1985 ticking time bomb??????? please help

Everyone has used those timers in the kitchen that tick constantly until they go off... or in the movies the bombs that have the time that ticks as it counts down........ well my 1985 VF500F is ticking.... really bad at idle is ticks with the idle then when i get on the gas it really ticks loud and fast. the bike runs smooth and i am CLUELESS so does anyone know why my motor is ticking like this? also i just changed the oil so that is good. but i dont know what else to do or look for...?

 

Does the sound change when the clutch is pulled in?

 

Possibly valve sound of valve rattling. Probably overdue for inspection/adjustment anyway. Could also be cam chain.

Or, if you're unlucky, your bike is suffering from the bad cam/oiling problem that plagued the mid 80s VFs.

But as EVT mentioned, I'd look to see if it's something that changes with/without clutch.

 

when i clutch the ticking is still constant but not as loud.... just like when i start the bike and its idling it ticks and then if you rev it up while its just sitting there it ticks louder and faster as the revs get higher. and as they come down the ticks get slower...... same as when i am driving the ticks follow with the revs or the tach.

 

i didnt think the VF500F suffered from the oiling problem. i thought that was the 700s and the 750s? also how would you inspect or adjust the valves? i am gonna go check out my manual and see whats up too.

 

i just read another thread after searching the forums... i am leaning towards the valves or the cam chain? might be the problem..... lordy lordy i have some shitty luck cause its one thing after another...... but does this seem to be the problem? what do you guys think? And is continuing to ride it with the ticking noise going to cause more of a problem?

GRRRRRRRRRRRRR :frusty:

 

PULL valve covers and check clearances b4 it blows!!

Sell it!!


Why struggle when you can buy a clean '86/'87 VFR 700 for a very reasonable $1500-$2500

 

noises in the valvetrain are in "half speed" relative to the crankshaft, as the cams are rotating 1/2 turn for every one turn of the crank. Get a long screwdriver and put your thumb over the end of the handle so your Knuckle is in line with the center of the screwdriver. Put yer knuckle in yer ear and your screwdriver against various points on the engine (each valve cover, the crank, the clutch cover,etc) It will sound like you are inside your engine. You'll find out where your noise is coming from in a hurry.

 

I'm with squirrelman on this one. Routine valve lash adjustment is probably the best you could hope for. My 85 VF500F made very similar noise. Upon inspection, I found an exhaust valve stem tip on the front cylinder bank had become "smushed". Lucky I caught it then as the keepers were about ready to come undone, which would have made a REAL mess. The only fix was to remove the head and replace the valve...which I was able to do myself. But if you had to pay shop time for something like that, probably not worth it unleses the bike was in exceptional condition otherwise.

 

thanx for the info. and as sad as it makes me i am 95% sure i am going to just sell it. :frown: I love this bike and it is my first bike but with the sound of the motor making a person shreek i dont want to blow it up. I rode it to school today and that was a big mistake. the sound is getting louder and sounds worse. and wow did my tempurature BLAST TO THE HOTTEST POINT ON THE TEMPURATURE GAUGE!!!!!!!!!!! WTF...

but anyways i do not want to waste the money to fix it because i cannot do it myself and hate to deal with a shop... again. so who knows....

the bike COSMETICALLY is absolutely amazing for being 23 years old.
the motor is having major issues. so thats the toss up of why it is going to be hard to let go. oh well. maybe i can get a newer VFR :biggrin:

 

Pull the motor and install a known good motor from a crashed bike. Who would buy it when its making all that clatter???

 

this is true which was one of my concerns for selling it. the worry that i am going to get raped on a price. I dont know right now I really just dont know...

 

Be very careful with buying another motor. I have a CB1000 and I had to replace the motor. I was told that I had thirty days to get the motor in the bike and if the was any problems I could send it back. Unfortunately the motor was in bad if not worse shape than my original. They did not back their statement. And I ended up $1200 down the drain. Bike is sitting in a barn covered. It is a shame it is in really good. Good Luck with your bike. If anyone is interested in a project bike, I have one with 2 engines.

 

Where is the bike with 2 engines? I'm in TN also. Sounds like a project to me!!!

 

I'm in Knoxville

 

STOP!!!!!!!

That noise is totally common, all them do it (500's). And yes, the 500's also had the oiling problem as well, but that's a much more pronounced sound. The biggest issue with the 500's is dropped valves due to valve springs that get weak over time and allow valve float to occur. Replacing the valve springs is the only fix for that.

 

I'll tell you what!!! thanx. lol. I am having a major issue of finding someone to help me fix this however. No one will touch it due to age (dealers) and dreyer honda south said they would do the work but they are going to CHARGE MUCHO DINERO $$$$. Jamie I know you are located very close to me is this something you would be interested in for some side money? if not its cool just thought I'd ask.

 

Maybe I can help you out. The actual problem really depends on the actual definition of "loud". All 500's make ticking sounds that are noticeable when riding. I would need to hear it myself to know for sure if it's something to worry about or not.