB400F

silverstrom
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Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2012 7:36 am

Re: Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#4 Post by silverstrom » Sun Nov 11, 2018 5:28 pm

They are noisy. You may find the noise lessens after the engine is fully warm. Ear plugs solve the problem.

If you have forged pistons that can contribute to a rattle until they reach operating temperature.

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tacky1
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Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2015 12:30 pm
Location: Bay Area. CA.

Re: Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#5 Post by tacky1 » Sun Nov 11, 2018 9:50 pm

Mine all rattle, Balancing the carbs make them sound better, Use an air flow mete to set them rather than the OEM marks on the carbs,

Something like this https://www.ebay.com/i/173355150137?chn=ps" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1985 RZv500
1984 RZ500 Hybrid
1986 RG500 Walter Wolf
1986 RG500 Skoal Bandit
1984 RZ350
1984 RZ350 Hybrid
1981 RD350LC
1981 RD350LC Hybrid
2009 CR500AF Supermoto 250X
2007 CR500AF 250X
1988 YSR50 (2)
1989 VFR750R RC30
1984 GPZ750 Turbo

MartyB
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 4:14 am

Re: Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#6 Post by MartyB » Mon Nov 12, 2018 6:34 pm

Thank you Sir. I have ordered a flow meter as you suggest. Will let you know how I get on, however reading some of the other post it would appear that balancing the carbs makes quite some difference.

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kpke
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Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:54 pm
Location: Livermore, CA USA

Re: Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#7 Post by kpke » Tue Nov 13, 2018 12:14 pm

It made a unbelievable huge difference on mine using that tool.

Good luck.
Ken's Garage YouTube Channel :smt023
https://www.youtube.com/c/KensGarage1

1985 RZ500 (R6 suspension & body work)

Linx
Posts: 169
Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:23 pm
Location: Stratford Upon Avon UK

Re: Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#8 Post by Linx » Tue Nov 13, 2018 12:55 pm

Mine is definitely quieter with the clutch pulled in. Is this normal? Or likely to be clutch or gearbox bearings?

Sent from my HTC Desire 530 using Tapatalk
:smt006 Current Bikes
1984 47X RD500LC, 2018 Triumph Speed Triple RS, 1999 Honda CB600F Hornet
Past Bikes Include
RD250LC, RD350YPVS LC2 Race Bike, RD350F2, 1976 CB400F

steveho
Posts: 229
Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2015 4:01 pm
Location: Southampton, England

Re: Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#9 Post by steveho » Tue Nov 13, 2018 5:05 pm

Most (if not all) of my Yamaha 2-strokes are quieter when ticking over, when the clutch lever is pulled. Some more than others. I think this is normal to a certain degree.

Not sure of the mechanism though...
Maybe pulling the lever stops the plates rattling in the basket and hub grooves, especially when worn, or maybe pre-loads sloppy cush-drive rubbers....? Anyone know?

Brad Winchester
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 5:09 am

Re: Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#10 Post by Brad Winchester » Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:03 pm

The rattle on my bike does sound quieter with the clutch pulled in. Going to try carb balancing.
RZ500
ZXR900
FZ750x2
FZR250x2
ZXR250
GSX250
GPX250
Boulevard
KDX200 X 2
KX125
CR125
RMX250 X 2
KX80 X 2
YZ80

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ns86
Posts: 833
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2010 9:46 pm
Location: ontario canada

Re: Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#11 Post by ns86 » Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:34 pm

From the moment I heard the first RZ500 fire up when they first arrived, I found it a gnarly sounding engine. I always assumed it was the crank/balancer gear design. Similar to the off throttle harmonic buzz/whine on all but the S model. It is certainly a unique sounding engine and always has been.
1985 RZ500
1986 RG500
1986 RG500 C
1992 RGV500 WW ATR
1992 RGV500 LS
1985 NS500 Spencer p
1989 TZR500 Biaggi p
1984 RZV500 Rainey p
1994 NSR250sp R
1983 NS250 p
1987 RG250 WW p
1983 RG250 p
1988 YSR50 p

MartyB
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 4:14 am

Re: Engine noisy with rattle at tickover

#12 Post by MartyB » Sat Nov 17, 2018 3:06 pm

Hi Tacky1, synced the carbs today with the flowmeter. Cant say the engine is significantly quieter when ticking over, but runs really well and definately worth to do.

Also good comment from ns86, I had wondered if the wine as I close the throttle at higher revs was normal...clearly it is.

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