We just returned from trail riding today and I had to tow my 2000 Scrambler 500 back to the trailer. We had been riding about an hour and I had pulled to the side of a trail with the engine idling. Suddenly the engine sounded like a nut was thrown in and it was bouncing around the metal case. I shut it off immediatley and looked all over the engine but did not see anything obvious. I started it again and it started easily and idled smooth for about 10 seconds. Then the loud pinging of metal started again.

I am back home and have got the front plastic and gas tank off. I am planning to remove the valve cover to see if anything has happened with one of the rocker arms. But, I want to see if anyone has any better ideas before I dig into the engine. since it sound like a nut bouncing around freely, I would not think it is anything in the bottom end. Maybe I should look at the recoil starter and see if somehting fell into their.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Take your belt cover off and check the front clutch.If you have to take the clutch off and start the motor.You could have bad clutch buttons inthe primary clutch.It will sound just like a rod knock.

 

Thanks for the suggestion ftwflh
I just came back in after removing the recoil starter. The center bolt and ratchet pawl were loose. I set the ratchet onto the coil spring and installed the bolt, tightened it up and no more noise. I pretty much knew once the recoil starter was off due to the dings and shinny metal on the rusted flywheel where something had hit it several times.

I think the clutch is OK, since I replaced the belt about 3 weeks ago and inspected the springs and all.

Thanks for the quick suggestion.