Strange Noise on My '84 V30 Magna

Hey Guys,

I am new to this--joined for the sole reason that I have heard this forum is great for helping with all things mechanical. I have two Honda V4's: one is my baby, a '86 VF500, and the other is an '84 V30 Magna, the latter being the cause of this post. I have roughly put 42K miles on the bike, but it runs and sounds great. Well, that was until last week. I was riding between Cincinnati and Columbus and I began hearing a strange locomotive noise--almost a constant clicking, matching the revolutions of the engine. However, when I finally got into the city, I noticed that this locomotive noise was occurring throughout all gears. There was a clicking-clunking noise that would begin slow, but similarly to a locomotive, slowly increasing as my speed increased. I let the bike sit over the weekend. Today, I took it out today and noticed the noise had resided. I took it out for a bit longer, and noticed that as I was going into a turn, shifting down from fourth through third and into second, and then releasing the clutch and rolling on throttle that as I released the clutch I heard a clunk. The locomotive noise was slight, not as loud as it was when I first started hearing it. Also, as I was pulling into the parking lot to my apartment complex I shifted into first with the clutch still held; I let the rpms drop to about 2000 and then I released the clutch--again I heard the clunking noise.

I'm not too sure what to do. Change the oil? Is there something wrong with the transmission? Clutch? I replaced the slave two years ago.

Let me know what you guys think.

-JE

 

Wow, a question about the Magna, that doesn't pop up often. Is there no Magna forum? Anyway, welcome!

Does it make the sound at a standstill anywhere in the rev range? Or only while riding? This will help isolate the problem as engine vs. transmission/drivetrain. Have you looked at the chain to see if it's hitting anything? Any idea where the sound might be coming from? Does the clutch feel normal?

 

Chain too tight, worn chain, worn sprockets, how often do you oil the chain?

 

I did a chain adjust right before I heard the noise, but the tension is fine. The chain is in good shape; same goes for the sprockets. And I oil the chain a regular basis, based on need.

 

So, before I did a chain adjust two weekends ago, the day I started hearing the sound, occasionally I would hear a metal clanking noise--more high pitched than the clunking noise I am describing, but I would be surprised if they weren't related. The initial clanking noise's location I couldn't figure out. My wife tried helping located it but she couldn't find it either. I thought the chain could be hitting something, but everything seemed clear. The high pitched clanking noise seemed sporadic, and seemed like it was coming from the rear section of the bike. I don't hear it now since I did the chain adjust--all I hear now is the clunking noise.

I would say, now, I hear noise only in rev range--that being the clunking noise, versus the clanking noise. The clanking noise I no longer hear.

The clutch feels normal. Shifting from second to third took a little more foot strength, but that's occasional as well, or perhaps lazy on my part.

 

Binding link on the chain will clunk as you described.

 

I am new at maintenance. My father was a Honda mechanic for awhile and I never acquired his skills or knowledge. Does a binding link require a chain replacement? The sprockets are fine.

 

Absolutely. Always a good idea to change chain & sprockets as a set. Your sprockets may appear to be fine but when compared to new you'll notice a difference. The teeth on the countershaft sprocket tend to get peened over from engine torque. Putting a new chain on worn sprockets will just accelerate wear on a new chain.

 

Will this purchase suffice? Is this everything that I will need as far as parts? Is this something I can do on my own, or should I take it to a shop?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-1985-H...ain-and-Sprocket-Set-Heavy-Duty-/121209317088

 

Before you start replacing parts, you should try to diagnose the problem as best as possible. Otherwise things tend to get expensive and even more frustrating. You mentioned you checked the chain slack... is it possible for it to hit anything at its maximum travel? Also, inspect the entire chain for any binding links.

 

How much slack is in the chain when you and passenger are sitting on it?

 

There is about an 1" to 1.5" of slack.

 

If your bike still has the center stand attached you should be able to duplicate the noise with the bike stationary. Take if for a brief ride to warm things up. Place it on the center stand, fire it up & let it creep along in 1st or 2nd. If it is a binding link you should here a clunking noise typically coming from the counter shaft sprocket area. If it is really bad sometime the noise can be duplicated by spinning the rear wheel by hand. To check the chain by hand you made need to loosen it up to work the links back & forth. Any binding in a link & its time for a new chain/ sprockets.

 

I put the bike on the center stand, after taking it out for a bit, and I noticed that along with the sound, there was a constant bouncing motion as the chain traveled to the counter sprocket. There are some links that look a bit out of line. I guess this means that it's time to change the chain and sprockets.

 

Yep. You'll probably find something that looks like the attached pic. Thats the countershaft sprocket of my Suzuki which had the same exact symptoms/ noise you described. Pretty easy to see the teeth peened over to the right.

 

Finally got the chain and sprockets. Put them on and everything sounds great! Thanks everyone for all of the help!