qlink xf clanging after winter storage

[milarepa999]

Greetings Good people
I have a qlink xf, I’ve had it since 2010 it has 12,000Km on it as I have road it every warm season since I’ve acquired it. Anyway I went to get it out from winter storage this year and started it up and the bike all of the sudden has a clanging clanking noise in the engine that was not present before or when I put it in for storage for the winter cold months. I’ve checked the cam tensioner and it is working properly. the rod was not pushed out all the way and has quite a lot to go before the rod would be extended its entire length. So the cam chain. should be good(by the way how long does the cam chain last before needing replaced?). The clutch is tight and good, valves are are adjusted to specs, changed oil and went over the entire bike for lose bolt and parts. The sound is just a constant clanging at idle and revved. Doesn’t matter if it is in neutral or in any of the gears, it still make the steady unusual sound. Sometimes it will all of the sudden stop for a while only to start back up again. Any suggestions as to what this may be So I can maybe go straight to the cause and fix it.
Thank you for your Help?

[FastDoc]

Loose exhaust heat shield? Broken baffle in muffler? Does it change with road speed? Engine speed? Engine load? How is the chain?

[Weldangrind]

If you disconnect the ignition coil and remove the spark plug, you would be able to kick it over very easily. Please let us know if the noise is present as you kick it over.

[milarepa999]

Thank you fastDoc and weldangrind Much love for your suggestions and assistance. The chain and exhaust are all good. The sound is coming from inside the engine and it does increase its frequency with engine speed/revs but not its loudness as it will pretty much stay at a constant disable level. The next 50 degree day we get here in the North east I’ll pull off the magneto and clutch coves and have a look inside. I read something about glazed clutch plates after sitting for awhile. If there are any other suggestion please let me know. I will get back to the group and let everyone know what I find.
Thank you

[Weldangrind]

I think it's a good idea to look inside, but I can't imagine how glazed clutch plates could produce noise like that. I've had experience with clutch plates sticking together, but never making noise.

Perhaps you'll find a loose bolt on the shifter mechanism, which is likely under the clutch cover on your model.

[alex_in_az]

Originally Posted by milarepa999

Thank you fastDoc and weldangrind Much love for your suggestions and assistance. The chain and exhaust are all good. The sound is coming from inside the engine and it does increase its frequency with engine speed/revs but not its loudness as it will pretty much stay at a constant disable level. The next 50 degree day we get here in the North east I’ll pull off the magneto and clutch coves and have a look inside. I read something about glazed clutch plates after sitting for awhile. If there are any other suggestion please let me know. I will get back to the group and let everyone know what I find.
Thank you

had a similar issue on a CB125 many moons ago, the cam chain had skipped a sooth and one of the valves was just kissing the piston at TDC. it severely lacked power as well. I was able to re-time the engine without any damage.
The cam chain tensioners on those engines are not that reliable, IIRC you undo a bolt then spring pressure is supposed to pull the tensioner into the chain then you re-tighten the bolt. if the bolt is over tightened it can distort the shaft and it stops working.

[FastDoc]

I can't imagine what could have gone wrong in storage...

[FastDoc]

WAIT!

I may have figured it out!

Have you checked the oil level? Is it high? Does it feel or smell peculiar?

Maybe fuel got past the petcock (even if it was closed) and the needle valve. From there it goes into the engine and gets into the crankcase. This dilutes and ruins the oil, and your motor too if you don't catch it.

[milarepa999]

I’m hoping I just find a loose bolt and nothing major. The sound it makes is as if something came loose or is loose. It has its normal amount of power so I am hoping it is not a cam issue this early in the bikes existence. I ride with care and never rip around on the bike, so I can’t imagine that anything is worn yet, though I could be wrong. I will take into account all the suggestion and check into them when I open it up on Friday as that looks like when it's going to be warmer and comfortable enough to check it out.
Thank you Fellas!

[david3921]

Check the starter. I'm drawing a blank right now what it's called but the thing that moves forward when the starter is engaged that meshes with the gear could be stuck. Easy enough to check as the starter is easy to pull on the Qlinks.

[Weldangrind]

I'm guessing that the word you're searching for is Bendix.

[david3921]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I'm guessing that the word you're searching for is Bendix.

Yep, thanks Weld. Not convinced that it's the problem but it's the only thing that sprang to mind given that the sound goes away sometimes.

[SpudRider]

When you get time, please do post an update. I'm interested to learn the source of this unusual noise.

[zingshoen]

probably the exhaust valve being a bit loose and tapping audibly?

[FastDoc]

I still think my theory is either correct or merits exclusion.