HELP!!!

Hi Damian
Have you checked the usual things like the air filter is clean + dry ,the West coast of Scotland isn't the driest of climates , also try another spark plug I know you replaced it but you may have a Duff one ,also the plug cap . I'd check the tappet clearances as well as if there tight the valves will hold open slightly when the motor is warmed up . BTW have you checked the color of the spark plug you didn't say ? should be a light tan color
It may also be that a South African bikes carb is jetted slightly different to those in the UK some of the American bikes I've worked on over the years(too many to count )have been totally different ( NOT SR's though ,haven't had any experience of those )
I'm Sure one of the SR Guru's will jump in soon with some idea's
Good luck
LURCH
PS mate ,I'll be in touch via email just as soon as I sort this crappy PC sorted out , Crashed again!!!!!!!

Either way mate ,I think I read the bike had a top end overhaul around 1000 mls ago ? a noisy top end does sound worrying ,the valve clearances will settle after a rebuild I'd check them & the cam chain tension also check the oil supply to the rocker box ,just undo the banjo bolt on the rear rocker spindle a couple of turns while the motor is running at a fast idle you should see a good stream of oil from around the joint
I had a noisy top end on my bike & found out that the cam was shot . PO omitted a vital oil seal under the clutch cover
The Good news is the cam runs on roller bearings on this bike & not directly in the light alloy cylinder head so if there is any damage it isn't too expensive to put right ;D
LURCH

HI,

To add to Stew's comment, the early XT/TT engines have plain bearing on the end of the selector drum, but the SR engine have a needle bearing (well all of mine do), which makes the small end bearing on the conrod the only plain bearing in the engine.

As too the rattle / tappet clearance, tight tappets normally don't make much noise, if they are loose your topend can sound like a tin can 1/2 full of marbles being shaken vigerously! My stock SR has had what I thought was a tappet rattle for the last few 1000km, I have adjusted the tappets and camchain serveral without getting rid of the noise and now suspect that it is piston rattle.

CJ

um, ive just realised something.....a hot start button? i thought it was a cold start button.....im guessing were talking about the white button you push up and it opens the throttle a little bit?

i could just bypass the button and kick her over with a bit of throttle then couldnt i?

Damo

return cable? That explains a lot. I dont have one.
I know that funny left hand groping thing well.