85 vf500f tapping???

It just started this last weekend its just tapping I thought it was low on oil and checked it but it was a half quart low. I added it and have been babying it around at low rpms. but I think its just the front quite possibly the cam chain????? I hope its not the end of her.

 

How bad? Is it a tapping or a clicking? Does it go away above a certain rpm?

These might seem like weird questions, but it's helpful to know more precisely what's going on. All 500's make a little rattling/clicking sound which is not a problem. It goes away above 2000rpm or so. If it's a knocking sound that gets worse as the revs increase, that's another story all together.

 

doesn't do it at idle at all, but it does it all the way up, but there is no power loss at all though, starts right up every time,

 

oh ya idle is at 1300 - 1400 rpm

 

Ok, so not at idle... when does it start making noise? Can you be more specific as to the nature of the sound? We can't be there to listen to it (Youtube movies don't help much, from what I've seen) so the best thing is to help us understand what it's doing. That way we can point to possible cause(s).

 

Hi,
you say that oil level was just a little low...uhm...what kind of oil ? As I know by my experience with old engines it is necessary to change oil max. every 3000 km. You have to use a 20w-50w to compensate leaks or increased tolerance betweens cams and rings...and try to use a good additive to mantain oil viscosity. I'm sure that the noise (as a little ding..ding...yes ?) will decrease. let me know.
Lamps to all vfr owners
Carmine.

 

it sounds like engine knock like its low on oil buts its not. it starts any thing above idle. its not extremely loud just tap tap tap tap. like i said before there is no power loss I don't know if that means anything or not. Its just loud enough that it has me spooked I don't want to lose this ride. I hope this helps if not suggestions might be in order.

 

valves slapping? when were they adjusted last?

 

I got the bike about 3 months ago for $100 and had to clean the carbs to get it running but before I got the bike I was told that it sat for 3 years without being started. its got almost 20k on it now. I have put about 700 on it since I got it running 2 1/2 months ago and this sound just started.

 

Well, here's what I suggest you do: pull the cam covers and check all of the valve clearances. You are not looking for one that is a little bit out of spec but rather one that is WAY out of spec. My feeling is that you have a valve that is getting ready to drop. This is very common with the 500's. Normally the sound does not last long before the valve drops, which would likely ruin the entire engine.

If you find a valve "on it's way", here's what you'll need to do -

1) Replace that valve. It's keeper groove is getting wiped off the end of the stem and it can't be repaired.
2) Replace all of the valve springs. Valve float is what has caused this problem in the first place.

To do this you'd need to pull the head. Since the head gaskets are no longer available you'll need source them elsewhere. The only place I'd recommend is CopperGaskets Unlimited Home Page . Luckily (I guess) the cost is about the same as the Honda parts were.

Again, check the valve clearances first and let us know what you find.

 

YouTube - '85 VF500F Problem Anything like my bike?

 

Viff thats it man, you got it almost right on the dot but can you do that with showing what the rpms are at during that? Other than that thats what it is. Please have good news though cuz I know you are parting yours out?????

 

I never fixed the problem, with my $$$ status it wouldn't have been cost effective to to fix the bike, when I could part it out to get more than I paid for it.

Unfortunately it's a bad sign, it'll require quite a bit of labor and parts to fix.

 

Hummm, that is an interesting one. It's certainly louder than the typical VF500 tick. You might be right on the cam chain, but I'd still check the valves. While you are in there you can also check the tension of the cam chains too, so you could verify (or rule out) both at the same time.

The tensioner would be the better of two because it would only cost $100 or less to replace. If it's the valves you are looking at $200-300 in parts to fix. These are all assuming you can do all of the work yourself.

 

I have the clymers and I plan on doing as much of the work as possible. I really hope its simple though I like riding it alot.

 

My VF500 makes a little bit of noise but usually only at idle....and especially if the idle is too low.

I hope everything works out for ya mls03jbody. What's the Mileage on your bike? What kind of oil you using in the bike?

 

about 20k and i used 10 40 last time

 

were is a good place to get the parts to fix this either way it turns out. I have officially stopped riding it now. if its the valve about to drop should I just go head and redo all the valves and seals? if its the chain should I replace both front and rear as well as the tensoiner? I am going to get some pics of this process, once I get the motor out.

 

I got started today, cam covers are off. Not exactly sure how to go about the next step. I have a scanned copy of the clymers and it barely legible.

 

I can't see much from your pictures, but your intake's are really dirty. One thing I can remark on is your rear intakes have some peculiar build up on them. All four of mine were sparkly clean.