Engine noise and vibration on my newly acquired RD500LC

Isn't the overrun vibration normal, and due to the timing of the cranks?, you can use the front or rear crank for balance shaft timing, sorry can't remember what standard is, but it can alleviate this trait, saying that, doubt you should feel more than a tingle. Is it twice as bad as a 350?

The last one I heard at tickover sounded ok to me, what do you mean 'bag of nails' I'd be worried if any of my bikes sounded like that

I'm no expert on the 500 having only owned one for a couple of months years ago but i'd be taking it back to the dealers

There's no way it should sound "like a bag of nails" you may well have paid top dollar for a machine that needs a fortune spending on it by the sound of it.

Hi
as above, make sure all gear timings are correct, I rebuilt mine a couple years ago and took photos of gears before rebuilding to make sure!
I dont get any bad vibrations through pegs on my bike and it certainly doesnt sound like a bag of nails on tickover However you must be certain that the carbs are all synchronised and set up correctly else the cylinders can "fight" each other and cause tickover noises but once set up should sound sweet, dont take their word for it that they all sound like a bag of nails cos they dont!

cheers

Mine is quite noisy at tickover.if the noise is from rhs then its the clutch and is normal.It shouldnt be dry clutch noisy but there is a definite low rattle.It has been mentioned many times on the 500 forum as has the roughness on the over run which mine does with aplomb.I remember worrying about these 2 issues ten years ago when I first bought bike.Mine has been fully rebuilt with new cranks pistons etc and sounds very same as when I first got it.About 6 years ago the roughness on over run seemed to get worse but turned out to be ht caps breaking down and exasperating existing condition.Still for your own peace of mind it would be nice to a hear another 500 running beside your own.

Grumbling noise could be big ends, get it back to the dealer mate before it possibly costs you money.

I would like to thank everyone for their comments, many of which were very informative and most useful.

I spent a morning off work removing the fairing and having a good inspection.

I tuned the carbs with an air flow meter and found them to be out quite considerably.

Then I done a compression check which revealed 110 PSI for two of the cylinders and 108 PSI for the other two.

I took the bike to Bob Farnham Tuning based in Sevenoaks Kent, who was most informative and helpful. His initial impression was, that for a 30 year old bike in original condition, everything seemed in good order. He was happy with the engine note and the various gear noises (which was a relief).

The bike has had 5 previous owners but unfortunately the history folder is a little light with no documentation of any engine rebuild etc etc. I will make contact with the previous owners to see if any more information can be uncovered on the bike.

However, as the bike is a “keeper” I will probably commission Bob to undertake a full engine rebuild for me over the winter months which will give me peace of mind.

Alex