Ticking=Maintenance on my VF500

Alright....so I'm rolling close to 60,000kms (37,500 Miles) and I'm starting to hear a little noise coming from the motor....just a ticking at idle-mid range. I thought it might be an exhaust leak but with the bike running I can't feel any leaks when I run my hands around the various connections.

Noise seems to be coming from the Front/Right-ish side of the motor.

So I feel I most likely need a Valve adjustment...since it hasn't been done in atleast 20,000kms (13,000 Miles). I'll most likely do this over winter.

With the mileage on my motor....would it be wise to replace the Cam chains and/or tensioners?
Do they require changing ever?

Is there anything I can or should do to help prevent all the valve dropping and upper engine disasters that seem to plague the VF500's?

Please and thanks. :smile:

 

slick50 fixes all problems

 

Why do you keep saying this?

 

Adjusting the valves would be great. I don't know where you can find cam chains/tensioners for the bike to even replace them?

To make sure you don't drop a valve, just make sure the valve lock nuts have been cranked down nice and tight - but not tight enough to strip anything obviously.

 

That's why. It was stupid at first, continued to be stupid, and still IS stupid.

 

A little ticking at idle (and even above idle) on the 500's is normal. It's just a jingling sound really.

Checking the valve clearance is not a bad idea. If you find one that is out of spec by a good amount then you should scrutinize that valve very closely. Often when a valve is on the verge of dropping it will appear like just a valve out of spec. Pay close attention to the condition of the tip of the valve stem. Any damage at all will indicate a problem.

 

I'm lost.

Well that's good to know. It's not very loud and I can't really hear it with the slip-ons I just installed (Unless I get off the bike and kneel next to it on the right side.)

I'll get on checking those valves.

 

<--Beating a Dead Horse. I'm guessing there was a joke about how Slick50 fixes everything (a bad one aparently) and Deepdish refuses to let it die...

-Jake

 

Ahhh...I get it now.