1946415cd Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Are XS500 engines noisey by design? I have a 1975 C model with only 5200 miles on it. The engine runs very well, has good compression and no visable smoke or oil leaks. At any rpm above 3500 it sounds like any other air cooled twin, below that and especially at idle its quite noisey. If I had to guess, I would say that the noise is coming from the right side of the crankcase and the right side of the valve cover. I'm sure its all timing chain related.The chain tensioner is just a bogus spring loaded affair that really is not adjustable ( sorry Yamaha, the adjustment proceedure in the shop manual is all BS, the tensioner is free to move up and down regardless of how tight the adjuster nut is) I believe the noise is coming from the crankshaft gear drive part of the timing chain and the chain clattering between the camshafts. The only other bike I have heard running also sounded horrible as do the ones I have heard online. So... what do you folks say? are the 500's just noisey by nature? It makes sense to me that with all those gears and chains it would make for a noisey engine, but it also makes me wonder how Yamaha ever sold the bikes? Thanks. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1946415cd Posted February 28, 2010 Author Share Posted February 28, 2010 Are XS500 engines noisey by design? I have a 1975 C model with only 5200 miles on it. The engine runs very well, has good compression and no visable smoke or oil leaks. At any rpm above 3500 it sounds like any other air cooled twin, below that and especially at idle its quite noisey. If I had to guess, I would say that the noise is coming from the right side of the crankcase and the right side of the valve cover. I'm sure its all timing chain related.The chain tensioner is just a bogus spring loaded affair that really is not adjustable ( sorry Yamaha, the adjustment proceedure in the shop manual is all BS, the tensioner is free to move up and down regardless of how tight the adjuster nut is) I believe the noise is coming from the crankshaft gear drive part of the timing chain and the chain clattering between the camshafts. The only other bike I have heard running also sounded horrible as do the ones I have heard online. So... what do you folks say? are the 500's just noisey by nature? It makes sense to me that with all those gears and chains it would make for a noisey engine, but it also makes me wonder how Yamaha ever sold the bikes? Thanks. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjscucluna Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 mine is sort of similar but it is a loos baffle on the right exhaust. the 1975 xs500 is an xs500b i thought? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1946415cd Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 mine is sort of similar but it is a loos baffle on the right exhaust. the 1975 xs500 is an xs500b i thought? You are correct, mine is a 1976. So, the engine on your bike is quiet? It doesn't sound like it needs a valve and timing chain adjust? Thanks. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjscucluna Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 You are correct, mine is a 1976. So, the engine on your bike is quiet? It doesn't sound like it needs a valve and timing chain adjust? Thanks. Don im no expert but i dont think so the cam chain tensioner on these bikes have a plastic surface which gets brittle over time just have a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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