Weird noise after top speed run

[tman00]

Hello hello

Today, on my way back from lunch, my buddy and I ran into some fellow riders on the highway and ended up with a little high speed fun. As I hit around 205km/h I felt that usual air box back fire so I backed off on the throttle and came back to civilized speed but I noticed a decently loud clicking noise that fluctuates with RPMs. Meaning the higher the revs the louder and faster the noise. Bike still performs as good as before, and I haven't gotten any light on the speedo. Still starts fine and and idles smoothly. Just that weird noise. Any ideas what it could be? [confused]

 

[go cytocis]

Hmmm, not sure I'd characterize an airbox backfire as "normal"; I've sure never experienced it.

What's the frequency of the "clicking noise"? Is it metallic or plastic sounding? Where does it seem to be coming from?

Oh, & as someone who's landed himself in court for riding at ridiculous speeds on the street, I'm aware that this is going to sound hypocritical, but man, I really hope you were on the track!

 

[Fatty SS]

That 'tick tick tick' sound you're hearing is actually a 'track track track' sound.

Sorry, can't help with your noise problem. However, a track day is a GREAT way to scratch the speed itch.

 

[Alien]

We all know high speed on the street isn't exactly smart but most of us have done it at least once. Let's not lecture this guy but try to provide an answer to the question (of which I'm of no help).

 

[UMDterp13]

Possible you messed a rod bearing up. If you PM me a number I can text a rod noise & other video of lifter or some other noise to you to see if they sound similar.

Think one of my most used uly motors is going cause it's seen 120+ several times. If you travel you hit some boring highway stretches sometimes. The 12 don't like 6,000+ rpm for long periods of time.

 

[tman00]

PMed. If it's the rod bearing, or even lifters, what am I looking at repairs wise ($$)

 

[go cytocis]

Let's not lecture this guy

If you're going to post your acts of gross negligence, a friendly reminder that it's not cool to endanger the public is totally fair game...

 

[UMDterp13]

[up]

 

[WIGGLE2]

I felt that usual air box back fire

I wouldn't say it's 'USUAL' to hear that while running at any rpm except sometimes a cough right off idle. With that said, I'd say possibly a valvetrain issue. Something held that intake valve open at the wrong time....perhaps a lifter, maybe broken spring, though not likely. Can't tell you without hearing it....

 

[user_deleted]

the backfire as you put it was combustion blowing past 1 or both of your intake valves into the TB assembly. that event in conjunction with this new noise you're reporting leads me to believe that you have a partially collapsed lifter. they are hydraulic and self-bleed. one or more is partially collapsed. simplest test is to remove both spark plugs and take a compression test with motor at operating temp and throttle wide open. you'll probably find lower than spec numbers. solution if you do? drain the oil over-nite and remove filter. install new filter and a quality 15-40 cycle specific oil.....not 20-50. ride it gently for several miles and lifters may pump back up.

 

[go cytocis]

you have a partially collapsed lifter

Interesting. The XB is the only pushrod motorcycle I've ever owned so I've never encountered, or even heard of, this before. Sounds quite plausible though!

If your oil trick doesn't work, could the OP also try removing the valve cover & working the stuck lifter free by pushing down on it with the pushrod?

 

[tman00]

ya after some research and some help from UMD, i got to the idea of lifters as well.

what do you mean cycle specific btw?

 

[Fatty SS]

Motorcycles have many unique characteristics that place different demands on motor oil than a standard car. Air cooling is particularly demanding of oil. While the oil itself in auto vs cycle oil is the same, the additives package in each is optimized to work best in the intended application. Cycle oil is generally around double the cost of similar quality auto oil, but at only 2.5 quarts to fill an xb, the extra cost is well within reason.

I'm not usually very particular about oil, but am with motorcycles. We run diesel truck oil in my wife's bike, as hers is a one piece engine/transmission unit and diesel oil is safe to use with a wet clutch. Hers is also liquid cooled, so the oil isn't as critical to the engine. In her bike, clutch compatibly is the deciding factor. I used Castrol GTX 20w-50 in the Buell for it's first change in my possession (at 9k miles) and was satisfied with it. For the next change, I bought Valvoline motorcycle oil in 20w-50 and noticed a little decrease in engine noise. That sold me on cycle specific oil for the Buell. It wasn't a huge difference, and I still think the Castrol would have been just fine. But it just seems a little bit 'happier' with the moto oil in it.