Clunking noise

[Draxxis]

I got a used Voyager a couple of months ago. And the noise has always been there.

When I got it inspected, the garage said it sounds like a cam chain needs to be adjusted or replaced.

I did some investigating (I am no mechanic) and the sound seems to be coming from the alternator. When I take the chrome cover off, and I put my hand on the alternator, I can feel it vibrate every time it makes the clunking sound. It's more noticeable when it's sitting idle. I do hear it now and then when going down the road, usually when I am in a higher gear and the RPM's are a little lower.

My question is has anybody had this similar sound happen to them, and did it end up being the alternator or was it something more severe? If it is just the alternator, that is easy for me to replace here. But I also don't want to fork out too much money up front to find out that it probably is not the issue.

I know replacing the alternator is cheaper than having them completely pull the motor out and work on the cam chain. I was quoted a rough price of $550 for them to check the cam chain and replace if necessary. And I know that I can get an alternator for under $200. But like I said, I don't want to spend the $200 if it's going to actually be something different.

[Coastvoyager]

Not sure about the Voyagers, buy typically a unit alternator is driven off another source within the engine. There is also a rubber coupler that can wear out and make noise. Triumphs are notorious for this. They refer to is the dreaded Dreaded Alternator Rattle AKA, DAR syndrome.Find a parts breakdown and see if your specific bike uses one of these. If so all it takes is pulling the alt and replacing the coupler or spider as there also known.

[chevyman1]

I see you have a 1986 voyager, I's a good possibility that it's the starter chain.
The starter and alt. are run off that chain.
what is the # is on the Igniter if it's 1179 it's the original, that Igniter is known to brake the starter chain,you want to replace it with #1248.
Bad news is it's possibly to late, If it's the chain clunking it's probably already started to brake.
worse news is that's a major tare down and will not be cheep.
I would get a hold of Carl Leo and ask him what he thinks before I do anything.

[jek7galo]

I have the same problem and I hold it on clutch to not appears . What i need change on bike to remove it?