Topic: Just bought a 550K, my first honda! A question...

[Skidmark]

So I just picked up a 77 CB550K and let me just say, this thing is sweet.  Such classic styling, simple design... I just love it.

So now I get to try to work out a few of the bugs.

When running, it sounds like it has a little valve clatter at idle.  Listening to the motor, it sounds like... I don't know... maybe the same sound as a few pieces of silverware jingling together?  That makes no sense does it... oh well.

Anyone have sound clips of their 550s, I want to know if I should be worried about the valvetrain on this bike.

Thanks!

Alex

[Harry]

Valve clatter is a characteristic of these bikes. Air cooled engines sound dismayingly "clattery" at idle if you are used to water cooled engines. The "clatter" is really your bikes way of talking to you and letting you know it is running; I prefer to call it valve "chatter" for this reason ;-) If, however, your bike sounds like a family of leprachauns are grating away at your head with a cheese grater you have a problem. Put another way, if you are in doubt, then there is no problem.

[TwoTired]

  Hard to say if the noise you hear is of some concern.  However, the cam chain tension is normally addressed during a major tuneup (every 3000 miles).  If you don't know the bike's tuneup history, it is recommended that you do one now to establish a known record.  The cam tensioner mechanism can fail to operate properly.  This is accompanied by an irregular ticking noise as the chain slaps about.  Tension lock failure make a rasping sound that increases with intensity when reved up.
The valves themselves need adjustment during tuneup.  Excessive clearance settings will sound louder than one where tappet clearance is adjusted correctly.  This would be a regular noise directly related to engine RPM.

[bike54]

hi
check the video out on the site http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=64.0 it shows a cb500 my cb 550 sounds about the same but a bit queter on tickover and a lot of the noises i get when shes cold dissapear when she warms up i agree about checking the cam  another thing is think about a oil and filter change as new oil does work wonders as well

bike54

[egar]

Skidmark,
             I bought a 550k two weeks ago tomorrow, but I haven't gotten it running yet. Working on the carbs right now. Am interested in what your hearing in case I ever get my beast running. I agree about the styling. I think I actually like it better than my ACE 750.