Newbie cruiser owner

[yawning_cat]

Hello all,
Here for Evesham in the UK and am now the proud owner of a 2005 Kymco Cruiser 125cc, im so pleased with it and it came at a really good price, it does need some work to make it perfect, so im hoping you'll all be able to advise.
Firstly there is a really odd and quite loud mettalic type rattle coming from the top of the engine area, it needs more investigation, maybe some of you may have come across it? Also need a front fender and some side panels (just below the seat) as theyre all broken, are there any other parts that will fit of can I find replacements anywhere?
Aside from that I love it, cant wait to get the niggly bits sorted and get out on the road - it will be lovingly named woody.
Great to find a forum, and hope you all can help,
Jeni.

[MaryK]

That is a sharp looking cruiser, but I don't
think that they are sold in the USA.

Ride Safely,

[Whisper]

Congrats on your nice Woody, Jeni.  ...That came out wrong, but I MEAN it!

Anyway - Is the sound coming from outside or inside the engine?  Outside is easy.  Turn it on, get access to the engine and look for something dancing about.  Then tighten whatever bolt is loose.

INSIDE is a different matter.  Is it a 4 cycle or 2 stroke?  2 stroke would have me baffled.  4 cycle is probably a valve that needs adjusting.  That can be anywhere from dead simple to horrendous depending on how much room you have to get your hands in there.

[MaryK]

Sometimes it is difficult to hear where the sounds are coming from. 

You can buy a stethoscope at an auto parts store.  They really help locate the source of the sounds.

Or you can use a piece of garden hose and achieve similar results. 

A friend uses a long screwdriver to touch various componenets while holding the handle up to his ear.

Ride safely,

[yawning_cat]

Thanks so much for the responses, ive been out on my bike a few times now and have really fallen in love with it  The weird rattle has not got any worse or any better - is there some sort of timing chain or anything amongst the 125 engine? The noise it makes can only be described as it sounds like an internal chain rattling against the casing, a few people have listened to it now an have thought it was a timing chain rattle type of noise?
Ive found a few place here in the uk that sell spares, but it all seems soooooooo expensive - i think ill class this bike a a long term resto project !
Oooh and heres a pic of me and 'it'

[TechGuy]

Is your bike a CVT transmission (automatic) or a shifty? 

If it is a CVT, rattling is normal for the rollers.

[yawning_cat]

Phew back a gain .....  its a manual shift. Its not getting any worse, though its loud enough though for people to turn their heads in the street