ANDYVH
New member
I really doubt you could sense it that way. The running clearance on the big end to the crank journal is in the "thousandths of an inch" range, which could only be registered with a dial indicator mounted to the head, and a degree wheel on the crank pulley to register motion of a few degree at Top Dead Center. Even then I think its doubtful to be accurate to assess what may be causing your issue.
I do have to say, that for the miles on your bike, unless it was starved of oil at some time, it should not be making those noises from the big end on the crank journals.
I need to look up an engine detail, because your earlier comment has me confused, "When I run the engine, the very loud and obnoxious chain noise sounds like it is coming from the auxillary drive shaft chain."
Auxiliary drive shaft chain? Do you mean the center chain from the lower crank sprocket to the upper sprocket? Only other chain in the R1100 Oilhead are the cam chains on each side. The early Oilheads had no balancer shaft like the later models. But those shafts all run on plain journals, so as long as the oil wasn't depleted at some time, those journals should last the life of the bike.
I do have to say, that for the miles on your bike, unless it was starved of oil at some time, it should not be making those noises from the big end on the crank journals.
I need to look up an engine detail, because your earlier comment has me confused, "When I run the engine, the very loud and obnoxious chain noise sounds like it is coming from the auxillary drive shaft chain."
Auxiliary drive shaft chain? Do you mean the center chain from the lower crank sprocket to the upper sprocket? Only other chain in the R1100 Oilhead are the cam chains on each side. The early Oilheads had no balancer shaft like the later models. But those shafts all run on plain journals, so as long as the oil wasn't depleted at some time, those journals should last the life of the bike.
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