Amazing adventures of the Super Chicken!
09-01-2012, 06:04 PM
#1
Brooks' Cycle Centre'
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Amazing adventures of the Super Chicken!
So, I reached 50,000 miles on my Chicken last week! I was on top of Skyline drive, the sun was out over the clouds, I held her and told her I love her. It was a beautiful moment. I bought her new in February of 2003. I have done a few mods, like slip on scorpions, stage 1 jet, pro shift/clutch kit, steel lines all around, 4 deg timing advance and PAIR valve removal. I'm on my 3rd chain and ORIGINAL SPROCKETS. No kidding, they still look great, too! I've only done regular maintenance and I had to replace my fork seals at 40,000 miles. Other than that, she has been worry-free!
About a month ago, she started developing a ticking sound. Matches RPM regardless of speed. At first I thought a valve adjustment was due as well as cam chain tensioner replacement. So, I did. The ticking continued. Over time it sounded more like an exhaust leak. The header pipe gasket was gone, so I replaced the copper gaskets at the cylinder exhaust and on the connecter pipe. This ticking is starting to **** me off. It seriously sounds like an exhaust leak coupled with a faulty cam chain tensioner, but I've already replaced that shiznit. Any suggestions before this sound drives me insane?!
Oh, and here's a picture for you to enjoy! On top of the world, skyline drive, in Virginia U.S.
About a month ago, she started developing a ticking sound. Matches RPM regardless of speed. At first I thought a valve adjustment was due as well as cam chain tensioner replacement. So, I did. The ticking continued. Over time it sounded more like an exhaust leak. The header pipe gasket was gone, so I replaced the copper gaskets at the cylinder exhaust and on the connecter pipe. This ticking is starting to **** me off. It seriously sounds like an exhaust leak coupled with a faulty cam chain tensioner, but I've already replaced that shiznit. Any suggestions before this sound drives me insane?!
Oh, and here's a picture for you to enjoy! On top of the world, skyline drive, in Virginia U.S.
09-01-2012, 07:03 PM
#2
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MotoGP
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: altoona, pa
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ticking puzzler. I don't think it would be a faulty CCT, which I assume you replaced with OEM's......that would be too weird. Sounds like something not getting oil, kinda like hydraulic valves when you first start the engine.
Maybe you need to get a stethoscope to help you zero in on that noise before you end up replacing everything.haha
J/K
09-02-2012, 09:00 AM
#7
Well take off, eh.
SuperBike
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: QC, Canada
Posts: 1,201
Does it make this ticking if you're in gear only ? Or, will it still do it in neuteral, and giving it gas ?
By this way, you will narrow your search a little to engine, or rolling parts.
Don't get me wrong, can still be an engine issue.
The fact that you have never replaced sprockets while changing chains makes me wonder if this is not the issue.
By this way, you will narrow your search a little to engine, or rolling parts.
Don't get me wrong, can still be an engine issue.
The fact that you have never replaced sprockets while changing chains makes me wonder if this is not the issue.
09-02-2012, 09:28 AM
#8
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SuperSport
Join Date: Nov 2011
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You are most likely eating up chains by not switching sprockets. I got 26k out of my stock chain and sprockets, you should get at least 20k out of a chain. The sprockets may look fine but they will wear out a new chain fast.
Did you replace both exhaust collars? Check where the header attaches to the heads also. And another thing could be that your cans may need to be repacked. You can take a screwdriver and place the tip to where you want to listen and the handle to your ear in place of a stethoscope.
Did you replace both exhaust collars? Check where the header attaches to the heads also. And another thing could be that your cans may need to be repacked. You can take a screwdriver and place the tip to where you want to listen and the handle to your ear in place of a stethoscope.
09-02-2012, 09:39 AM
#9
Well take off, eh.
SuperBike
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: QC, Canada
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09-03-2012, 05:38 PM
#10
Brooks' Cycle Centre'
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You are most likely eating up chains by not switching sprockets. I got 26k out of my stock chain and sprockets, you should get at least 20k out of a chain. The sprockets may look fine but they will wear out a new chain fast.
Did you replace both exhaust collars? Check where the header attaches to the heads also. And another thing could be that your cans may need to be repacked. You can take a screwdriver and place the tip to where you want to listen and the handle to your ear in place of a stethoscope.
Did you replace both exhaust collars? Check where the header attaches to the heads also. And another thing could be that your cans may need to be repacked. You can take a screwdriver and place the tip to where you want to listen and the handle to your ear in place of a stethoscope.
I got 20K out of my first chain, 20K on my second and my third is on the brink, so yes I will be changing sprockets this time.
