rattling/knocking noise

i finally have my cb500 on the road, it is restricted to 33 bhp which may make this worse. but when idling and running at low revs (under 4k) there is a rather loud rattling/knocking noise, is this normal for a cb500/parallel twin? or is my engine eating itself lol
Cheers

Lynx636 wrote:i finally have my cb500 on the road <snip> but when idling and running at low revs (under 4k) there is a rather loud rattling/knocking noise.

Rattling/knocking is never good. For comparison, mine idles quietly, emanating only exhaust noise and a whine which i'd expect to be the generator.
From whereabout does the rattling come? Left side, right side, engine block, top end, exhaust system?

its the engine as far as i can tell, checked all the bolts and the oil, all seems fine

The usual named culprits for knocking noises are either carbs needing balanced or a slightly loose outer clutch basket.

had the carbs blanced about a week ago so it cant be that, ill get the clutch looked at. thanks

Does this stop when you pull the clutch in?

A lot of CB500s have a clutch rattle that stops when you pull the clutch in - it isn't serious (other than the noise) as far as I know.

i will have a check and post back soon

Agreed, if the rattle goes when the clutch is in, you've found your culprit. A final quirk to clinch the diagnosis is if the rattle is less noticeable when the engine is well warmed up (and thus all those parts expanded a bit better). Many of these bikes do it, it's not really a problem.

it is certainly less noticeable when its well warmed up. maybe in worrying about nothing then, still having it looked at this afternoon to be sure

Cam chain tensioner ?