|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2014 22:54:19 GMT
Hi all. Greetings from Dave of London.
I recently joined the Forum as 'Er indoors is thinking of a D6 as her next bike. I ride a 750 Virago myself. I was looking at a D6 for sale the other day which to me sounded like it needed the valve clearances done. It has 30 000 miles on it so my thinking was it hadn't been doane at the 30 mark.
Now the owner says they are all loud at the valves even when set correctly. He also said the valves always go tight not loose. Sounds like mince to me but I know nowt about the XJ600.
So my question is...do these bikes have a louder than usual valve train noise than the average 4 pot with shims? All my 4 pots have had quiet valve trains compared to an engine with adjustable valves and rockers like my Virago.
Many thanks.
Edit: I've done a fair bit of searching but havn't come up with anything conclusive yet.
|
|
|
|
Post by HRHpenfold on Feb 8, 2014 23:15:18 GMT
Hi all. Greetings from Dave of London. I recently joined the Forum as 'Er indoors is thinking of a D6 as her next bike. I ride a 750 Virago myself. I was looking at a D6 for sale the other day which to me sounded like it needed the valve clearances done. It has 30 000 miles on it so my thinking was it hadn't been doane at the 30 mark. Now the owner says they are all loud at the valves even when set correctly. He also said the valves always go tight not loose. Sounds like mince to me but I know nowt about the XJ600. So my question is...do these bikes have a louder than usual valve train noise than the average 4 pot with shims? All my 4 pots have had quiet valve trains compared to an engine with adjustable valves and rockers like my Virago. Many thanks. Edit: I've done a fair bit of searching but havn't come up with anything conclusive yet. It won't be the valves, they are rarely loud, but what it will be is the clutch, or the exhaust they all rattle in the clutch, it can be fixed, but rattle in the clutch is not an issue, good bargaining point though, but realistically not an issue and not worth fixing, An aftermarket exhaust is worth having, because the origoinal will rot out, and they are expensive to replace! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2014 23:31:09 GMT
Thanks for the reply mate. The exhaust is sound. I've read about the clutch rattle but this noise is coming from the head, at the front around the exhaust valves. The inlet valves sound as I would expect, a gentle whirring. There's no cam chain noise from the back or top so that, to my thinking anyway, leaves valve adjustment or a another problem altogether in the head. It's not something I was alarmed by as I just thought the valves need doing. Other than that the motor sounds great. No rattle at the clutch either after idling from cold for maybe 5 mins. How does that sound? No pun intended.  |
|
|
|
Post by bobh on Feb 8, 2014 23:31:46 GMT
There can be some valve noise, with it being air cooled. It does quieten them down a bit if they are all set at the bottom limit of clearance, and it's not difficult to do. But it certainly wouldn't put me off buying it, unless it sounded really terminal. And yes, it's true that the clearances will reduce over time as the valves bed into their seats - it's very rare indeed for there to be any measurable wear on camshafts or the hardened shims that they bear on.
A pinhole in the exhaust, usually somewhere around the collectors under the engine, can make a similar noise.
Any clutch noise should go away once the bike is under way.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2014 0:27:22 GMT
Thanks for the reply Mr Spammer. I just found an old post of yours mentioning the exhaust valves. It's certainly doesn't sound terminal so you've given me some piece of mind.
|
|
|
|
Post by CD on Feb 9, 2014 0:35:53 GMT
Worn cam bearings will sound like noisy tappets. Its very rare on these bikes, but can be caused by a blocked oil feel.
CD
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2014 8:41:05 GMT
Thanks for that. I'm going to tell him I'll re consider if he gets the valves done first. If that noise is still there I'll steer clear.
Thanks chaps.
|
|
|
|
Post by CD on Feb 9, 2014 17:57:27 GMT
Ask for permission to take the cam cover off. The clearances are easy to check with feeler gauges and if you whip off a bearing cap any wear will be obvious.
BUT before doing that look closely for exhaust leaks. e.g. new gaskets at the the head without removing the old ones or even no gaskets. Leaks underneath can also sound like tappets and can be hard to locate. The 600 has stainless headers but the Y joints rust.
If you are worried about the spannering, do think carefully about any bike that's likely to need work. The 600s are now at least 10 years old so few will be entirely trouble free. Get the best bike you can afford. It will be cheaper than a cheap one.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2014 18:38:35 GMT
Yup the exhaust is good mate. The Y branch has been changed and proffessionaly welded. It'sa a good piece of work, and the headers and cans are solid. Spannerings no problem. I do my own bike which is 19 years old. 'Er indoors is now considering a 300 Vespa  so who knows what the future holds in store. Thanks for the replies. |
|
|
|
Post by HRHpenfold on Feb 9, 2014 20:39:52 GMT
Well I have sold many bikes in the past, and I have never had anyone ask to remove the cam cover to check valve clearances, and if by chance someone did ask then a polite fork off will be the reply!  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2014 23:54:34 GMT
I'm guessing asking to examine your camshafts would be out of the question?  |
|
|
|
Post by CD on Feb 10, 2014 0:33:50 GMT
Well I have sold many bikes in the past, and I have never had anyone ask to remove the cam cover to check valve clearances, and if by chance someone did ask then a polite fork off will be the reply! Reasonable, but its unlikely any of your bikes would be going clackety-clack with knackered cam bearings. |
|
|
|
Post by neilmud Lord Protector on Feb 10, 2014 1:05:43 GMT
Well I have sold many bikes in the past, and I have never had anyone ask to remove the cam cover to check valve clearances, and if by chance someone did ask then a polite fork off will be the reply! Reasonable, but its unlikely any of your bikes would be going clackety-clack with knackered cam bearings. Well if you had turned up to the January Jolly you could have heard the "clackety-clack" from the Ural until it stopped  but you was too much of a wimp to brave the weather  Neil |
|
|
|
Post by crickleymal on Feb 10, 2014 15:45:45 GMT
Well I have sold many bikes in the past, and I have never had anyone ask to remove the cam cover to check valve clearances, and if by chance someone did ask then a polite fork off will be the reply! I'm with you on this one. It's not like it's a five minute job and what if the person didn't know what they were doing? (Not saying the OP is in this category). A valve clearance check and adjustment is about £200 from a big independent dealer. |
|
|
|
Post by CD on Feb 23, 2014 21:46:45 GMT
Its not about the clearances - they are generally quiet when they need redoing. Its about the cam bearings. Lift a bearing cap to see if its worn.
But if the buyer thinks the bike is noisy just walk away there are plenty about.
|
|
so who knows what the future holds in store.
but you was too much of a wimp to brave the weather 
