VTX 1800 (Motorcycle) Top End Noise, Decompression Valve Removal, Timing and Valve Train Inspection

[@ReeeeeToaded]

This man is the difference between a mechanic and parts changer

[@boldkojak2734]

Bravo 👏👏 i did not even think that this cover will come out without removeing the whole engine

[@boldkojak2734]

Woow … this is a tight spot with so many hoses and wires Tough old man … thank you for sharing this Been trying to get to the wax valve 🙏

[@colinm1325]

😂, laughing at myself. Had this on auto play, listening as l was doing stuff, thought it was a bit breezy and you were cooking eggs..... Yeh l know. Close ur eyes and play it. The 1st 5 mins, then l had a look... Thanks 4 th vids. Hope ur travelling ok.

[@stevejunga5146]

Nice video! Mine has been making that noise forever. Drives me nuts. Nice to see whats actually clacking around in there. Thanks

[@jaylanecreations5503]

The bike is running well! Better than before... I still considering tightening the valves some, i think Honda was too cautious and kept them rather loose.... We will see! Keep the Rubber Side Down!

[@nalyd6386]

I have this issue with my dirtbike, it’s an 08 Crf250r, is this a noise I should be paying attention to?

[@jaylanecreations5503]

@@nalyd6386 all the Honda dirt bikes have always had a light valve noise, and is normal... compare it with other bikes to make sure its not excessive.... just to make sure. When I did this project, i found many forums that talked about the Honda noise issues, most said it was also normal. When I did my teardown it was because it was loud and obnoxious, and different than the normal noises.

[@nalyd6386]

@@jaylanecreations5503 thankyou, I have ridden the bike more now and there is little engine clicking noise when I ride, it’s very faint in the high rpm’s but it’s definitely louder in the lower rpm’s. I haven’t had a high performance 4 stroke race bike, this is my first one so of course I will be nervous!

[@jaylanecreations5503]

@@nalyd6386 NO worries....... I have been wrenching and riding for several years now. I am in the habit of bird-dogging noises, and being hyper-aware of them. My buddies got to hear me chatter a bit about my noises. After I showed them the valve and the video, their attitudes changed a little. Keep the Rubber Side down!

[@outtowin75]

Thanks for the video... You made it look easy

[@09roadraider40]

I wish we could have heard these engine noises before tear down and afterwards?

[@alecboswell5527]

Hey man just checking. How did it effect how it starts? Thanks.

[@DominWegla]

Hi how it's starting without decomposition?

[@ArronHall-o9j]

So appreciate the video and content. Wonderful job. I have what I believe to be the same issue with the decompressor and have two things would like to know. I believe the decompressor is open and is hitting the rocker tab, do you think you could grind down the rocker tab just enough to avoid it being hit? Second, what is the risk of running compression of the rear at 90 psi and the front at 150 psi. Seems enough to be of concern. Appreciate everyone's feedback.

[@gregeryhitchcock2338]

Hello Jay, i did a compression test on my vtx1800, consistently 120psi on both cylinders. after watching this video I thought I may either have a bike with upgraded cams, or bad decomp cams. I purchased a used Set of cams, the decomp cam on them had no spring, so I got a New set. ... they don't appear to be any different... no spring. Am I missing something?

[@jeremym1158]

Just did my valve adjustment at 7100 mi. Never made noise before. Almost all valves were on the tight side. I set them on the looser end of the specification range. Now my VTX makes the sewing machine clicking noise. I am paranoid since it never made noise before, even though it is normal. I'm thinking of rechecking my clearances, even though I was methodical and have experience doing this. 🤔

[@jeffbatchler2899]

The sewing machine is good in a honda. That whine is what gives me confidence its done right. In fact when I hear one not whining I get worried. You did good

[@jaylanecreations5503]

Honda runs the valves loose, that's normal- drove me nuts at first- they say, when they don't make noise is when to worry

[@tysonjuicegonzalez2067]

Would I be better off replacing the camshaft, or cutting off the decompression valve to get rid of this sound?

[@MondoxPL]

Dzięki za pomoc super, pozdrawiam.

[@DominWegla]

Witam czy zrobiles to w swim vtx?

[@scottg429]

What mileage did the sound start happening?

[@commentsedited]

Great narrative

[@mikem5608]

Hey! How can I adjust the rear cylinder valves? will be the same easy access?

