TOPIC:

usually when things get quiet and start running good it a sign thats its time for me to get rid of it,or get ready for a rebuild! impending destruction!

geerbangr wrote:

If the noise went away the problem fixed itself(that's the way my dumbass boss thinks)....

I'm actually starting to think this might be it. It ran great and quiet all the way home. I think it even runs a little better than before. There seems to be more low-end torque...

Tell me if this is crazy, but it's my working theory: one valve was stuck a teeny bit open, perhaps obstructed by carbon or whatever, but that made the excessive valve clearance noise. So, perhaps the mysterious piece of carbon burned away all-of-a sudden and now the valve closes correctly, the valve clearance is back in spec, and it's quiet.

Yes/no?

This is just me. If it seems to run better, then ride it. Worry about it when you can't ride because of the weather. Until then let the miles unroll beneath you. We, or at least I, am riding a 27 year old motorcycle. I could worry every second about every little noise it makes but mostly I just like riding. If I want something completely worry-free to ride I better buy something made in this century. I say enjoy! Live, laugh amd smile.

Biquetoast wrote:

geerbangr wrote:

If the noise went away the problem fixed itself(that's the way my dumbass boss thinks)....

I'm actually starting to think this might be it. It ran great and quiet all the way home. I think it even runs a little better than before. There seems to be more low-end torque...

Tell me if this is crazy, but it's my working theory: one valve was stuck a teeny bit open, perhaps obstructed by carbon or whatever, but that made the excessive valve clearance noise. So, perhaps the mysterious piece of carbon burned away all-of-a sudden and now the valve closes correctly, the valve clearance is back in spec, and it's quiet.

Yes/no?

I don't know, that's a lot of pounding for a bit of carbon to take for two years. But...
Once I jumped a timing sprocket on a Dodge 318. (200,000 miles on it). Replaced the timing parts to find out one valve was slightly bent. I was all bummed out. My Dad said to just drive it. Eventually the valve seated itself and the car was as smooth as ever. Literally it ran like new after about 6 months. Every now and then, if I over revved it, the valve would rotate and become un-seated because it wasn't in the proper orientation. It would idle rough for a few miles until the valve re-oriented itself. Then it would be back to running like new. I got another 100,000 miles out of it that way.

Maybe with the temperature and the probability the air was dense with moisture due to being at or near the dew point somehow, someway some bad carbon build up blew off one of the valves or head?

Just in case I'd keep those clutch fingers ready if it decides to lock up on you!

If not drop a coin in the fountain for the manna from heaven.

Your running 87 octane gas. That's the hottest burning gas you can buy. In the summer you are sucking in the hottest air you can. Detination(pinging) usually happens when the torque load is the greatest on the engine. This is usually at low rpms. It is now getting cooler so one of the variables has changed enough to eliminate the detonation. When it gets hot again you can change the other by using 91 octane fuel that burns cooler.

FlyingSlow wrote:

Your running 87 octane gas....

First, welcome to the site!

..And thanks for the advice. However, I'm 100% certain it wasn't pinging (detonation). And as an aside, I have tried to run higher octane in the past, and all I got was excess carbon build-up and soggy performance!

I'm thinking gas and temp too. Looks like you can only ride the bike when it's 35 out. I think I'd make one of those snow scooters out of it!

ambergrismooon wrote:

I'm thinking gas and temp too. Looks like you can only ride the bike when it's 35 out. I think I'd make one of those snow scooters out of it!

Alright, now that's funny.
Actually, I'm gonna squeeze a couple more commutes out of it tomorrow and Wednesday before the holiday. It should be around 30F or so in the morning...

Over the next few days we are supposed to have record warm temps here. High 60s tomorrow, 76 on Wednesday and the warmest Turkey day on record they are saying 73.The previous record being 70. VROOM VROOM!