09-03-2012, 05:42 PM
#12
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Does it make this ticking if you're in gear only ? Or, will it still do it in neuteral, and giving it gas ?
By this way, you will narrow your search a little to engine, or rolling parts.
Don't get me wrong, can still be an engine issue.
The fact that you have never replaced sprockets while changing chains makes me wonder if this is not the issue.
By this way, you will narrow your search a little to engine, or rolling parts.
Don't get me wrong, can still be an engine issue.
The fact that you have never replaced sprockets while changing chains makes me wonder if this is not the issue.
09-05-2012, 07:06 AM
#13
Junior Member
Squid
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 11
I'm no mechanic, but even manual cct's can need adjustment, so it may be worth checking that they're still correctly set.
hopefully, it will be somethig simple to sort out so you can enjoy the next 50k miles
hopefully, it will be somethig simple to sort out so you can enjoy the next 50k miles
09-05-2012, 11:20 AM
#14
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MotoGP
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Location: altoona, pa
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what were you valve readings when you checked? did you set your ccts with the engine running? did you listen with a stethoscope yet?
we hope its not a ticking time bomb or cause it'll destroy all the evidence.
we hope its not a ticking time bomb or cause it'll destroy all the evidence.
Last edited by nath981; 09-05-2012 at 03:28 PM.
09-05-2012, 01:50 PM
#16
Well take off, eh.
SuperBike
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: QC, Canada
Posts: 1,201
You should be able to repack the silencers. No reason not to, however, best way is to search their site, or even better, call !
Scorpion Moto Products
09-06-2012, 12:49 PM
#19
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Superstock
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Typically these engines have valves get tighter, not looser (noisier), so it's doubtful that it's valve clearance. Though it may warrant checking valve clearances...when was the last time you checked/changed shims? At that point, with the valve covers off you can get a feel for how well the stock tensioners are actually holding the cam chains. I changed mine to manual about 15k ago or so, and adjusted them while running and never checked them again. Still was getting a little noise recently when I went in to do my valve adjustment, and was surprised at how loose the front one actually was (I don't remember if I pulled the front valve cover. Adjusting by sound certainly isn't a perfect science, and I was certainly worried about overtightening. It's much quieter now. Seems possible that you have a tensioner that isn't keeping perfect tension.
-R
-R
09-07-2012, 09:35 AM
#20
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SuperSport
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Posts: 582
there's a skyline drive in Northern California, too. Not sure of altitude but is likely to be 1000 to 1500 feet above sea level. Much the same view and twisty roads. Wish I could offer suggestions on your problem. Nice looking bike!
09-09-2012, 08:55 AM
#22
Brooks' Cycle Centre'
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09-09-2012, 04:41 PM
#23
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Superstock
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I did a great moto ride out that way a year ago (on a rented Harley..). We did some great stuff.
09-15-2012, 01:44 PM
#24
Brooks' Cycle Centre'
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Indeed (Ever ridden Crest Hill?). I was pretty amazed to see the "High crash area" motorcycle signs last time I rode there. It's as if they've just accepted that sportbikes will be stuffed under the guardrails ever now and then (I've seen a few myself).
I did a great moto ride out that way a year ago (on a rented Harley..). We did some great stuff.
I did a great moto ride out that way a year ago (on a rented Harley..). We did some great stuff.
UPDATE: Put the bike on the stands to try and isolate the sound. It sounds like it's coming from half way back, right side. I re-checked all the pipe connections and it turns out that one of my pipe clamps is going bad, stripping out whatnot. I took my pipe off and notice a rattle when I lightly banged it with my hand. This is probably the sound that I've been hearing. Sounds like the baffles are wearing loose. Sounds like I need some new pipes. Hmmmmm...... What to get!?
02-28-2013, 02:33 PM
#25
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UPDATE:
The sound is getting a bit more pronounced and my bike started running just a little funny. Almost like detonation, but not really. I put the bike on the stands yesterday and decided to get down in to it. I checked the valves and everything is gravy there. I did find a vacuum line in the Air Cut valve. I'm sure that could attribute to the lean condition in the rear cylinder. But STILL, this damn ticking noise. It's driving me crazy for realz.
The sound is getting a bit more pronounced and my bike started running just a little funny. Almost like detonation, but not really. I put the bike on the stands yesterday and decided to get down in to it. I checked the valves and everything is gravy there. I did find a vacuum line in the Air Cut valve. I'm sure that could attribute to the lean condition in the rear cylinder. But STILL, this damn ticking noise. It's driving me crazy for realz.
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