New Honda cb550f in the family but... Engine rattle!!

[Noelia]

Hi all!

After almost a year since I bought my cb500 and which I haven't ride yet due to some silly issues (paperwork and clutch being hard rock) I've got a message from my Spanish friend from Liverpool saying that finally one of his work colleagues decided to sell his bike. I was going to buy this one before I bought the 500 but he changed his mind. However it was a great surprise and I rapidly say I will buy it!

The bike is not 100% original but it looks great and had the engine rebuild plus other upgrades like electronic ignition etc etc...

The bike arrived today! And I was so excited! It looked so good!

I fire up the beast and then.. There it is that infernal noise coming out of my brand new old toy... So disappointing...

I think it is the cam chain needing adjusting?

What do you think?



Also a few pictures of the new baby.

... Would I be able ride some day??


Noelia

[Noelia]

I Can't see the video but the link is there... Can someone confirm?


Noelia

[MCTID]

It looks OK to me Noella.

[matthewmosse]

Not 100% sure but sounded ok when reved? I belive clutch baskets rattle a bit sometimes, also out of balance carbs might be a culprit or contributer.... Over to the experts.

[Johnwebley]

it doesn't sound to bad,

  suggest you check the tappets,cam chain tension,and plugs,

 when the plugs are out,it will give you some idea of mixture,

   any nasty smoke when revved?

  just needs some TLC

[Noelia]

it doesn't sound to bad,

  suggest you check the tappets,cam chain tension,and plugs,

 when the plugs are out,it will give you some idea of mixture,

   any nasty smoke when revved?

  just needs some TLC

Hi John,

No smoke at all.. Very clean... It fired up straight away, the last owner is horrified he said he rode it last weekend and there was no noise...

I'm not sure on how to check the tappets but  i reckon it is all related.




Noelia

[dave400]

It runs so take it for a ride, get it revved up bring it home do a full service adjust everything that's making a noise.....then enjoy the beast its old and they do rattle more than modern bikes engines..".cheers

[Johnwebley]

it doesn't sound to bad,

  suggest you check the tappets,cam chain tension,and plugs,

 when the plugs are out,it will give you some idea of mixture,

   any nasty smoke when revved?

  just needs some TLC

Hi John,

No smoke at all.. Very clean... It fired up straight away, the last owner is horrified he said he rode it last weekend and there was no noise...

I'm not sure on how to check the tappets but  i reckon it is all related.




Noelia

  they are simple to work on,I suggest you check Ashimoto dropbox for a manual,or get a Haynes,

  just read,and understand,you can get lots of help here


  watch this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLw6Av07wik


it will give the basic idea

[Noelia]

it doesn't sound to bad,

  suggest you check the tappets,cam chain tension,and plugs,

 when the plugs are out,it will give you some idea of mixture,

   any nasty smoke when revved?

  just needs some TLC

Hi John,

No smoke at all.. Very clean... It fired up straight away, the last owner is horrified he said he rode it last weekend and there was no noise...

I'm not sure on how to check the tappets but  i reckon it is all related.




Noelia

  they are simple to work on,I suggest you check Ashimoto dropbox for a manual,or get a Haynes,

  just read,and understand,you can get lots of help here


  watch this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLw6Av07wik


it will give the basic idea

I need a feeler gauge but thank you so much!! I'm not too confident on this, but I will try to get one of those feeler gauge and try it!


Noelia

[Johnwebley]

take the tank off,

  and take your time,


  carefull removing the 8 caps,a good socket is needed,

[mike the bike]

Use a 6 sided 17mm socket, not one of those 12 sided ones.  Put some paper over the tappet cover first.  That way you'll avoid the corners being chewed up.
Just follow the manual, take your time and you should be OK.

[Noelia]

Use a 6 sided 17mm socket, not one of those 12 sided ones.  Put some paper over the tappet cover first.  That way you'll avoid the corners being chewed up.
Just follow the manual, take your time and you should be OK.

I will put my hands on it this weekend, hopefully I will be able to fix it without having to take to the garage....


Noelia

[matthewmosse]

If the thing ran perfectly for the last owner last week, then plug caps would be my first port of call, just tighten them on a turn and / or wd40 sprayed up inside the cap - for some reason I had a spate of plug caps fail across 3 differnt bikes in the last 4 years, none previously to that, wd40 seemed to revive them briefly - enough to get home / keep commuting a few weeks. It cannot hurt to do a full service for peace of mind in any case.

[Noelia]

If the thing ran perfectly for the last owner last week, then plug caps would be my first port of call, just tighten them on a turn and / or wd40 sprayed up inside the cap - for some reason I had a spate of plug caps fail across 3 differnt bikes in the last 4 years, none previously to that, wd40 seemed to revive them briefly - enough to get home / keep commuting a few weeks. It cannot hurt to do a full service for peace of mind in any case.

I haven't thought about that I will check the plugs tonight.

Thanks!!!


Noelia

[Noelia]

Picked up the 550 yesterday from the garage but the engine is  still rattling... Carbs have been balanced, valves and cam chain adjusted.

The mechanic said I need to have a long ride for it to settle and go away, does anyone experienced something like this before?


Noelia