Valve clatter.

[Magua]

Cotton buds, I'll get onto it. I just got another bolt from action wreckers.

[Bonez]

Cotton buds, I'll get onto it. I just got another bolt from action wreckers.

The other thing is it may in fact be botteming out. They don't have to be overly tight, just nipped up, as the large rubber washers and rubber gasket do the sealing. Use a small 10mm ring spanner if you where using a ratchet and socket.

[Ixion]

That's another thing. You do still have the rubber washers in there ? and they're not dried out and hardened up to a bit harder than armour plate steel ?

[xwhatsit]

That's another thing. You do still have the rubber washers in there ? and they're not dried out and hardened up to a bit harder than armour plate steel ?

Individual rubber washers on the bolts, or the rubber sealing gasket for the rocker cover?

[Bonez]

Individual rubber washers on the bolts, or the rubber sealing gasket for the rocker cover?

Both can go hard. The sealing gasket and washers tend to break/split.

[Magua]

Both seem to be fine. I managed to get the bolts on without breaking them this time! I'll upload a video later of how it sounds now.

Looked at adjusting the cam chain, but I'm not sure if my chain tensioner works. I undo the bolt at idle and it makes a terrible rattling noise, is that how it's meant to sound? I've heard of some people giving the bike a whack with a rubber mallet after undoing the bolt to loosen it up.

[Bonez]

Both seem to be fine. I managed to get the bolts on without breaking them this time! I'll upload a video later of how it sounds now.

Looked at adjusting the cam chain, but I'm not sure if my chain tensioner works. I undo the bolt at idle and it makes a terrible rattling noise, is that how it's meant to sound? I've heard of some people giving the bike a whack with a rubber mallet after undoing the bolt to loosen it up.

Should be quiet once the nut is tightened. Be carefull not the over tighten it. At the other end of the adgustment bolt is a plate which holds the two peices of the spring loaded metal tensioner,which the bade is attached to, together.

[Magua]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc2aIXKkir8

[Magua]

I use wiggle and click test, Smooth wiggle on the inlets - should be able to wiggle side to side but not up and down, exhaust should be able to lift up and down slightly - enough to hear a slight click (with no oil between the top of the valve stem and the rocker arm). Valve tops may have pitted and worn concave meaning the feeler method will allways be too loose as there will be a gap under the guage that the rocker arm fits into. You will probably be able to see which one is making the noise if you do the "click" test.

Wiggle and click for the win. Renegade and I gave it a shot the other day. Increased performance and decreased revs at 100kph.

[xwhatsit]

Wiggle and click for the win. Renegade and I gave it a shot the other day. Increased performance and decreased revs at 100kph.

Decreased revs at 100kph? You mean you're a gear higher? Or is this the automatic transmission CB400A?

How's the noise?

[Magua]

Decreased revs at 100kph? You mean you're a gear higher? Or is this the automatic transmission CB400A?

How's the noise?

Hondamatic transmission. In top gear, the revs needed to reach 100 are less than they were prior to the wiggle and click adjustments.

Noise seems a lot better. I'll upload a video later.

[xwhatsit]

Hondamatic transmission. In top gear, the revs needed to reach 100 are less than they were prior to the wiggle and click adjustments.

Noise seems a lot better. I'll upload a video later.

Wot, did you change your top gear ratio while you were doing the valves?

Glad it's sorted. Might try that technique next time I do my valves, I'd rather have loose noisy tappets than tight ones though.

[jonbuoy]

Wot, did you change your top gear ratio while you were doing the valves?

Glad it's sorted. Might try that technique next time I do my valves, I'd rather have loose noisy tappets than tight ones though.

Just not too loose mate or you'll increase wear by the rocker arm "hitting" the valve top. If its too loose the rocker arm and valve stem would be making contact later at a steeper part of the cam lobe rather than being eased down on the less curvy part of the cam. Thats why it sounds "noisier" when they are loose - metal on metal contact. Glad it made a difference - I got the tip from the SOHC four website - loads of good info on their relevant to anyone building/repairing older engines.

[Magua]

My idle seems to have gone to shit whilst the engine is cold. 1000rpm or under, climbing slooooooowly as the bike warms. Possible relation to clearances? Coincides, but merely coincidence?

[xwhatsit]

Could it be a carb sync thing? These multiple carb/multiple cylinder bikes are confusing. I know multi owners often seem to whinge about needing a carb sync thing after they do their clearances. How long before it comes right?