1200 valve clatter- a new one

[ericheath]

Was going through the bike yesterday trying my dual carb setup——-that’s another chapter, or probably a whole series of books—— anyways after a good warm up and a very short ride I could see I wasn’t getting both secondaries to open. Back to the shop to tweak that, thought I had it fixed, started the bike and a had a sudden noise coming from the right head. Had to let it cool and work on it today.

So this morning, off with the valve cover expecting a broken valve spring, or worse. Nothing looked visibly wrong that I could see, so I started pulling the carrier to disassemble the valve adjusters, nothing noticeable there, camshaft looked okay. So I slowly started pulling the actual adjusters apart. Perplexed as I couldn’t see anything wrong, I was at the last one. I pulled the intake adjuster spring out and only half came out.

30F02A94-D5CF-4D11-822B-6266ACD64C1C.jpeg

The other piece didn’t just fall out. I had to get a pick in and wiggle the adjuster back and forth until it freed up.

Has anyone else seen this and if so, are there any words of advice as to something else I should be looking for??

As I write this I am recalling that one or more of the springs had rust on them. Maybe it just got weakened and finally snapped.

Cheers

[CYBORG]

I have experienced some clatter. But after a few minutes it cleared up. Usually after it had not run for a week or so. Not sure the same thing, never took it apart. I have some spares if you need one.

[ericheath]

Thanks Doug, I have a set of spares. I just put it back together and it’s still clattering, no where near as bad but something is making a noise.

My ears say it’s the same cylinder, #3.

[ericheath]

Was going to call it a day but I think a compression check is in order.

1- 180
3- 180
2- 170
4- 170

Pull it apart again later or tomorrow. Has to be something I’m not seeing. Hydraulic adjusters were pumped up, but I did not check to specks. Will do that and recheck clearance for shims.

[CYBORG]

Was going to call it a day but I think a compression check is in order.

1- 180
3- 180
2- 170
4- 170

Pull it apart again later or tomorrow. Has to be something I’m not seeing. Hydraulic adjusters were pumped up, but I did not check to specks. Will do that and recheck clearance for shims.

Good luck. i'm here if you need anything. I have two 1200 engines for parts, and another bike coming in May.




for

[ericheath]

I just pulled it all apart and see nothing wrong. I waved a magnet around through the spark plug hole in case I had dropped something in there. Could see the piston and wall where they meet. I rapped each valve on the stem with a hammer. Seemed to be working fine. Pads of rockers look smooth, stems look smooth,

I didn’t blow all the passageways out the first time, so I did that but didn’t find a smoking gun there.

Not sure where to turn. I have a spare carrier I can swap in from an 84, this is an 87 I think, but it has the 84 cams.

Would a sticking valve cause this? As tight as clearance is, I think a sticking valve would end up a bent valve in a hurry.

Looking for suggestions.

[CYBORG]

no clue. Mine stopped on its own. So I left it alone

[desertrefugee]

That was going to be my suggestion to look inside the combustion Chambers on that side for debris. If you've been dinking with carburetors, it's easy to drop something down there. But, it sounds like you've already checked that out.

Maybe one of the Hydraulics is not hydraulic'ing? Other than that, I wouldn't know where to look either.

[calif wingnut]

I felt your pain of recent Erich, thinking it could only happen to me ? After soaking/heating/tapping, it finally fell out.

[calif wingnut]

As far as the clatter, I had a dry lifter in one that I replaced prior to the head gaskets blowing that solved the noise.

[desertrefugee]

As far as the clatter, I had a dry lifter in one that I replaced prior to the head gaskets blowing that solved the noise.

Yep, kinda what I was inferring above in a feeble attempt at humor.