Rattling sound in engine - Storm 250

[Evelyn]

Hi again Chinariders :)
Please tell me if this sounds right to you:

https://youtu.be/hhc3Y8JmJxU

Thanks!

[mq1991]

Sounds like mine, probably valve noise. Im not sure what is normal either. My best guess would be that its too much, but I still gotta dive in and readjust mine.

Hope someone more knowledgeable than I chimes in.

[dossbag]

I have the exact bike and mine is much quieter. I was told they come tight from new. I'm kinda happy with the way mine is.. I know Evelyn got her bike pre-assembled from a dealer. So not sure if they did a proper service on it or not.

[culcune]

There should be some kind of warranty on it still?

[Evelyn]

They want 100$ for a first service witch includes stuff I've already done (thanks to Jeff - dossbag).. They didn't say adjusting the valves is included...

[CSaddict]

Sounds like an exhaust leak.

[culcune]

Sounds like an exhaust leak.

Duh! I totally forgot about those soft-clay-like-bolts that hold bolt the exhaust to the engine. It sounds like something major is wrong, but no, it is a bolt... Simple fix is to tighten them--slightly harder fix, and risks breaking one of them (the one that isn't loose) when you remove it, is to replace them with better bolts!

[Evelyn]

And I was sure everyone here would say stuff about valve adjusting.... The sound isn't very strong in reality, the higher edge (the sound I'm concerned about) is stronger in the vid cuz I put the camera really close to it. It's coming from inside the engine. I'll check the bolt connecting the exhaust . Maybe it's that, I wish. Thanks all

[BlackBike]

Did you begin your xcountry trip? If you are doing long stints at high speed on this bike I think it's best to keep it between 50 and 55 miles per hour on the GPS. It is tempting to go wot since is is a good runner. The mph indicator is totally wrong. By the way from my experience. Hope it works out!

[SpudRider]

And I was sure everyone here would say stuff about valve adjusting.... The sound isn't very strong in reality, the higher edge (the sound I'm concerned about) is stronger in the vid cuz I put the camera really close to it. It's coming from inside the engine. I'll check the bolt connecting the exhaust . Maybe it's that, I wish. Thanks all

The engine sounds normal to me. :) However, I still strongly suggest you check the valve lash. Other than changing the motor oil frequently, the best thing you can do to prolong the life of your motor is maintaining the proper valve lash. ;)

[dossbag]

I feel another video coming on :)
Main worry is the valve cover.. looks pretty tight in there.

I'm off today, I might fire up the shed heater and see whats needed.

[2LZ]

I feel another video coming on :)
Main worry is the valve cover.. looks pretty tight in there.

I'm off today, I might fire up the shed heater and see whats needed.

It's kinda tight but can be easily wiggled out. Be careful of the o-ring gasket. I just did mine last weekend. Piece-o-cake.
Here's a pic of what to expect if you haven't adjusted the valves yet. Seriously easy access.
I go TDC compression stroke, Intake - .05mm and Exhaust - .08mm.

Evelyn - when you do check the exhaust header bolts (or nuts, whichever the case may be), loosen the entire exhaust system all the way back first, to give you the "wiggle room" to make sure the exhaust header is flush with the head before tightening them down, then tighten the rest of the exhaust on back to the tail of the bike.

[dossbag]

Nice clear shot.. Thanks 2LZ. :) My phone filled up and I had to trim things out but I managed a video. BTW.. the book states .05mm in and out so I'm not sure where the exact figure lies. Can't be worse than what mine was pre-set to... you won't believe it!! :wtf: :doh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnpI9ObYYVo" ("https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnpI9ObYYVo)

[Evelyn]

Thanks everybody!! I'll tell you how my valves looked like.
That vid explained a lot to me thanks Jeff

[2LZ]

I ended up going with .05 and .08 for a couple reasons. One, I read it somewhere but yes, most say .05 and .05. What I DID find after a number of valve adjustments is that the exhaust valve has a tendency to always be tighter than the intake when it wore between adjustments (probably due to the greater heat)....so I went with the .08 on the exhaust to help offset that wear a little between adjustments. I'm sure they're fine either way. The lash is so tiny anyway...

[mjstef]

I ended up going with .05 and .08 for a couple reasons. One, I read it somewhere but yes, most say .05 and .05. What I DID find after a number of valve adjustments is that the exhaust valve has a tendency to always be tighter than the intake when it wore between adjustments (probably due to the greater heat)....so I went with the .08 on the exhaust to help offset that wear a little between adjustments. I'm sure they're fine either way. The lash is so tiny anyway...


Small air cooled engines, (lawn mowers) are .07-.11 so your fine.....

[Evelyn]

So I opened the engine cap as in Jeffs video, one valve was 0 mm and the other 0.07 mm
Set both to 0.05-0.06 mm
The noise now is same strength but seems more "even" or simetrical.
I'll post some photos and maybe a video soon with all the modifications and stuff I put on the bike for the trip to NY...
Good night & happy weekend everyone:)