Throttle plates

[OldGT]

I have a 2012 DL650 V-strom, does anyone know how to set the primary and secondary throttle plate link rods.

Just checked the vacuum and the front plate opens before the rear, looks like it has some free play in the ball joints, is this normal?

[kwackboy]

When synching the throttle bodies the vacuum reading should be the same on idle.
When opening the throttle I believe the front butterfly opens momentarily before the rear. 

[OldGT]

I know the old air cooled V twins used to run the rear cylinder on a slightly different fuel ratio due to the heat. But the strom should not need this, the balance is way off once the throttle is opened.
Checked this cos I am getting a lot of con rod noise under load, off load, over run and idle are all smooth and quiet.
My old K6 SV650 at 35K was so quiet it makes this 11K strom sound like it has been to the moon and back.

[Ianmc]

Could you elaborate on “con rod noise” ?,be as technical as you like.

[UK_Vstrom650]

I think you need a SDS tool to set the throttle bodies.

[Mr Nick]

Seems a bit extreme adjusting it with an SDS drill....

[sjrainsford]

I think you need a SDS tool to set the throttle bodies.

Seconded.  You can't adjust and balance the throttle bodies correctly without the software on the Mk2 650.  Not as easy as the Mk1.

[UK_Vstrom650]

  Mr Nick. I've been tempted to use the SDS dril previously!

[OldGT]

I thought the Strom engine suffered from a knocking noise caused by the con rods bouncing off each other, it is like a big end knock but more metallic, I can't ride the bike even short distances without ear plugs as this noise gets on my moobs. 
It is not getting worse and I have very little swarf on the drain bung magnet.
Oh well If I can't fix it, or quieten it down then it is time for another 4 banger.

[Brockett]

  never heard of con rods clashing. More likely the clutch is rattling. Does the noise quieten a bit when you pull the clutch in?

[OldGT]

The noise is consistent with worn big ends, but more tinny. At idle and overrun all is good, as soon as the engine is loaded it starts making this noise.
Dealer told me they all do that.
No power loss, and it hasn't got worse on the positive side.
This started at about the 2K mark and the bike is at 12K now.

[Gert]

Perhaps you should ask, if there is a member on this site who may live nearby you with the same model L2 Glee, so that you can meet up and compare rides / engine sounds?

[TLPower]

How on earth can connecting rods clash? Unless you remove them and drop one on top of the other it just cannot happen.

May I suggest you find a new dealer.

[kwackboy]

At 11k miles I doubt the throttle bodies would need balancing and neither would they be out when you open the throttle unless it's had a real hard life or some butcher has been in there with a large persuader.

The symptoms you are describing remind me of older engines that got a bit "pingy" under load because it didn't like the fuel .

[Rusty Nuts]

Just a thought, do cam chain tensioners ever fail / malfunction on these engines?

[kwackboy]

I've personally never changed one but from memory I think they work on a ratchet system with a tensioned spring.
They can never loosen but the spring can give up and stop tensioning once the chain is a little worn.
They are very reliable though so I doubt this is the issue plus,  the noise would be constant throughout with a higher pitch.

[mr_diver]

My K6 wee ticked like buggery from about 15k.
Never had any engine issues, apart from 4th gear wanting off it's shaft at 60k.

The throttles were balanced around 50k and were so close to perfect it wasn't worth adjusting. The bike had a hard abusive life too.

Never heard of issues with CCT's on the Stroms... on the engine in my Varadero however they are a known issue on early bikes.

On both counts... ride and forget.

[OldGT]

Bottom line  it knocks. Primary throttle flaps open at different times putting throttle bodies out of sync. Not thrashed or raced.
Had a K6 SV650 and this was sweet even after 3 trips down the road on its left side.
Conclusion, going to sort it as best I can and get rid of it for a Bandit 650 or similar.

Thanks for all the feedback.