Topic: What am I hearing?! 75 550k ....

[The Secretary]

I'm on the final stretch of rebuilding a 75 550k that I never did hear run to begin with. This is my first build and my first 'ol honda so I have no idea what I am working with here!

I had the top end apart to reseal and paint the cases and various parts... Other than a quick hone of the cylinders, the engine is pretty much the same as it was when torn apart.

The cam chain tensioner was a little iffy... But I was able to salvage it so I don't think this is the source of the noise.

I was diligent about the proper location of the thingamabobs that regulate the oil pressure/delivery? To the upper portion of the valve train....
On first start up, it was nice and quiet... After about 5 minutes, it started rattling quite bad... See attached video.... Turn up volume...
If it was lash adjustment, it should have made a racket from the bigginning, right???
I did have a considerable amount of cam lube on the lash adjusters and such... But I have read that the old 550 valve covers had an issue with excessive wear due to excessive movement of the rocker shafts... Could this be what is happening??

I still need to build the seat .... Tell me how awesome the secretary is....
And let me know if I have to tear apart the top end on it again!

Cheers!

After several attempts at imbedding a video, I almost give up!
Are there any common complaints, overlooks while doing a similar rebuild that us newbs are well known for!!!???

A picture will have to do... If you listen to your screen real close, you can hear the unmistakeable rattle of cam followers smashing against the valve train!

***apparently I can't even post a picture... Wtf...
I'm sure if I was to read the FAQ... I could figure it out!!'

Anyway... Last attempt without pictures!

Cory

[Joemac]

You could throw the video up on youtube and give us the link

[scottly]

New members have to have a minimum of 5 posts before they can post external links...

[Bootlegger56]

I would recheck that cam chain tension adjustment lock nut and make sure it hasn't come loose.  Mine did after a short ride following a cam replacement.

[The Secretary]

Thanks for the responses... And the info on not being able to post external links as a newb.... Ill just gab a bit until I'm able to rack up a few posts...

I did post to YouTube and ill post the link as soon as I'm allowed!

Ill try and link a few pics in the meantime!!

.... If I can!

I'm trying to post with my iPhone... And I'm getting the message that the file size is too large... Max is 1024kb per photo... Any idea how to find out the file size on an iPhone photo?

***still can post photos.... Guess I'll check out the faqs!!!

[The Secretary]

Lets try this... Here is the link to the YouTube video, if that fails then just search

Valve train noise?
Posted by coryJ71

http://youtu.be/Hjf5-A4PmNk

[nevernoluck]

Seems like awfully loud for valve noise, as suggested check cam chain and adjust your valves again

[The Secretary]

Well... It turns out that I must have used a Big Mac hamburger to set the valve clearance on the number 4 intake valve... All is good now after resetting the valve clearances.... I'm still pretty concerned as to why it was quiet for the first five mins of running tho!!!!

I have read the "how to post pics" post... And will post some pics soon..I'm still trying to figure out the seat and the optimal battery for
The old whore.... It's been a great day of beers and figuring out the workings of the secretary...feel abit better now that the noise is gone!

Stay tunes for awesomeness!!!

Cory

[uksparky]

That noise is half engine speed...valve train......also at a guess i would say there is not enough  oil getting to the camshaft

[RAFster122s]

Yeah, starved valve train vote #2
The adjuster nut could have been loose allowing it to back off.

Is it quiet now?

Need to put a fan on the motor when idling like that, it is an aircooled motor.
20" box fan is sufficientfor the job.

[The Secretary]

It is quiet now and runs top notch... Still need to build a seat and locate a battery so I can road test it...

The smoke that you see billowing around it is a combination of oil burning off the pistons... Dipped them in oil prior to installing (habit from rebuilding car engines) and the brand new header wrap on the exhaust...

It is no longer smoking like a bingo mom and pretty much as quiet as one would hope...

I fully expect many more issues to arise ... But for now, all is a ok...

As for starved oil to the upper valve train, after removing the tappet covers, there was plenty of oil in and around the tappets so I'm assuming that it is getting plenty of oil.

My concern about it being quiet for the first five minutes, my have been my propensity to over exaggerate my concern for something that I may perceive to have not been, or been there from the beginning.... So says a close friend of mine whom partook in beers and brainstorming after I discussed my concern with him about the noise....

Have a great weekend everyone ...
Looking forward to discussing the ins and outs of these great bikes!!!

Cory

[RAFster122s]

Cory, I am glad to read it quieted down and didn't have an oil problem to the head. It was pretty noisy.
Best of luck with the rest of the build.
There is a battery that has been recommended by several but I can't recall the name. You might get lucky with a 550 battery search using the Google search function of the forum. (Regular search didn't use to return very good results...) Name escapes me but I would recognize it if I saw it. The battery was something like 35 shipped from an Ebay seller.

There are a few seat building threads on how to build one with proper density and the like. I know there is one on the CX500 forum if you don't find one useful here.
Access to a decent sewing machine and the materials is 1/2 the battle.

David