Crackling Sound at 8-9K

[CrzyFstMnM]

So this is interesting. Ive been noticing it for awhile. At any gear higher than 3rd (4th or above) when i get to between 8 and 9K i hear a crackling sound from the engine...sounds like a metallic vibration i guess. after i pass 9K it doesn't do it and below 8K doesn't do it either.

anyone have any idea. freak thing or shud i take it in somewhere?

[kkim]

sounds like marbles in a can being shaken around?

[CrzyFstMnM]

if i had to venture a wild guess then yea. its like a sharp metallic crackling sound just at those rpms at those gears.

[kkim]

first test- try using a higher octane fuel and see if the noise goes away.

if it does, you may be too lean in the clip position on your needle. you may need to add another washer if the higher octane test helps the pinging/denotation.

Has the weather been extra hot there lately?

[CrzyFstMnM]

eh not really that hot. im hoping i don't have to add another washer. its P.I.T.A for the carbs on the bike. idk how it is with u guys but two screws on both carbs are directly under the frame so you have to use an L shaped screwdriver, crazy

[Angel-be-Good]

Try holding your clutch lever during those revs.

At that exact same rev range, my clutch lever rattles. I wouldn't describe it as a crackling, so maybe not the same thing you're hearing, but it doesn't sound like a rattle--sounds like something loose inside the engine. But it's just the clutch lever. Let the sound start, then put touch the lever and see if it doesn't stop immediately.

[noche_caliente]

Originally Posted by CrzyFstMnM

eh not really that hot. im hoping i don't have to add another washer. its P.I.T.A for the carbs on the bike. idk how it is with u guys but two screws on both carbs are directly under the frame so you have to use an L shaped screwdriver, crazy

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003c

Only $7! I couldn't find the Milwaukee Offset screwdriver that Vex loves so much anywhere locally, but found that at Sears. NJD022588 was here the other night and we had to do some unexpected carb work on his bike. He said that he likes this one even better than the MOS!

[gamma500]

Hey Manoj..

Did this just start happening..?...try putting your snorkel back in (hard to get completely back in but you can shove it in pretty close if you pry on the grooved lips) and see what happens. I had 1 shim and the snorkel out on the VR6 and she ran perfectly...put the snorkel back in to "richen" it up and she crackled at 8-9 K and wouldn't pull beyond. Your case is different since you can go beyond 9K rpms but curious what resnorkeling does.

[250fan]

Originally Posted by Angel-be-Good

Try holding your clutch lever during those revs.

At that exact same rev range, my clutch lever rattles. I wouldn't describe it as a crackling, so maybe not the same thing you're hearing, but it doesn't sound like a rattle--sounds like something loose inside the engine. But it's just the clutch lever. Let the sound start, then put touch the lever and see if it doesn't stop immediately.

i'm willing to bet its your clutch lever as well.....hold your hand on top of the clutch lever to stop the noise.....its a common problem on the bike

[CrzyFstMnM]

thanks for that link noche

and gamma i haven't installed the exhaust yet so not sure about that.

and yea i do think its the clutch lever actually. ill check it again to be sure. and also after i install the exhaust

[kkim]

Originally Posted by CrzyFstMnM

...and yea i do think its the clutch lever actually.

hope so... I always ride with my fingers on the clutch lever so I never hear it vibrate.

[gamma500]

Originally Posted by CrzyFstMnM

thanks for that link noche

and gamma i haven't installed the exhaust yet so not sure about that.

and yea i do think its the clutch lever actually. ill check it again to be sure. and also after i install the exhaust

Tracking says she's in Phoenix .....tomorrow's the day !

[CrzyFstMnM]

Originally Posted by gamma500

Tracking says she's in Phoenix .....tomorrow's the day !

ha i know can't wait. going to install it on tuesday i think

[Angel-be-Good]

Originally Posted by kkim

hope so... I always ride with my fingers on the clutch lever so I never hear it vibrate.

Surely there's gotta be a better DIY fix for the rattling clutch lever. Someone *nudge nudge* should come up with something...

