New noise up front

[Sledge Hammer]

I've been noticing a relatively new noise with my Magna. I cannot remember whether I detected it when I was riding it over to my folks house to take all the plastics and chrome off to get it ready for its end-to-end alignment, but since getting it back together, I have certainly been aware of it. As best I can describe it, the noise sounds like a cricket that never takes a break, only with a metallic sound. Think RoboCricket. Or even a relay buzzing its contacts, but not a ping like valvetrain noise.

A few possibilities came to mind, such as the legendary cam chain tensioner problem, timing chain, or even an exhaust leak around the front headers (had to remove the exhaust for the alignment but replaced the crushable gaskets with new and torqued the nuts to 9 lbs-ft.

I am inclined to think the timing chain should not be an issue since the bike has just over 8000 miles on it.

I am not sure what an exhaust leak up front would sound like, but this is something I can hear while riding but not in the driveway.

That leaves the can chain tensioner. It looks like a cake job to replace it if you have the tool or can make one. My big question if it is the cam chain tensioner is whether or not I need to park the bike right now and fix it or whether this is something than can go a few hundred miles without doing serious damage.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[hootmon]

I'm guessing by your description the bike does NOT have to be moving to hear the noise.. IF it was only when Rolling I would guess a bad Speedo Cable.. Otherwise, you may be on the right track.

[silveradocowboy]

I second the speedo cable

[Sledge Hammer]

Hoot, I only notice it when rolling. I had not even thought of the speedometer cable as a possible culprit. The needle doesn't seem to bounce, but they did have to disconnect it at the shop to do the work. Maybe something wasn't hooked back up just right. It's certainly something to check out. Thanks.

[Lurkin]

Might be the brake pads too.

[Sledge Hammer]

I managed to catch the sound again today while in slow speed traffic. By alternating between first gear and neutral, I was able to hear it again and to determine it is independent of road speed but very definitely dependent on engine speed, which rules out the speedometer cable, the drive chain, and anything rattling around in the headlight nacelle due to air turbulence. Seems to make a cam chain tensioner a bigger suspect. Now, assuming that is correct, time for me to dig back through old posts to see what you characters did to get around buying Honda's specialty cam chain tool.