We all have this problem... its the valve train making a chatter. Some think its the bearings which hold the cam in place, others like myself think its the little roller's which are on pins. Those pins bend slightly and as the roller attempts to roll, the clearance changes and that causes the chatter.

Either way, almost every single Duke I've seen in person or on youtube makes the valve chatter. I think most people ignore it, I for sure do.

 

Yes I use the analogy of a cement mixer full of bolts
They rattle and tap and clink a lot, tip tap and so on - some bikes a little more than others - pretty normal.

 

So Comrades, what's the best possible solution?

 

Loud can and try to ignore it

 

This
DNA filter also helps a bunch. More grunt, and dat intake sound )

 

Pls throw more light on the DNA filter for me.

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Owlie lies. It won't fix a noisy engine.

But it will give you more access to low end power.

And it sounds choice.

 

It fixes it by making it not audible because of other sounds being louder

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mine had 28,000km when the dealer suspected a loose primary nut, that was found OK, checking further they found both my rocker arm rollers were about to let go.
I thought the noise was "normal", glad the dealer found it and after replacing the rockers I can actually hear the exhaust over the engine now...I'd get yours looked at, could be nothing (like I thought)...

 

Ear plugs. Everything is reduced to a charming thrum.

 

LOL
I rode with the DB killer removed in the Akra, and earplugs on the long ride, still sounded like a bevel driven engine
If it were a GoldWing you could turn the Volume up !!

 

mine had 28,000km when the dealer suspected a loose primary nut, that was found OK, checking further they found both my rocker arm rollers were about to let go...................................................

Interesting!

I think I've read that it's not a bad idea to replace the rockers at 15,000-20,000km as a precautionary measure ....I don't think the rockers are that expensive $75 each?

 

A friend had a similar noise with his 2007 SM690, he changed the piston and the noise vanished. What cld that possibly mean?

 

What could that possibly mean?

He probably had one of those noisy pistons before. Better spend the money in the first place and get the better quality quiet pistons.

 

@Boldor, the noise wasn't there when he bought the bike, it came in at a point.

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I was being a dick Ronnie. Quiet pistons? Where do I get some of them.

I suggest (seriously this time) that by replacing the piston, ol' Mate incidentally fixed another problem like properly tensioned the cam chain on reassembly - something like that.

 

Yea, there are two noises... one comes from a loose cam chain and the other comes from some worn parts in the valve train.

The loose cam chain noise comes from the left side of the engine and its a grumble, rather then a high-pitched rattle. It literally sounds as if your bike is going to blow up or throw a rod.

 

"other comes from some worn parts in the valve train"

So do you think they are just coming out the factory with poor tolerances then? I can list 5 bikes that are all noisy. Mine has been noisy since new, as is my mates with 400 miles on it and the dealers demo sounds just the same. I had a 2007 690 (I know engine not exactly the same) and a 2009 Duke 3 and they were just as noisy. It does seem a trait to be a particularly ticky, tappy, rattly engine to me. Of course there will be some bikes with engine problems as well but it seems this engine is a noisy engine from new anyway besides what faults may develop later on.

 

Sadly, I don't think they are suppose to rattle. It's for sure not a good sound and it's my biggest problem with the duke. I use my duke as a daily ride so it's hard to dismantle it enough to replace the parts and risk the bike not running come Monday. But I do plan on replacing a few parts and seeing what happens.

 

Subscribed someone replace something!

 

Parts are on the way!

I ordered everything, the rocker assemblies, the rocker pins AND the cam bearings.

Can't wait to see if it fixes the issue!

 

Let's hope. You should do a little write up for us DIY'ers!

 

I am watching too Tye.

 

:stupid:

(10 chars)

 

Hmmmmm. Fingers crossed.

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I will gladly shoot a video of the process.

Ohh, did I mention the part numbers for the rocker arms and pins had been updated considerably? That proves they were an issue! The cam bearings were the same part numbers... Hmm...

Again, I hate that rocker arm situation, its the biggest issue with the motor so thats why I'm betting they are the problem.

 

Awesome thanks tye!

Hmm well if this works and provide evidence via your a new video you make after installing those pieces and we all write a letter and complain to ktm I wonder if we could get a recall going?

 

Another big thumbs up from me tye be very keen to see your write up as I would like to keep this bike and if this sorts it out I will want to do this job too

Would you mind listing the parts we would need with the numbers?

 

A quick search is showing that they have upgraded only the exhaust rocker arm. Some places ie. ktmtwins is still listing the older number and, I might add, charging $18 more for it, too. I'm seeing the rockers for $63.56 from powersportswarehouse.com.

BTW, ktmtwins is also listing the older exhaust rocker # for the Duke 4, too.

Old: 750036061044
new: 750036061144

Does that agree with what you found, Tye? And by rocker arm pins, do you mean the rocker arm shafts?