Grinding noise coming from my ZXR400

[James306]

So today while riding home from uni I noticed a grinding/rattling noise coming from the front nearside of the bike, whenever I initially pulle away, changed down, and I could feel it a little through the clutch also. It almost sounds a bit like chain shake but I'm not 100% sure.

She's a L4, on 40k and no knowledge of wether the timing chain has been changed before so this was already on the to do list ASAP.

This of course with the sound it is making is the first thing to pop to mind, but also thinking it could be the clutch as a possibility.

I'm about to whip the fairing off and see if I can check the timing chain tension (once I've found and downloaded the workshop manual)

Any other thoughts on what this could be?

[StevRS]

If it's the timing chain it'll do it on idle & probably increase with revs.

See whether feeding in the clutch at idle (in neutral) makes a difference and you should have a good idea of which is the culprit.

From memory the TC adjuster can be removed fairly easily (upper back-left of engine IIRC) and lubed/cleaned without dropping the oil or anything that's a PITA whatsoever.
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MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR, Unfinished 1978 XS250

[James306]

So I have removed the tenstioner, checked the condition of the chain which looks to be in good condition visually, no wear or stress marks. Reassembled and reset the tensioner and this has stopped the noise. Obviously new chain and tensioner are still on the list.

It does however still have the vibration when pulling away, although I don't think it's as bad. No noise when pulling or releasing clutch during idle. Chain tension is fine, so will keep riding her gently and see if it improves or gets any worse. Nothing easily noticable otherwise...

[m3-paul]

Front sprocket a bit loose?
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Yamaha TZR250 - love the smell of TTS!!!!
CBR900RR Fireblade - so much fun

[StevRS]

Is the banging at the point of engaging the clutch, in maybe the first 25-50% of slip?
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MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR, Unfinished 1978 XS250

[James306]

After riding her back into uni again today I've noted the noise has come back. It however is now only there is the clutch is not engaged. Pull the clutch and rev and the noise isn't there. I also spoke to one of my lecturers who is pretty knowledgable with bikes and he said his ZX9 had very similar clutch noise and couldn't really hear much out of the ordinary.

I'm still not convinced it's nothing to worry about so I will be keeping a sharp eye and ear on it!

[Symon27]

My zxr 400 has clutch rattle and its been like that as long as i can remember. Nothing to worry about.
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Honda Nsr 125 - Sold
Zxr 400 - Sold
Bandit 600 - Current (Y)

[CaNsA]

Clutch rattle FTW.

If it stops rattling then start to worry

[James306]

Fair enough This makes me a bit happier for my 120 mile ride home this weekend!!

[DrSnoosnoo]

My bike made some new noises when I got a new helmet and kit. Better lack of wind noise and flapping of textiles made me think my bike was due to explode for the first 100 miles. Now I jut think it always sounded like that but I couldn't hear it!
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[James306]

Well covered about 250 miles on her this weekend and the noise hasn't developed any further, so perhaps paranoia had just got the best of me!!

Cheers for all the advice guys!