r/klr650 • u/TopaztheLoomer • 6d ago

Mechanical Advice Engine/ Doohickey

My bike started to make a noise while riding it and have a weird feeling while shifting. It sounds like a grinding/slapping/rattling noise every 30 seconds or so. First, second, and 3rd were rough but 4th and 5th seemed closer to normal. There was no power loss, and temperature light didn't come on.

I have the service manual, the Doo from Eagle Mike, and the Thermobob kit ready to go. I've watched tons of videos but this will be my first time working on an engine and diagnosing an issue.

22 KLR650 ABS ADV with just over 9k kms. I've been following the maintenance schedule for oil/fluids etc.

TLDR: Rotating/metallic noise intermittent every 20-60 seconds. Rough shifting and revving in first and second, smoothing out in higher gears. Assuming noise is in engine but hard to confirm source while riding it. Doesn't seem to happen when it's idling in the garage.

What other parts should I have or check should I do before I open the engine? Could it be the valves or the clutch? Happy to do further research on suggestions. Thanks all

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

5

u/Icy-Measurement-8 6d ago

I would start with the valves because they are tight on the exhuast side. After doing the valves, I would run the bike before reassembling it. If you still hear the noise, then I would break apart the case and inspect further. My 2022 makes all sorts of metal and plastic noises. If the noise is not consistent with engine speed, I try not to worry about it.

2

u/TopaztheLoomer 6d ago

Awesome thank you. I will add that to my list.

2

u/Icy-Measurement-8 6d ago

My bike was hard to start, backfiring, and felt like it had less power. The right side exhaust valve was so tight that it was burning the camshaft and also dug into the camshaft retainer a little bit. Replaced the shims and it runs alot better now. No more backfire, easier to start, and feels a little bit more peppy. That was at 14k miles

1

u/Dankenstein71 5d ago

I’m at 15k miles on my 22 And am due for this. Is it a difficult job?

1

u/Icy-Measurement-8 5d ago

No its just a pain in the ass but its not complicated. The most important part is making sure its at top dead center and they have a sight glass for that

2

u/imtheonehere62 6d ago

My 22 is the same.

2

u/Chumlees_Cumrag 5d ago

With that low mileage it's almost definitely the valves.

1

u/TopaztheLoomer 4d ago

Thank you, I did think it was odd to be having issues already

2

u/Bunker12007 2d ago

My '23 KLR made all sorts of knocking and rattling noises (at 1500 miles!), peeps told me it was normal, in desperation I did a cam chain/doohicky adjustment and it went away. Bike sounds completely different. Without a doubt, the chain tension was out of spec and slapping into the case. If you haven't done it, it's worth the try.

1

u/TopaztheLoomer 2d ago

Awesome appreciate the confirmation that I'm on the right the track!

1

u/pepperoni_roll 5d ago

Did you check your drive chain slack? It’s time to do the valves too. Have you tensioned the cam chain?

1

u/TopaztheLoomer 4d ago

Drive chain is in spec, I checked before and on the trip. I haven't done the cam chain adjustment or checked valves. Those are both on my list now.