The 101 Association, Inc.
For the preservation and enjoyment of 1928 to 1931 Indian Scout Motocycles
"You can't wear out an Indian Scout"
 

Cam case noises

  • 22 Aug 2026 5:05 PM
    Message # 13672405

    Just finished the restoration of my  '30 101.  Starts and runs great, but it is a bit noisy (in my opinion).  I first thought it was valve noise.  Checked the clearance on the tappets and everything was in spec.  Decided to use a mechanics stethoscope to see if I could pinpoint where the noise was coming from.  Started at the top of the motor and worked my way down.  Everything sounded smooth (including the valves).  When I got down to the cam case cover the noise got louder.  As I dragged the stethoscope across the cam cover I definitely heard the "chatter", for lack of a better word.  Seemed loudest at the end of the cam case where the magneto gear is.  This is the first 101 I have owned so I really don't know if this is normal or not.  Any ideas?

    Last modified: 22 Aug 2026 5:45 PM | Bill Erickson
  • 23 Aug 2026 8:47 AM
    Reply # 13672739 on 13672405

    Did you check out closely the rollers on the lifters during assembly? I am losing my hearing as I grow older, and the noises don't bother me as much these days.

  • 23 Aug 2026 6:18 PM
    Reply # 13672947 on 13672405

    It has been so long since I put the motor together I don't recall whether I did or didn't with respect to the rollers.

  • 23 Aug 2026 8:37 PM
    Reply # 13672991 on 13672405

    Did you listen to the magneto, too?  My NS2 has a bad noise in it, I also used a stethoscope and thought it was coming from the timing case, but once I touched the stethoscope to the magneto it was the same noise but much, much louder.

  • 24 Aug 2026 1:26 PM
    Reply # 13673427 on 13672405

    Thanks Harry.  I did probe around a bit more with the stethoscope.  While I do hear some noise in the magneto, the noise seems to be loudest on the right side of the cam case where the magneto gear sits.

    Last modified: 25 Aug 2026 6:37 AM | Bill Erickson
  • 28 Aug 2026 10:54 AM
    Reply # 13676437 on 13672405

    Bill, chasing a noise myself and an easy check is to make certain your magneto mounting bolts are still tight, because if the mag moved at all the gear lash may have changed.  I also doubled up the thin paper gaskets for the timing case cover, thinking that relieving the end clearance on the idler gears might quiet things down.  



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