Weird cam chain like noise? Need help!

So I went for a 70 mile ride yesterday and when I got back into town I noticed that it was making a really weird noise when I would let off the throttle and there was no load on the engine. I automatically thought cam chain tensioner failure. I tore the tensioner apart today and everything is working good on it. I cleaned it up and lubed it anyhow and when I put it back in the bike I pulled the lock-bolt out and it slammed against the chain guide like it is suppose too. At that point I left the bolt out and rotated the engine a couple revolutions with a ratchet and then inserted the bolt and set the lock nut. Well, I though for sure this would take care of it, but it didn't. It sounds awful when at a light or stop sign now and letting off the engine and taking away the load. Anybody have any ides? The bike runs great when loading the engine or running down the road. Just baffled. It's a constant sound like a chain. Wow, a lot of bugs to work out on an old-school project back from the dead! Thanks!

Aaron

P.S. I checked all my exhaust bolts. It's coming from under the valve cover area.......

pull the cover and look around

Possible carb synch issue? Does it go away if you raise the idle speed a bit?
Mine rattles and growls when I need a tune up.
Can you post a video on YouTube? This seems to come up occasionally.


Can you describe the ruckus?

the tach drive gear is there too.....my 2 cents

AaronOregon wrote: So I went for a 70 mile ride yesterday and when I got back into town I noticed that it was making a really weird noise when I would let off the throttle and there was no load on the engine. I automatically thought cam chain tensioner failure. I tore the tensioner apart today and everything is working good on it. I cleaned it up and lubed it anyhow and when I put it back in the bike I pulled the lock-bolt out and it slammed against the chain guide like it is suppose too. At that point I left the bolt out and rotated the engine a couple revolutions with a ratchet and then inserted the bolt and set the lock nut. Well, I though for sure this would take care of it, but it didn't. It sounds awful when at a light or stop sign now and letting off the engine and taking away the load. Anybody have any ides? The bike runs great when loading the engine or running down the road. Just baffled. It's a constant sound like a chain. Wow, a lot of bugs to work out on an old-school project back from the dead! Thanks!

Aaron

P.S. I checked all my exhaust bolts. It's coming from under the valve cover area.......

I know there are several different types of KZ tensioners, but the way you adjusted yours is WAY different (and not in a good way) than the way my KZ650 is done. Are you positive that the way you adjusted it is how the Kawasaki Service Manual or the Owners Manual describes the process? If not, you should track down and perform the correct procedure before you run and possibly damage the engine. Ed

trianglelaguna wrote: the tach drive gear is there too.....my 2 cents

You may be on to something here...........While on the 70 mile ride I noticed my tach started jumping around in the range it was in, where it has not done that in the past. Can I just pull it out and cap it off or what goes wrong with them? Good call!

Aaron

Just unhook the cable from tach drive on head if it has one,no need to cap it off.

But I think it is probably the gear, not the cable making the noise. Either it is this or I just need a manual cam chain tensioner.

block the tach hole like this

I went ahead and ordered a manual chain adjuster. Between these two things I think it will take care of it hopefully.

Aaron

nice bike hope you solve the prob...

Hi Aaron, Make sure you adjust the tensioner according to the factory manual. There is a certain spot where you tighten it against the chain. I put a double wedge type of automatic chain tensioner in my KZ 650 and it's working fine. Maybe you had the junk ball bearing type in your bike. Bob