929 ticking sound and won't rev out
 

Hi when recently starting my 2001 929 I noticed that there was a ticking/clicking noise coming from the engine. It is hard to tell where it is coming from and it will sometimes go away for awhile or change pitch slightly. I tried revving the engine out and it will not hit the rev limiter like usual, it just hits a certain rpm and will not rev any higher, almost like something is dragging. Also when trying to accelerate quickly there is not nearly the power that there used to be. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks

Unfortunately, without hearing it in person, you can't accurately diagnose anything. Even if you were to take a video of it and post it - it's still not that accurate. It could be something as simple as an exhaust leak to something as serious as a rod knock.

With the issue of it revving, are you sure it's running on all cylinders?

Ok thats what I figured is that it could be a number of different things. I guess I will just have to start up top and work my way down. I am pretty sure it is running on all cylinders but what is the best way to verify this?

Let the bike idle and warm up. When its at operating temperature, spray some water on each header-tube. Your cylinders that are running are going to make the water instantaneously evaporate. If the mist/spray lingers on the down-tube, it's misfiring.


Cylinders that are running will make the pipes being over 400 degrees (F). Misfiring cylinders generally are somewhere around 180-200 (F).




You can also tell it's mis-firing by listening to it. It will make the engine sound significantly different. But if you're not accustomed to it - the water mist method will work

ok i will double check to make sure it is firing on all cylinders and then proceed to check the timing and valve clearances to start with

It is firing on all cylinders and I checked the timing and it is ok too. Didn't get to the valves yet as you are supposed to check them when engine is cold however, I did notice that when revving/blipping the motor sometimes the sound would go away during idle but then come back if I revved/blipped it again. Also in contrast to what I previously said, I could get it hit the rev limiter but still seems slower than usual, almost like something is dragging.

I checked the valves today and they are all within spec. This leads me to believe that the sound is not coming from the top end since the valves and timing check out and I am firing on all cylinders. Unless a piston or ring could somehow produce this noise? What about something in the bottom end flying apart and now there is a piece down there and thats why the sound will start and stop periodically?