qlink xf clanging after winter storage

[katoranger]

I think that Doc is on to something. That has happen to me enough times.

[milarepa999]

Well I think I got the location of the noise pinned down to the area of the kick starter. Though when I had the clutch cover off I did not recognize anything amiss. When the engine is running it makes a noise more like a rattling rather than a clanging. It is not the same rattling that the kick makes when you have it engaged when the motor in running, the sound is different than that type of rattle. The rattle will stop every so often and its normal running engine sound will ring nice for a few moment then the rattle will return. If any of you good fellows have any suggestions as to what may be happening, I’m going to take the clutch cover back off again tomorrow.
I checked the suggestions you guys mentioned and everything seems well. Glad it was not a cam chain issue yet. The chain seemed well and tight.

[stretch8668]

If it were me I'd check every bolt and snap ring/ clip behind it. I just recently aquired bike that wouldn't shift cause bolt on shifting star loosened up and it wasn't on pin just my .02

[katoranger]

Exhaust shield loose or bent during storage?

[bogieboy]

if the clanging is near the kick start, i know my kickstarter is sort of loose, and makes a rattling sound... try holding the kick lever and see if that sound goes away...

[milarepa999]

Well I found that when I roll the bike forward a foot or two when in neutral the noise will stop. Rolling it off this spot will bring back the rattling/noise. Which is inside the back portion of the engine case. Anyone with knowledge of this type of thing or suggestions?

[Weldangrind]

You indicated that you checked the mounting bolts, but have you actually put a wrench on all of the engine mounting bolts to ensure tightness? On one of my China bikes, there are nine engine mount bolts in total.

[milarepa999]

Yes I put a wrench to all the bolts and nuts outside of the bike all perfect, The sound is internal and will stop when the back wheel rotating the chain is turned and positioned at a specific spot.

[Weldangrind]

I recommend that you remove the chain and start the bike. Does the noise go away? Run the engine through the gears with no chain and see if the noise persists.

[zingshoen]

did you get the rattling to stop? another thing to do is an oil change, to see whether there are metal shavings in it.

[milarepa999]

Problem solved,
Kick start idler gear bushing worn out. Not the gear mounted on the kick start shaft but the intermediate gear mounted directly behind the clutch /clutch basket. I have a $8.00 replacement i found on ebay out of a dr125 on the way.
Thank you all for the help and suggestions (currently running around on the bike without a kickstarter, in perfect condition and sounds great, 90 - 105 mpg)!!
Love

[pchitti]

I love cheap easy problems, its those otherones I fear.

[FastDoc]

Well done and thanks for the closure. This may help the next guy very much.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Well done and thanks for the closure. This may help the next guy very much.

X2!

[david3921]

Originally Posted by milarepa999

Problem solved,
Kick start idler gear bushing worn out. Not the gear mounted on the kick start shaft but the intermediate gear mounted directly behind the clutch /clutch basket. I have a $8.00 replacement i found on ebay out of a dr125 on the way.
Thank you all for the help and suggestions (currently running around on the bike without a kickstarter, in perfect condition and sounds great, 90 - 105 mpg)!!
Love

I'm glad you figured it out. I have to question your mpg figures, however. The odometer reads in kilometers rather than miles. You'll have to do a convertion to get true mpg. It should be in the high 60s to mid 70s (just like tomorrows weather here, AFT!). My XF came with the wrong speedo drive. I was able to get true speed and odo readings by installing a bicycle speedometer.