popping noises?

woodlandsprite · 12-05-2015, 05:40 PM

so...my bike seems to occasionally make popping noises - I think from the exhaust - usually when I am engine braking but sometimes also when shifting. Is this normal??

jbfla · 12-05-2015, 05:51 PM

I noticed the same thing today on my RX3, but only on hard, decelerating, engine braking.

jb

kohburn · 12-05-2015, 07:42 PM

can't speak to the rx3 specifically - but its common to any bike with a pretty free flowing exhaust.

roots · 12-05-2015, 09:43 PM

Mine does it mostly during engine braking, especially on a decline.

pete · 12-05-2015, 11:02 PM

AIS.... "Air Injection System"
lets air into the exhaust pipe to burn
unburnt fuel that enters the pipe on
a trailing throttle...
If theres no AIS most lightly a air leak
in the exhust...

..

Jay In Milpitas · 12-06-2015, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

so...my bike seems to occasionally make popping noises - I think from the exhaust - usually when I am engine braking but sometimes also when shifting. Is this normal??

Very possibly exhaust air leak.

I suggest double checking the nuts that secure the exhaust pipe to the cylinder head (tight, but not "hero" tight) and the clamp that connects the exhaust pipe to the muffler head pipe.

Mine had started the popping between 100-200 miles so I tightened them up (they were all a bit loose), but about 1000 miles later it started again. That's when I remembered that CSC had advised to take off the right rear plastic and check that the two muffler mount bolts are tight. One of mine was VERY loose.

Tightened up both, no problem since.
Hope this helps.

detours · 12-06-2015, 01:12 AM

Good advice on tightening all the bolts. My exhaust used to pop a lot too, but it went away after I tightened up the exhaust header bolts and pipe clamp. I haven't checked the main muffler mount though. I'll have to do that

woodlandsprite · 12-07-2015, 01:16 PM

thanks for the tips - ran out of daylight and time on Sunday to work on the bike - will see if I can't get some time during the week to do a quick check on all the bolts/fittings for the exhaust system. I take it I should be able to trace everything straight from the motor on out to the tailpipe and make sure all the fittings are tight, is that right?

keithmaine · 12-07-2015, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

thanks for the tips - ran out of daylight and time on Sunday to work on the bike - will see if I can't get some time during the week to do a quick check on all the bolts/fittings for the exhaust system. I take it I should be able to trace everything straight from the motor on out to the tailpipe and make sure all the fittings are tight, is that right?

Make sure you warm the bike up prior when tightening the exhaust system bolts. I have found on almost every motorcycle I have owned when new, after a few warming and cooling cycles of the engine the exhaust needed tightening.

SpudRider · 12-07-2015, 02:20 PM

I suggest you apply some red loctite to the muffler bolts.

Jay In Milpitas · 12-07-2015, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

thanks for the tips - ran out of daylight and time on Sunday to work on the bike - will see if I can't get some time during the week to do a quick check on all the bolts/fittings for the exhaust system. I take it I should be able to trace everything straight from the motor on out to the tailpipe and make sure all the fittings are tight, is that right?

Right, Sprite. Almost.

Two nuts where the pipe attaches to the engine, then the clamp the holds the exhaust pipe & muffler pipe together. Those are easy to access.

Then two muffler mount bolts, one is easy to get to, but the other one is a "you can see it and point at it" location, but to tighten it, you have to take the right rear plastic part off, which means you have to take other stuff off to get the plastic off. THAT is the one on mine that I was able to see was backing out.

https://www.cscmotorcycles.com/Articles.asp?ID=268

woodlandsprite · 12-13-2015, 02:26 PM

So....just how does one access the Right Nut (gads that sounds dirty) for the engine & exhaust pipe connection?

The left one was tight, the right one looks like it is one thread looser than the right, but I can't for the life of me seem to get to it - all kinds of things seem to be blocking my access including a bundle of wires, the frame, and the exhaust pipe itself.

as for the muffler mount bolts - the one under the plastics looks tight, but I was just realizing that I was going to take everything off the hind end of the bike to get the plastic off....so I haven't done that yet.

SpudRider · 12-13-2015, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

So....just how does one access the Right Nut (gads that sounds dirty) for the engine & exhaust pipe connection?...

