Hello KLX gurus.

Im getting a metallic rattle from my KLX at around 4-6k RPM. Its most noticable when deaccellerating around 5k RPM. The bike has around 7000 KM on the clock and is pretty much stock except for some intake mods. It has made the noise for about 1-2000 KM. I feel its gotten worse and worse. The bike has always been well-maintained with oil, filters and such.

Does this sound like the dreaded cam-chain tensioner defect?
Do you think it could be something else much more serious?

Is it bad for me to ride around on it like this? If I order the cam-chain tensioner from the USA it might take a few weeks for it to arrive and the bike is my commuting bike.

 

It sounds like the cam chain tensioner to me but can't be absolutely positive without hearing it in person. If you keep riding the bike, it will wear out the cam chain much more quickly. I had to replace mine at about 10,000 miles...way, way too early. The Kreiger manual tensioner fixes this.

 

I will try to upload a video later today. Im not sure that the audio quality will be good enough though, but its worth a shot.

 

Agree with TNC. Cam chain tension adjuster likely at fault.

I wouldn't call it "dreaded." Happens all to frequently. Easy, fairly inexpensive fix. Get one ordered.

 

Okay. I made a youtube video. Should be possible to hear it in this clip. Sound is pretty decent.


What do you think?

 

Sounds like the cam chain.
Beware - internet diagnoses are not guaranteed. You get what you pay for.

 

When it idles you can hear the ticking, when you rev it dk what that clatter is, ive never hear it be that bad before

 

I heard what sounded like the cam chain noise too, but I also heard something that may have been the keys on the key chain too. When you turned off the motor, I heard "tinkling", like a bunch of keys on a key ring.

 

Yes, when I turned off the bike it was the keys making the noise, NOT the bike.

The sound I am refering to is the sound it makes while revving, especially in the area around 5k rpm. Its very noticable at around 04-07 seconds. It seems like you guys are pretty certain its the cam-chain sound?

 

The manuel chain tensioner is good assurance and even if it isnt whats causing the noise, you have been preventative of another problem