Exhaust smoke, tapping noise, compression test

[Joe Garfield]

Here's another video - the sound I thought was Cam Walk is back. Is this it? This was about a few blocks ride after starting up after work. I heard this and did some more high-rev riding and this sound stopped, but the other higher pitched, steady sound remains.

https://youtu.be/GZtAZZVCpxs

[jsandidge]

That is cam walk for sure. Sounds just like mine.

[Joe Garfield]

I'm in the middle of a top-end refresh and found that my cam chain tensioner was missing the 'lock bolt' which holds the tension knob down against the spring. I believe this means the adjuster was free to slide back. I have a suspicion that was the noise I was hearing, since I hadn't heard any cam walk or anything like it for a few thousand miles beforehand. Only time will tell I guess - hopefully it won't be too long before I get it back on the road.

If I feel like I have extra time, I'll look at the cam walk threads and see if I can identify any movement or worn parts.

[2BRacing]

I bought my 850 new in 1981 and it has been making that cam walk noise for many years without getting any louder. Performance is not affected at all and she now has 45 000 km on the clock.

After I learned here on GSR what the noise was, I do not worry about it any more.

[Tom R]

The tensioner bolt shouldn't be tight against the tensioner rod if it's the automatic type like other suzuki's I've seen. The only time you screw it in tight is when removing and installing the tensioner. After you install it, you back it out a half turn and secure it with the lock bolt.

[Joe Garfield]

The tensioner bolt shouldn't be tight against the tensioner rod if it's the automatic type like other suzuki's I've seen. The only time you screw it in tight is when removing and installing the tensioner. After you install it, you back it out a half turn and secure it with the lock bolt.

I meant the nut that holds the tensioner knob and spring on.