Weird clicking noise, out of the blue

Today I finally got around to giving my bike a thorough cleaning (S100 and water hose followed by Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish).

On my laps around the block (to warm up the chain for lube) I noticed a very loud clacking/clicking noise that has never been present before. I noticed it slightly when I first started, but just thought that was the minute amount of valve noise I sometimes hear from a cold start, at first thought indicating to me I've pushed the valve interval too long (currently 17777 on the OD, but the number is anything but lucky, :frown: ) but disappears completely once warmed up, this noise does not change in intensity at all in relation to temperature.

The noise was similar to the time one of my pilot jets popped out, but I verified that all my pilots were into the correct number of turns (the current sound is more mechanical sounding than with the missing pilot jet).

The noise varies directly with RPM; there is no delay between an RPM change the noise changing frequency by the same proportion, It is just as audible when first starting as it is when warmed up or hot when in traffic. In gear, in neutral, with the clutch pulled in/out, sound is the same.

I've noticed no change in engine behavior, still responds to throttle the same, idle's behaving properly, from a driving standpoint I get all the same good vibes as before the the noise.

The noise seems to disappear above 7k, but I suspect at that RPM, the sound frequency and exhaust noise just simply make it inaudible.

My only thought is that when hosing the bike off I got water into the cylinders (the design would allow for water to pool in the plug wells, but I replaced the plugs not too long ago and tightened to the correct setting, so the crush washers should have sealed out, not to mention I blew the plug wells with an air compressor before riding). But in the chance that water did get in, I fear that I may have bent a valve or something?

Any suggestions for what I should investigate?

 

Water did not enter through the plug galleys - it has nothing to do with the washing of the bike, and from what i understand, the 500 motors aren't the quietest, even when normal. I believe you can rule out H2O as a problem.

 

It's all good stuka, I was giving it some thought last night and just decided to post it up when I couldn't figure much of what might cause the noise.

I'll have a video posted of my bike running before lights out (AA batteries are really elusive when you need them most).

 

YouTube - '85 VF500F Problem

Anyway, there's the video.

That video was the first time I've started the bike today (dead cold start).

It sounds like SOMETHING really bad happened to the valve train, I think I'm going to avoid attempting this one myself, fixing valve trains is a little beyond me.

 

SORRY, i just heard the video.....your motor is shot! I'm thinking a valve.

IMO you COULD have damaged the engine by your starting technique, as you should run a cold engine slowly not rev it up as you do......


get in there and inspect things after removing the valve covers....turn motor on starter and check noises, chains, cams, valve clearances

REMOVE access cover and turn crankshaft end with a wrench or socket....


TIME now to look for a clean '86/'87 VFR 700

 

sounds like a valve tick. is there any way water can get in the airbox when you washed it? thats the only way i could think water would get in there.

 

I don't believe so, the airbox is tucked pretty far up under the tank and the snorkel points downward. The carb boots were just replaced as well and I no those are sealing properly.

 

I don't normally start it like that, I only did it in the video because the choke isn't behaving right anymore either since yesterday.

As for a new bike. I think I'm actually going to pick up something new off the dealer lot (which wouldn't be for while, if this bike is indeed shot, I'll have to go through riding withdrawals), so I know it's history from start to end and I only have, parts are easier to come by, more support from service centers and no carbs to mess with. I've mentioned it a few times on the board, but I'm thinking about a Yamaha FZ6, a new VFR would be my first choice, but way out of the money range. FZ6 has one of the longest valve maintenance intervals and is very very popular in Europe, so support for it should be available for years to come.

 

Throwing in the towel.



Those droplets, that's water. the pool in the corner next to the phillips head bolt, also water (I tried setting it on fire, doesn't burn). I have no idea how the water managed to get in, the seal on the air box wasn't brittle or malformed, the spark plugs in there are fresh and only installed once.

I'm not sure if this is normal or not, but when I was cranking the motor over, I was looking through the intake at at the intake valves, and saw bubbles gurgling around the valve seats (on all 4 sets).

I sat in my garage thinking about it for a good hour, I think it's time for me to let this bike go. There's obviously some part of the valve train that's damaged; of which parts are impossible to get, the coolant drop off has been increasing in rate..... as much as I LOVE this bike for all that is and has done for me, I'm afraid I can't invest the time or money in the off chance it's salvageable.

I can only hope that the time this had to happen is an omen for future luck.



I'm going to start the parting out tonight, if I try to do it at a later time I don't think I'll have to heart to do it.

From her I hope many other VF500Fs are allowed to continue to serve their riders for thousands of miles more and continue to deliver the same amount of joy and serenity that she brought unto me.

 

I can't see a little water causing that much damage. It made no noise before washing? I'd at least let the dealer have a listen before shooting it. But, just to be safe, I'm never washing my bike again!!!

 

No dealer will touch a 23 year old bike. There's a smaller shop I like that I wouldn't worry about to give my business, but even if the bike was still working I think it might be time for me to plan for eventualities and move on.

This, the fact that the coolant has been dropping off at an ever increasing rate (I've never seen any fall to the floor, so it's probably leaking into my crankcase), the fact that it's overdue for valve adjustment (to which I don't have the tools to do). I only bought the bike as something to learn on for 900 bucks, it's done that and ten fold.

 

I guess I have a good dealer. They don't complain at all even working on old '70's CB's. There is a time to pull the plug, though. But, only 17,000 miles?? I guess the good die young (or old with few miles).

 

Thanks for the offer Jason, I'll let you know. I might need help getting that engine out (service manual seems fairly adamant about it being a two person job).

 

Whoa sorry to hear about your loss. But then again you only spent $900 on it so it's not a really big deal. You could probably make half that back just parting it out.

Oh, and I hear the FZ is an even better babe magnet lol :biggrin: