My '82 GS 1100EZ has 37,000 miles on it. I Bought it May of 2001 with 21,000 miles from the original owner. Bike has run great entire time.
It developed a pronounced whirring / grinding / rubbing sound in the engine which is constant with RPM's, whether in gear or not, clutch engaged or not, moving or not. It is not a valve click or a knock. At first the sound was intermittant, now its constant. Other than this noise, the bike runs fine.
I've isolated the clutch, its not the source of the noise. Head is off, and I am looking around.
I noticed the cam chain guide at the front of the engine (the straight one) has 1/16" raised groove down the middle.
The rear curved guide at the back of the engine (that the cam tensioner pushes against) barely has a raised groove at all. It also appears to have two sets of recessed grooves on each side, as if the chain may be running to one side or the other. Looks worn compared to the straight guide.
1) Could this apparently worn guide explain my noise? I cannot see any areas where the chain may have been rubbing against anything. The curved guide appears to be closer to the left side of the chain bay when at its normal position. It also has play from left to right when pivoted more towards the front of the engine. Is it possible that the chain may not be rubbing against anything metal but that the guide is against the side of the chain bay, transmitting the noise in that manner?
2) Is the rear curved guide supposed to have the same amount of raised groove as the straight guide to the front of the engine?
3) The rear curved guide has flat pads on either side which would appear to be for the purpose of keeping it rather fixed when in its normal position. Is it supposed to have any left to right play when tilted forward?
4) If I replace the rear curved chain guide, what's the best way to get the cylinder block broken free to remove it to get at the guide mounting bolt? The factory manual shows a splitter tool, but I don't have one.
5) Also wondering if the 'automatic' chain tensioner wasn't doing its job to cause this???
Appreciate any help or advise you've got.
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