hello all,i'm new to posting threads and i think i might be in the wrong area if so i'm sorry and don't mind it the moderators move it to the correct area.At the moment i'm working on a friends 97 heritage which has traveled over 50,000 miles and it has developed a strange noise it sounds like 3 or 4 rattles then a large gap and then repeats,the noise is there with the clutch in or out with no difference the strange thing is when you back off the throttle while coasting/riding the noise disappears, i was told it could be primary noise,i removed the cover and checked the free-play in the chain and it was OK i replaced the compensating sprocket and while i was there and checked the clutch and all OK. I then removed the cam and found small scores in the brass bushes in the side case but they were not too bad,i then removed the rocker covers and dismantled the rocker shafts and also found slight play in the bushes,i made a video with my phone but i don't know how to upload to my thread but if someone can let me know how to do it i will be grateful,cheers Ed.ps it is an MP4 file and a 3ga file.pss i went back in and replaced the primary chain and then got a stethoscope and screwdriver to try to find the origin,it seems to be primary,cam and front head areas so maybe i'm thinking lifters.

 

Excellent description of ongoing problem , Thank you.

Suggest stethascope test of cam chest , lifters , to determin if cam and lifters etc. are ok.
" rattles " as described could be from anything ... Determine WHERE the noise is coming from , motor , etc. ? You dont need to be tearing into anymore than you have if you can isolate the problem noise to a particular area. Test and confirm the trouble site first.

 

This stood out to me because I just solved a similar sound in my 85 evo and it too would quiet when backing off the throttle. Does the noise disappear after the bike has been ridden a little like after it has started to warm up, or not?

 

pull your primary chain off. Start the bike. The sound will not be there. Your issue is in the transmission.
Hatch.

 

OP...still there ?

 

Can`t be done.

 

Defeatist.lol.
I know just having a giggle.

 

You must start the bike, then remove the primary chain...

 

Odds are at 50k it's ready for lifters. I did a cam upgrade @ 46k with new lifters and the noise you referred to disappeared. Most say about 50k for lifters.

I later started hearing "the noise" again and discovered this time it was the compensator nut was loose enough I could turn it with my fingers, that's not 80 to 100 foot pounds! Can't believe an indy can get the cam and lifters in properly but failed to tighten the compensator nut properly. And there was also the loose clutch hub bolts too. ugh! Glad I went back into the primary right away!!!

I'll have a hard time ever trusting anyone working on my ride again!