Noisy engine

Before I bought my 94’ S3 this winter I had read lots of old topics here so I wasn’t surprised about the noisy engine.Below are some key phrases I had copied.Had I not read the posts I would have thought to rip into the lower engine or replace the cam chain along with the chain guides or have a look at the clutch area.Doesn’t bother me at all,besides just fallen in love with the music coming from the exhaust on finally my first ride tonight.Was scared the bike would be too Jap compared to the old 68 Bonnie I had.She is smooth but has plenty of character,a keeper!
My question is-- what makes the engine sound like a Volks diesel Jetta?Are the newer ones quieter?

From old posts:
--There seems to be a rattle from the clutch area. Do they all do this?
--Mine sounds like a wash machine full of nickels at idle. You'll get used to it.
--I heard different things but I am told that there is a certain amount of cam chain noise associated with the Speed Triple. Any truth to that. Is this something to worry about?
--All the Triumph Triples rattle and wail form the cam area and other places, if you want a bike that is as quiet as some of the Japanese machines you will be disappointed.

Paulo

Before I bought my 94’ S3 this winter I had read lots of old topics here so I wasn’t surprised about the noisy engine.Below are some key phrases I had copied.Had I not read the posts I would have thought to rip into the lower engine or replace the cam chain along with the chain guides or have a look at the clutch area.Doesn’t bother me at all,besides just fallen in love with the music coming from the exhaust on finally my first ride tonight.Was scared the bike would be too Jap compared to the old 68 Bonnie I had.She is smooth but has plenty of character,a keeper!
My question is-- what makes the engine sound like a Volks diesel Jetta?Are the newer ones quieter?

From old posts:
--There seems to be a rattle from the clutch area. Do they all do this?
--Mine sounds like a wash machine full of nickels at idle. You'll get used to it.
--I heard different things but I am told that there is a certain amount of cam chain noise associated with the Speed Triple. Any truth to that. Is this something to worry about?
--All the Triumph Triples rattle and wail form the cam area and other places, if you want a bike that is as quiet as some of the Japanese machines you will be disappointed.

Paulo

[TM]

My previous bike was a Triumph Tiger 900 -98, and it was louder than my new SpeedTriple 1050. There was more rattling and other sounds with the Tiger 900, especially at lower temperatures (cold engine). I got used to the sound and never experienced any engine-trouble whatsoever.

[TM]

My previous bike was a Triumph Tiger 900 -98, and it was louder than my new SpeedTriple 1050. There was more rattling and other sounds with the Tiger 900, especially at lower temperatures (cold engine). I got used to the sound and never experienced any engine-trouble whatsoever.

[bikeordie]

hey, not to take away from your thread, but when i'm in neutral on my 05 S3 and i let the clutch lever out, i get this strange vibratory noise... any one else experience?

[bikeordie]

hey, not to take away from your thread, but when i'm in neutral on my 05 S3 and i let the clutch lever out, i get this strange vibratory noise... any one else experience?

[trypcil]

Does she make any 'orrible noises occassionally when starting? - if so that rattle is sprag clutch related - could be a boltloose/sheared at either end of Alternator spindle - ouch! :hammer:

No,doesn't sound like the sprag from what I read it's pretty noisy when it goes.The alternator area sounds fine too.Just noisy in general compared to other bikes I've had.It's more the clutch area and cam chain area.Heard they were like this and just curious why.
The member who wrote" --Mine sounds like a wash machine full of nickels at idle. You'll get used to it."described it best and funny too.

[PeteMcB]

On 2005-04-30 03:04, bikeordie wrote:
hey, not to take away from your thread, but when i'm in neutral on my 05 S3 and i let the clutch lever out, i get this strange vibratory noise... any one else experience?

I think that is standard, my 02 RS does that as well, though I only ever really notice it just after starting the bike.

[trypcil]

Sometimes the bolts on the ends of the Alternator spindle come loose or shear, this will not give the sprag crunching on starting but will give a clatter. One of these bolts could have gone south - the clutch side bolt can been seen when removing the clutch cover and will be self evident in it's looseness - if you do your own oil changes and can get a new clutch case gasket, it is an easy check, perhaps not so easy to remedy - but nowt too hard. The bolt on the alternator side is a different matter and it is worthwhile getting an Alternator 'o'ring if your going to inspect it. It holds the impellor assembly to the spindle. Another thing you might try is to see if you vin # coincides with Triumphs retro fit. All labour and parts are free - try Peter Carleo in Triumph Atlanta or your dealer 1st. This was an issue with the early Trumpets. Yes they do as engines make a noise but a specific clattering is not normal.
Cam chain wear is not an issue but some of the cam chain auto adjusters have been know to fail. You workshop manual will have some info on that. Yeehaaa! :hammer: :-D