[kkim]

There most likely is, but I would rather have a clutch lever that has the least amount of resistance as possible. Just seems adding nylon washers or whatever is needed to take out the loose lever would increase friction at that pivot point.

For me, it's a non issue due to me riding with my fingers on the lever. (Old dirt bike riding habit)

[CrzyFstMnM]

Well i confirmed what you guys said. It definitely is the clutch lever. And i did notice how loose the clutch lever is in terms of play not only in and out but up and down as well. but i do agree with kkim in that it shouldn't be tight but i do think that there should be a simple solution to that. it is kind of annoying ha unless of course we do what kkim does

[kkim]

Originally Posted by CrzyFstMnM

Well i confirmed what you guys said. It definitely is the clutch lever.

Glad you found your problem.

[Angel-be-Good]

I think the rattling has to come from the up and down play, which if tightened shouldn't interfere with operation of the clutch, right?

[CrzyFstMnM]

Originally Posted by Angel-be-Good

I think the rattling has to come from the up and down play, which if tightened shouldn't interfere with operation of the clutch, right?

thats what im trying to figure out. if anyone has tried tightening this will you let us know how the clutch runs after that. is there something that u CAN tighten for the up and down play? or is it just the in and out? hmmm

[LazinCajun]

The only stock adjustment is the in-out play.

[Angel-be-Good]

Originally Posted by LazinCajun

The only stock adjustment is the in-out play.

Which brings me back to my original point: Someone with a much better idea of what they're doing than me (like Kim) should figure this out for the better of all humanity.

[CrzyFstMnM]

Originally Posted by Angel-be-Good

Which brings me back to my original point: Someone with a much better idea of what they're doing than me (like Kim) should figure this out for the better of all humanity.

Definitely. Go Kim!

[LazinCajun]

Originally Posted by kkim

There most likely is, but I would rather have a clutch lever that has the least amount of resistance as possible. Just seems adding nylon washers or whatever is needed to take out the loose lever would increase friction at that pivot point.

For me, it's a non issue due to me riding with my fingers on the lever. (Old dirt bike riding habit)

Originally Posted by Angel-be-Good

Which brings me back to my original point: Someone with a much better idea of what they're doing than me (like Kim) should figure this out for the better of all humanity.

I think he DID find a solution. :P

[Anteraan]

Originally Posted by kkim

For me, it's a non issue due to me riding with my fingers on the lever. (Old dirt bike riding habit)

I ride the same way, but for me the up/down play is a bit annoying - more so when the bike is at rest. Maybe I'm just fussy over fit and finish, and need to remind myself it's a ~$4,000 sportbike.

[CrzyFstMnM]

Originally Posted by Anteraan

but for me the up/down play is a bit annoying -

yea i know what u mean. at first when i noticed i thought, wait did something happen to my clutch lever, is something wrong. but then i realized okay its just how the lever is. does anyone know if the up and down play makes the clutch work easier?

[negroninja]

i have the same exact probelm in liek 2nd and 3rd gear at around that rpm its liek a metal rattling noise in the engine and its only at that rpm, then as i ride out faster it goes away but it happens everytime..would that clutch lever problem make the noise happen in the engine cause it sounds liek its coming from below me..it sounds exact;y like this what u guys are describing and it rele annoying

[kkim]

put your hand on the clutch lever and see if it stops the noise. if it does, the problem is the clutch lever. if it doesn't, that's not what's making the noise.

[tsdexter]

I know this is old, but my clutch was pretty tight when I took it in to get tires insstalled. When I came back the mechanic said he loosened it because there needs to be some play for when the handles bars are turning, or something to that effect.

The first couple weeks I was riding I don't remember ever noticing this crackling sound, but then recently I hear it every time at ~8800rpm.

I only have one bolt in my license plates because it's a Canadian plate on an American bracket, I thought it was that so I drilled a hole in the bracket for the other screw and put rubber between the bracket and plate. The rattling screw stopped but not the crackling..

After reading this page I remember it started around when I changed the tires and the mechanic loosened it... I will confirm tomorrow if holding the clutch works.. Hopefully!

Thanks