Hitchcocks Forum

I have a 1966 interceptor custom 0.10 overbore fresh mag and carb. Runs great. 2 months ago it started a half-time knock, loudest at the rocker shaft oil banjos. I have run the engine with the primary cover removed and the knock is not the primary chain tensioner foot. Been through the valve adjustment twice, springs on sides of rocker arms are intact. Pulling a plug wire does not change the noise. What DOES change the noise is leaning the machine to the right (noise DISAPPEARS). returns in upright orientation, LOUDEST while on sidestand (Thus the conondrum). I have had to disassemble the machine in the past to discover what creepy problem was designed in that other M/C's do not have.Would appreciate it if someone has solved this one before.........

It sounds like an oil-starvation problem, if leaning it over might cause the oil to flow to the area that makes the noise , so making it quiet. Might be a blockage somewhere. Try synthetic oil, it will normally make any engine quieter, but you will have to watch it, as synthetic oil will loosen any crud and clean around gummed-up oil seals causing them to leak.

Thanks for the suggestion. The clue has to be the lean angle making the noise go away. I wont do the synthetic though, these engines return oil to the pump through small passages that pass through the split in the crankcase. Once those plug up you have to split the cases. RE cured this on the Series 2 by eliminating the return pump and just letting the oil fall into the deepened sump area. Gravity what a concept! I see the new RE interceptors are horizontally split.....

Synthetic oil will clean out any blocked oilways; but if you don`t want to do that, try Penrite flushing oil for the recommended time then drain it.

Hi, check that sprocket nut has not come loose and the crank is floating back and forth, if its more of a rattle, check timing chain. Vince

got no end float at crank noise is loudest at rocker shafts (with stethoscope) sounds like a 1/2 time knock will check timing side cam endfloat and chain next. If that doesnt do it the heads are coming off for disassembly and inspection. The Cross sealing rings make that a cheap exercise!

Latest update removed timing cover slight endfloat on exhaust cam tightened sprocket slight reduction in noise, but still there. Probably pull heads next.

Rode the bike for 20 miles and noise has all but disappeared. Leon, you called it. The Cams run in a trough filled with oil (the cheap English bikes did not do this and had cam problems (especially ones that began with a T) With the bike on the side stand the right hand side of the trough goes dry, and the excessive exhaust cam end float was banging against the thrust faces in the right side case. Leaning the bike to the right filled the space with oil. Now that I have tightened the sprocket up properly, I can now ride it to the Hells' Canyon Rally in July (Baker City Oregon, Deepest Canyon in North America) See you there!