1986 Kawi Concours - need help diognoising

[Zen Rider]

A buddy of mine picked up a low mileage(13k) 1986 Connie.  After typical adjustments and replacement parts, she running pretty fine.  One issue thou - we're getting a rattle coming from the lower right side of the engine.  Have already adjusted the balancer shaft.  That seemed to help a little  but not much.  The noise is most prevalent under load (bearings  ).  I've "googled" this problem to death, but come up empty (COG & ADV came up with one or two post; but, otherwise, very little info).  So, I'm hoping someone on ST.N might have run across this issue.  

Facts:

Clutch is not the issue nor is the trans as symptoms do not change in gear or with clutch engaged;
noise sounds like a gear rubbing against the side case, but they're no evidence of this; BTW, clutch shows very little wear (pulled the clutch pack apart);
and otherwise, the bike runs well.

BTW:  Also Lookin' for a fuel tank for this puppy.  We bought a used one which was better than the original one, but still seeps a bit.

Thanks is advance    

[tigertom1965]

Cam chain needs to be adjusted. They are all noisy. There were many posts on this on the COG website in the past.
Unless this is the left side of the motor (when sitting on it). Then I would have no clue.

[ConPilot1]

Connies are a tad noisy. 13K miles?? I wouldn't worry about it, just ride it. Bike is still a baby.  

[David Morrow]

The number 3 rod bearing can be weak point on an otherwise great engine. I had mine go although my mileage was quite a bit higher ( in the middle of Death Valley no less.) I'm not much on the diagnosis for that but I recall that when the dealer brought the rev's up, that's when he confirmed the problem to be the bearing.

Also, since it's a 1986, it could be the infamous clutch star spring which is on the lower right. But, that should make itself know with a bit of clutch slip. Make sure that, if it does get replaced, to be sure to get the pair of star springs the were used to update those original ones along with the marginally thinner nut to match. I'm not sure if this was a recall item or not but you need a smart parts person to be sure to get the right parts.

Not all Connies were noisy. I met a lot of Connie owners when I had mine that had really quiet engines but the noisy ones were typically cam chain noise but that's in the top left, not bottom right.

There is also a tensioner in next to the clutch. Mine grenaded a long way from home but it may have been the failed star spring that was the first domino of that little episode.

[Zen Rider]

Also, since it's a 1986, it could be the infamous clutch star spring which is on the lower right. But, that should make itself know with a bit of clutch slip. Make sure that, if it does get replaced, to be sure to get the pair of star springs the were used to update those original ones along with the marginally thinner nut to match. I'm not sure if this was a recall item or not but you need a smart parts person to be sure to get the right parts.

Not all Connies were noisy. I met a lot of Connie owners when I had mine that had really quiet engines but the noisy ones were typically cam chain noise but that's in the top left, not bottom right.

Good Stuff  

Thanks, David  

[fuller1956]

The lower right side of the Connie motors have a chain and tensioner for the starter and alternator....somehow.  It is behind the clutch but I don't know the exact set up in there.  I have not had trouble with mine but I think I have seen some threads on it on the COG site.  Not a common problem but not unknown either.  Good Luck.   John