This thing never ends! A year ago I had a totaled racebike with a noisey top end and and bad transmission.

By the fall, I had a street bike with a perfect transmission and a still disturbingly noisey top end.

First project was to rebuild the trans with two new gears, a new shift fork, and the Factory Pro Shift Star.

Then on to ebay for whatever plastics I could come up with. Silver sides to match the original tank, and some really too nice to pass up green pieces on the tail and nose. All in all, I ended up digging the two tone look. Lights and signals to make DOT happy, of course. For some reason I wanted to go all stock with the tail, including fender and signals. Everyone takes them off, gotta put them on to be unique!

Finally I got sick of the top end sounding like it was coming apart, so I took it back to Marietta Motorsports armed with the valve clearance specs. All were dead center, but one of cyl 4 on each side were right on the low spec. Not certain that would be enough to cause the noise, and not sure the cam chain was the issue either, it was suggested the head be torn down and the valves come out to see if one or more of the valve keepers was failing, or even a tappet may have excessive wear, or something else in there somewhere. Turns out I enjoy taking this bike apart more than riding it, so why not give it a shot? Never hurts to learn new stuff, and I got another bike to ride anyway!

Got the head off, and valves out. Now what?!


I guess I can see what they think over at the shop. All the valves and keepers looked ok coming out.

Maybe re cut the valve seats, rebuild the head with some new parts, and maybe think about splitting the cases again to replace the chain.
Fun stuff! A year ago I had never been inside a motor at all.

 

looks like you've been busy!
great pics. i've never been inside a bike engine, so have no advice for you, but i do dig the silver/green combo!
really? stock rear fender assembly? i guess it will be unique just for that reason.

good luck finding your "noise"

 

That's the best way to learn about you machine. Throw an 05-06 head on there complete with the cams for more top-end power. Heck, just put in a 662cc big-bore kit! Get a manual cam chain adjuster while you're at it.

 

That's a good thought! Maybe have tolook for one.
Probably getting a manual CCT, still considering the new chain.

 

maybe its just loud compared to that red honda

 

i like the silver/green actually. looks unique and sharp!!


good luck with the motor, i'm a car engine guy and have Zero experience with bikes so i'm sorry i can't help with that.

 

MyHonda makes an all together different top end noise with those cam gears! No stinkin chain in there![8D]

 

+1 for speed, i was going to say the same thing. the 05-06 cams and top end are basically race spec cams for the 03-04, so that wouldent hurt at all. just go with a 05 head and no more noise. hello more power

 

Mechanic is saying after looking at the torn down head that should probably replace the valves. That was a shocker! Said may as well do the springs too. The valve keepers are too worn, and that is what is causing my ticking noise.

 

With all that work do you think it would be easier to just find a used head through a junkyard parts finder?

www.midscyclesalvage.com/

I got an oil cooler from them very fast delivery and good price. There is also a search:

http://riderparts.com/