Hello, I have engine noise

[JohnSimons]

How's it going,
I'm new to the site and to the goldwing. Had two KZ750's wich I restored and enjoyed. Sold them both and got something bigger. A 1982 GL1100 Aspencade. I really like the bike. I just cleaned the carbs and rebuilt the rear caliper and also chaged the filter and oil. The bike sat for 5 years so I'm expecting to uncover some things as I work on it.
I have a tap coming from right side of motor and when on highway and traveling at 65 mph, as soon as I release the throttle the motor feels like I'm downshifting and I get alot of rattling and vibration. What's up? I would appreciate any help you can offer.

thanks, John

 

[dan filipi]

Welcome to the forums.

I would start with the basics.

Valve adjustment
sync carbs
fresh plugs

Any one of these can make a big difference how it runs.
Also do a compression check since unbalanced compression can cause vibration.

Many have used Seafoam carb cleaner with success and also adding 6 oz. of atf to a tank of gas to help clean things up.

There are other things can cause a vibration but start with the simple stuff and report back what you find.

 

[joedrum]

try using a dowle rod to find the motor noise at idle and maybe have a friend help to listen at other rpm levels ....could be a lot of things ..... :mrgreen:

 

[mcgovern61]

John, welcome to the site from across the bridge in New Jersey! :clapping:

I am over in Mantua just south of Deptford off 55 exit 53B.

If you would like to get together, I could take a look and listen and give ya a hand! We restored our '82 after sitting for 12 years outside, swapped engines, repaint, etc! PM me if you want!

 

[detdrbuzzard]

hello john, welcome to CGW

 

[54Greybeard]

Welcome John from Maryland.

 

[rcmatt007]

welcome.... not in response to your question, but have you changed out the timing belts. If you don't know when it was done last, do it. If you break a belt, you will at best bend valves, and at worse, kiss a piston

 

[toytender01]

Welcome John from central Calif.

 

[JohnSimons]

Hello,
Thank you all for your warm welcome. To let you all know where i'm at now with this engine noise.....
I've replaced the timing belts and the ones that were on the bike looked fine. I checked both tensioner pulleys and spun them to inspect for bearing noise and they seemed fine. I changed the anti-freeze in the radiator and inspected the water pump which seems ok. I also pulled the filler cap for the rear drive to inspect the gear oil level. It started dripping out.
I then took the bike for a spin and the vibration is still there. It seems to be on acceleration in third gear at an rpm of 3500. 4th and 5th mainly on deceleration. I suspect the drive joint or sync of carbs. I did not sync them yet. I don't know if I want to attempt replacing the drive joint. If I'm not mistaken, don't you have to pull the motor? Well it's been a busy week and I accomplished what I set out to do and more. Thanks for your help and I hope you all have a blessed 4th. Any ideas would be MUCH APPRECIATED.

God Bless, John

 

[joedrum]

unfortunutly the drive shaft is made with unchangable joint that is crimp together or pinded together .....but the motor dosent have to come out to change that ...unless its a prolem on the mtor side on the output shaft .....so im assuming you cant get it to make noise unless it in gear and moving ...that a good sign im thinking ...or could be trans problem too ...hopfuly not ...

the brake caliper and the final can be taken off wheel roto and all caliper tried up and wedge to kepp clearence and the driveshaft access is there ....a circle clip holds it on ....maybe just pull te swingarm and check its bearings for play ...but with all that off its easy to check driveshaft they dont go bad often but can it will also give you the ability to run it in gear to check the and see if it makes noise in the trans maybe under no load ...if somthing is real sloppy it will proably make some noise maybedifferent than before but that will be cause of the no load condition.....thats all canthink of ..hoping for nothing big ....if it is a driveshaft ebay is a good sorce or salvage yard

 

[mcgovern61]

Hello,
Thank you all for your warm welcome. To let you all know where i'm at now with this engine noise.....
I've replaced the timing belts and the ones that were on the bike looked fine. I checked both tensioner pulleys and spun them to inspect for bearing noise and they seemed fine. I changed the anti-freeze in the radiator and inspected the water pump which seems ok. I also pulled the filler cap for the rear drive to inspect the gear oil level. It started dripping out.
I then took the bike for a spin and the vibration is still there. It seems to be on acceleration in third gear at an rpm of 3500. 4th and 5th mainly on deceleration. I suspect the drive joint or sync of carbs. I did not sync them yet. I don't know if I want to attempt replacing the drive joint. If I'm not mistaken, don't you have to pull the motor? Well it's been a busy week and I accomplished what I set out to do and more. Thanks for your help and I hope you all have a blessed 4th. Any ideas would be MUCH APPRECIATED.

God Bless, John

John, we'll have to get together...I have the carb sync gauges and lots of experience with engine noises on these old girls!

 

[mcgovern61]

John..had a great time last night and love your ride! (Like I said last night...they are my favorite GW colors).

For those with inquiring minds, we checked out the bike and found a few items:

*carbs out of sync - we synced them up and that stopped his startup noise with letting out the clutch, also smoothed out the engine at idle and now picks up a little faster
*back brakes - spongey, not making contact - his MC and calipers were rebuilt. Took caliper off, pushed pistons back in and bled the brakes (over and over....lots of air). Turns out, the brake pedal was bottoming out on the floorboards! Dropped the boards and bled again and the pedal came right up!
*valves were adjusted previously, but they still need adjustment
*carbs dripping into engine - looks like the floats need to be set and carb slides are sticking a little. John is going to adjust and clean the slides again later
*New battery, but not charging - stator wires were soldered, but no output from regulator. Pulled the regulator and tried a spare I had and the stator worked! Tried original regulator again and it worked! Turns out the plug was loose and not all the way in (most likely from pulling the faux tank off and catching the wire harness)
*cables need lube...they are a touch sticky
*clutch slipped at 4K when throttle was opened up - clutch needs adjustment, may need new plates
*air compressor not working - did not get time to open the compressor, but we did find that the solenoid that switched between front and back not working right allowing air to bleed off quickly. For now I suggested capping the ends and moving the shraeder valve to the forks and manually fill until the compressor can be looked into. (BTW, the compressor does take up a lot of space!)
*Tried working on the radio...but it needs more than what we could do with it!
*Found out the Vetter fairing is MUCH MORE USER FRIENDLY for working on items than the Honda fairing!!!! Lose parts in the Honda fairing and they drop into the abyss of wires, radio, amp and lights!

As far as engine noise...it actually did not sound too bad! We did notice one of the tensioner pulleys making noise and I recommended getting another. All noise seems to be carb related and just a bike that sat for 5 years! I rode it up the street a bit and it does not have the distinctive, elusive knocking we are trying to pin down. Those Aspy's sure do have comfortable seats!!!! Again...had a great time John!

 

[joedrum]

wow great gerry ....what a blessing you were for john i bet .....everybody needs a visit from a tugboat captain :yahoo: :yahoo: :builder: :builder: :good: :mrgreen:

 

[Omega Man]

Ya just gotta love this place.