Slight ringing noise from engine

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Alan L

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Hi all,
It’s amazing what ‘by catch’ you get by reading this forum. In a recent thread on another subject a contributor mentioned a ‘ringy dingy’ noise in relationship to the engines tappets (cam followers).
I have been aware of a ringing noise coming from the motor of my 74 Mk2. I was considering asking about it on this forum but assumed it might be just the cooling fins ringing or similar. Having read about the ‘ringy dingy’ sound I’m sure that we are talking about the same noise. So, what is it, how serious is it and what should i do?
I should also mention that the motor appears to be running perfectly. I believe it was rebuilt shortly before I bought it and came with numerous receipts and a box of used parts including cam followers (nothing looked particularly worn). My desire to strip a motor that is running perfectly is low!
regards and thanks for any advice
Alan
 
Don't over think it, if the bike is running good, these motors can be a bit ringy and if you put a large screw driver to your motor and put your ear to the other end you soon would move away quickly lol and of course each motor is different, just ride your bike and enjoy it, keep up the maintenance and you will get a long life out of it, and give it a pat on the tank when you get home and thank it.

Ashley
 
is ring a ding ding when motor is hot or cold or both? my friend's 78 triumph T140 makes a lot of ring a ding a ling when cold but quiet when hot
 
Thanks for the above reply’s.
It is most noticeable when cold
Could it be a type of piston slap.
Some advice is easier to accept than others. My doctor advises me to lose weight, drink less, exercise more and take up a diet more suited to a three toed sloth. This is not so easy to accept. Ride and enjoy the Norton as long as it is running well is much more palatable council. I will heed it
kind regards
Al
 
Alan L.............what a coinsolence as my middle name is Lee as in Alan L...ee i would say piston slap as ashman sez ride it
 
Alan L said:
Hi all,
It’s amazing what ‘by catch’ you get by reading this forum. In a recent thread on another subject a contributor mentioned a ‘ringy dingy’ noise in relationship to the engines tappets (cam followers).
I have been aware of a ringing noise coming from the motor of my 74 Mk2. I was considering asking about it on this forum but assumed it might be just the cooling fins ringing or similar. Having read about the ‘ringy dingy’ sound I’m sure that we are talking about the same noise. So, what is it, how serious is it and what should i do?
I should also mention that the motor appears to be running perfectly. I believe it was rebuilt shortly before I bought it and came with numerous receipts and a box of used parts including cam followers (nothing looked particularly worn). My desire to strip a motor that is running perfectly is low!
regards and thanks for any advice
Alan
Click to expand...
I had a loose valve guide sound like ringing
Doug
 
You mean that you can single out one particular noise on a Commando engine.... No way for me because mine has too many to pick out only one type.... If it makes lots of noise with no shrapnel you've got a fine one. Look at it as a symphony just for you.
 
I guess inspecting the gauze in the sump plug and cutting open the filter would be the best confirmation that all is well
 
Wasn't there some issue with the rubber (?) rings in the headlight ears between the yokes that can make for a weird ringing sound from vibrations?
 
Exhaust nut locking washer loose, Isolastic front mount, something resonating from under or slightly behind fuel tank making it sound engine related, are just a few items to think about. If you don't have a mechanics Stethoscope, try a couple of feet of 3/4" hose as a substitute. My rear tank strap was occasionally making a bit of a tingling rattle which I swore was coming from the cylinder head area. That was a nice little dragon to finally slaughter...chuckle.
Only a tad messy, but you could remove an exhaust rocker cover one at a time and see if the volume increases.
Best of luck.
 
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I always thought it was the lock washers on the exhaust the rings, they were jiggling around. I then got the bright idea of putting a slight bend in them so when the exhaust was clamped up they would be tight were clamped up. But that wasn’t the problem
Don’t get the wrong idea, if the consensus is leave well alone I‘m totally happy with doing nothing. I was just surprised when I read a contributor mention tappets as a source of ringing. I can’t quite image how that would occur. We have all heard the expression ‘bang like a buggered tappet’, never ring like one ,unless she was wearing jingle bells
 
All Norton's rattle and make strange noises some more than others, if its only doing it when cold its just the oil is thick till it warms up and flows better, all motors are the same when cold and takes a few miles before things warm up, next oil change the drain plug with the magnet will tell you if you have a problem or not, but in your case it just a Norton thing and if its going well then just get out there and ride it, if you worry or go looking for noises you be there for ever, get use to the sounds of your bike and if any newer sound come along then something is not right, as well sounds travel you could be thinking it in one place but could becoming from somewhere else, remember its a push rod motor they all make some noise.

Ashley
 
Mine does not get quiet until around 3500RPM when the exhaust starts to get louder than everything else. Solid mounted engine though, and when I built it, used Nortons were going for $1US per CC, so I beat the heck out of it. My guess is your Norton is quiet by comparison. As advised by other members, ride it. Ear plugs and a full face helmet might help.

You want to hear a ring, get a stock dry clutch Ducati.
 
Schwany said:
You want to hear a ring, get a stock dry clutch Ducati.
Click to expand...
Great Point. With belt drive, my clutch is dry. With a perforated out cover, the ring, singing and pinging is Ducati like and quite frankly, music to my ears.
 
pete.v said:
Great Point. With belt drive, my clutch is dry. With a perforated out cover, the ring, singing and pinging is Ducati like and quite frankly, music to my ears.
Click to expand...
I put a Nichols clutch and flywheel in my Ducati 996S. Dropped over 5lbs of rotating mass, and the alloy clutch was a lot quieter than that steel bell that came with the bike. My P11 has a little ring to it if I listen for it. My Keihin FCRs sound a little like the Nichols clutch, but nowhere near as loud or consistent, since it is vacuum that makes the slides rattle. Can't say any of the noises that come out of my Norton other than the exhaust note is music to my ears. ;)
 
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