[@kevinhill7742]

From Kevin Hill need some quick help is it possible to vent the rear head on vtx1300 c valve cover similar to the front cover on the rear head is a solid casting stud at that location wanting to drill and tap thanks

[@tysonjuicegonzalez2067]

Can this job (removing of the decompression valve/weight) be completed without removing the camshaft? If not, what would be the cost to have this procedure on my VTX-1800? My knowledge is thatcher limited and the expert knowledge of Mr. (@jaylanecreations5503) made it look easy……..I simply couldn’t do that. Thanks,

[@AdventureTomek]

Thanks for the vid 👍🏼

[@danielm8515]

So you completely removed the balance weight? Isnt that part required to save wear on the cam bearings etc?

[@jaylanecreations5503]

Its not for balance.... its (mildly) spring loaded... the theory of design is that at cranking speeds (approx 400 rpm, the decompression valve hangs open dragging on the cam, keeping the exhaust valve open longer, which lowers cranking compression. When the bike starts, the centrifugal weight (which I removed) pulls the decompression valve off of the exhaust cam lobe, returning the valve geometry to normal. The spring was weak, the valve was hanging in position and the rattle was twice as fast and loud as a loose cam timing chain would be. This is a somewhat common problem with the Hondas and other bikes with the same set up. When you purchase aftermarket cams many don't even have this decompression valve. There is plenty of oil and surface space for you to not have any problems with the cam journals.

[@danielm8515]

@@jaylanecreations5503 Aha. Yes. I did some searching and learned just that. I too have some rattling when revving up mildly while stationary. but nothing at idle or higher rpm. It sounds like chain-rattle to me.

[@jaylanecreations5503]

@@danielm8515 First--- SOME NOISE IS NORMAL! Knowing this, you need to determine the source of the noise...mine was like a broken timing chain running 2x as fast dragging the case (though the chain wasn't broken) I just bought the bike a few weeks before. The first ride (and 70 mile ride home was fine. Then the noise showed up.) The bike had sat for over a year (only had 14k miles on it. (later figures that sitting may have allowed some oil to drain down leaving some areas without good oil. (ie the rocker shafts and guides and other areas as well. I'll address that at the end. I adjusted the valves and they were close to spec. Honda runs them loose, .005 in, .013 ex. There was no change with the adjustment. The saying with these bikes is to worry when there isn't any noise (valves become to tight and start to hang open) Since the noise was from the front cylinder I took off the valve cover to inspect the chain, cam, tensioners and decompression valve. I played with the decompression valve and found that it would stick and the spring had no tension. So the next step was to remove the decompression lever that is installed onto the cam. That solved much of the noise issues. Even though the oil may have had 1000 miles on it (it was still almost clean, light and transparent) we changed the oil and filter, using Mobil 20-50 made for v-twins... after 40 or 50 miles the noise went away and the bike runs like a champ. There is now just ight, normal valve tapped rattle.

[@danielm8515]

@@jaylanecreations5503 I get it now! Yes, smaller forces for the start crank. But who knows how much more wear it makes in the long run? Should not make a difference above that threshold RPM. A little rattling from it on idle should be normal, no? I seem to have a grinding rattle when listening closely (even when revving high on neutral). I am yet to figure out if its some heat shield from exhaust or internally, potentialy the decompression ring?

[@jaylanecreations5503]

@@danielm8515 Potentially lost of things, hard to say without hearing it- I take a screw drive or stethoscope and start listening closely- sometimes its easy, other times it can take a while. My noise was intermittent and I needed to take the rocker cover off and then i found that the decompression lever was jamming up, and that the retaining spring was jacked up

[@GrouchyGarageTips]

Hey Jay do you still have the VTX? I just bought my first VTX 1800C..

[@BerserkerNick]

Are you double this to the rear cylinder as well or is this something that only needs done to the front?

[@S1lentpie]

Thanks for making interesting video. I had my previous vtx1800c15 brand new from the dealership and sold it with more than 100k miles on it and still running good. I've changed the cam chains on 75k and was able to inspect the heads. The loose decompressor is just making noise. You don't really have to cut it out. I got my new vtx1800t now with 20k on it. I can hear that noise from the front head but all I want to do is to replace the cam chains every 40k. I am curious how the bike runs with w50 oil?

[@michaeljohnson254]

Mine runs great with 20 50 supertech i live in az tho ride piss out of it in 120 degree weather lol

[@williamstidham2163]

How many miles was on this?

[@nop3noperson]

That's a guy who knows its scarier too not know than to go look.