After I stop laughing, I will reply to your questions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

...The left one was tight, the right one looks like it is one thread looser than the right, but I can't for the life of me seem to get to it - all kinds of things seem to be blocking my access including a bundle of wires, the frame, and the exhaust pipe itself...

Approaching from the right side of the bike, under the radiator, I slip a 12 mm wrench over the nut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

...as for the muffler mount bolts - the one under the plastics looks tight, but I was just realizing that I was going to take everything off the hind end of the bike to get the plastic off....so I haven't done that yet.

You don't have to remove everything from the back of the motorcycle. Here is the procedure I recommed.

First, open the right pannier, and remove the 4 bolts which attach the pannier to the rack. Then remove the right pannier.

Next, remove the 5 bolts which hold the right pannier rack to the motorcycle. Remove the only the right pannier rack; leaving the left pannier rack attached to the bike.

Remove the two saddles, and shift the rear plastic cover enough to access the muffler mounting bolt. Apply red loctite, and tighten bolt muffler mounting bolts.

Finally, repeat the above steps in reverse order to reassemble the motorcycle.

Weldangrind · 12-13-2015, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpudRider

After I stop laughing, I will reply to your questions.

I was thinking the same thing.

woodlandsprite · 12-13-2015, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpudRider

After I stop laughing, I will reply to your questions.

Thanks Spud

For some reason I failed to think of using a wrench rather than a socket on that nut *sigh*

Glad I could bring some humor to the forum

Thank you also for the recommendations on accessing those muffler bolts. They are on my list of things to do next. I'm finally at 500 mi on the bike - but poor planning has me stuck with a full tank of gas to burn down before I tackle the valve check :P

12-05-2015, 05:40 PM	#1
woodlandsprite Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 366	popping noises? so...my bike seems to occasionally make popping noises - I think from the exhaust - usually when I am engine braking but sometimes also when shifting. Is this normal??
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12-05-2015, 05:51 PM	#2
jbfla Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: FL, GA, NC Posts: 771	I noticed the same thing today on my RX3, but only on hard, decelerating, engine braking. jb __________________ 2016 Honda CB500F......2017 Triumph Street Twin 2014 XT 250........
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12-05-2015, 09:43 PM	#4
roots Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: San Marcos, CA Posts: 31	Mine does it mostly during engine braking, especially on a decline. __________________ 2015 RX-3 Cyclone (Orange)
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12-05-2015, 11:02 PM	#5
pete Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: ChCh , NZ Posts: 2,261	AIS.... "Air Injection System" lets air into the exhaust pipe to burn unburnt fuel that enters the pipe on a trailing throttle... If theres no AIS most lightly a air leak in the exhust... .. __________________ 09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com
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12-06-2015, 01:12 AM	#7
detours Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,004	Good advice on tightening all the bolts. My exhaust used to pop a lot too, but it went away after I tightened up the exhaust header bolts and pipe clamp. I haven't checked the main muffler mount though. I'll have to do that __________________ Red 5 standing by! 2015 CSC red RX3 with 19" front wheel, Shinko 804/805, skid plate, tall seat, 13T/45T sprockets, progressive shock, Winyoochanok windshield, GENSSI LED headlight, SW-Motech tankbag, Shorai Lithium battery 2014 Ural Patrol
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12-05-2015, 07:42 PM	#3
kohburn Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Coastal NC Posts: 537	can't speak to the rx3 specifically - but its common to any bike with a pretty free flowing exhaust.
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12-07-2015, 01:16 PM	#8
woodlandsprite Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 366	thanks for the tips - ran out of daylight and time on Sunday to work on the bike - will see if I can't get some time during the week to do a quick check on all the bolts/fittings for the exhaust system. I take it I should be able to trace everything straight from the motor on out to the tailpipe and make sure all the fittings are tight, is that right?
	0

12-07-2015, 02:20 PM	#10
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I suggest you apply some red loctite to the muffler bolts. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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12-13-2015, 02:26 PM	#12
woodlandsprite Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 366	So....just how does one access the Right Nut (gads that sounds dirty) for the engine & exhaust pipe connection? The left one was tight, the right one looks like it is one thread looser than the right, but I can't for the life of me seem to get to it - all kinds of things seem to be blocking my access including a bundle of wires, the frame, and the exhaust pipe itself. as for the muffler mount bolts - the one under the plastics looks tight, but I was just realizing that I was going to take everything off the hind end of the bike to get the plastic off....so I haven't done that yet.
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