Slight ringing noise from engine

[Beemer]

The crappy pushrods do the ring a ring ding. If it bothers you get a Honda. That’s what we all did in the late 70s

 

[Richard Tool]

If it bothers you get a Honda.

ouch ! ( I have two of them )

 

[SteveA]

The crappy pushrods do the ring a ring ding. If it bothers you get a Honda. That’s what we all did in the late 70s

So.....why are you here?

 

[Danno]

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

I think it's the valves hitting the seats. Since lead was removed from fuel, there's nothing there to absorb the impact. Take a bare head, slip an exhaust valve into the guide and pop it down onto it's seat. You'll hear it ring like a bell.

 

[HoveToo]

If you have an old Norvil floating disc, a worn toothed aluminium mounting will rattle at idle. Also agree with the headlamp ears o ring failure. I've had both and nothing else rattles as loudly as these items.

 

[maylar]

The only noises I get are exhaust and intake. Rattles sometimes show up if an exhaust nut comes loose but everything else is insignificant. Ringing from head fins or push rods is actually music to me. It's a big British twin and they make those sounds.

 

[jbruney]

I only notice that mine sounds like a running Commando.

 

[MichaelB]

Freshly built Combat, Cast pistons, stock aluminum push rods, non stock headlight ears.
No ringing. Actually sounds very nice, crisp and clean.

High Mileage 850, innards unknown, Stock headlight ears (new O rings and tight)
Ringing

Valves, Iso's etc adjusted to spec on both.

Only conclusion at this point is, don't think it's push rods or fin harmonics.
But then again, who knows....
The quest continues.....

BTW, don't remember ringing 45 yrs ago on my 73 850.

 

[Alan L]

I think it's the valves hitting the seats. Since lead was removed from fuel, there's nothing there to absorb the impact. Take a bare head, slip an exhaust valve into the guide and pop it down onto it's seat. You'll hear it ring like a bell.

Yes, now you mention it, the sound is similar to valves hitting seats
al