Valve noise?

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Did a valve adjustment, most were tight. set them all at spec. "Exhaust, #1 to 4, .21 / .20 / .21 / .21 Intake, .20 / .19 / .19 / .16. Did the best Icould with the shims I had I still have a valve noise (stock exaust, so I hear everything) Is this "normal" not loud, but I can hear a slight "tapping

[James England]

It's normal.

[bikerphil]

Yep, If the valves are too quiet, it means they probably need adjusting.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Cool

That is exasctly what happened, couldn't hear them at all before adjustment but some were near "0" tolerance I even took it all back apart and re-checked them because of the increased noise, all in spec Kinda spounds like a sewing machine now but works great Timming set, valves adjusted, and finaly, thanks to many here CARBS are working perfectly! Sync, adjusted inside and out NO leaks, just smoth power, thanks again

Yep, If the valves are too quiet, it means they probably need adjusting.

[James England]

I had the same shock when I did my valves. It went from silent, to the sewing machine thing and I thought I'd got it wrong. It was checking here on the forum that put me right...

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Next time

Next time I do an adjust, I will get more shims and set all to the smallest tolerance gap and see if that helps, I like a quiet motor. This time, I had to work with what I had, a shim started kit I got on Ebay with about 10 sizes, 2 each, and it wasn't cheap

I had the same shock when I did my valves. It went from silent, to the sewing machine thing and I thought I'd got it wrong. It was checking here on the forum that put me right...

[cywelchjr]

Next time I do an adjust, I will get more shims and set all to the smallest tolerance gap and see if that helps, I like a quiet motor. This time, I had to work with what I had, a shim started kit I got on Ebay with about 10 sizes, 2 each, and it wasn't cheap

You're better off to do wide, these valves close up as they wear, so if you manage to set them at the closest end of the range, you will be doing them again really soon, but if you set them at the outer edge, it will be longer. The noise is just a characteristic of these engines and not enough noise is considered a sign of trouble in most cases.

[bikerphil]

It's amazing how quiet these motors are when wearing earplugs.

[BA80]

It's amazing how quiet these motors are when wearing earplugs.

And how good they run with a little bit of HEALTHY valve clatter.

[James England]

I like a quiet motor.

Mmm.... I think you may the wrong bike then. On an XS1100 a quiet motor is not a likeable attribute, I'm afraid. They're meant to sound like that.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

750XS Special

OK, My 1st Special was a brand new in 1979 XS750 Special I still have to give praise to that bike, smooooooth, good throtle response, just one sec. slower then the fastest bike of all time back then (XS1100) in the qtr mile. Near 60 MPG on the HWY and "no" motor noise I am learning to love my XS1100, but that XS750 Special was a sweetheart

[Danny Crawdad]

Between the vacuum advance chattering and the valves tapping, these engines sound all sorts of loud and clattery when they're running well

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Tapping

Well, I am reading on here now, how a tapping noise turned into a dropped valve, new motor Does that happen alot on these bikes All valves are within spec (checked twice, before run and after) and the left side is still tapping more then the right (dont feel good after hearing the #3 drop's valves more then the others Time will tell, runs great, starts great, shifts great (for a russin tractor) Power is great, then I look at the pics of the motors with the holes in the block and ask, what the heck

Between the vacuum advance chattering and the valves tapping, these engines sound all sorts of loud and clattery when they're running well

[L0rdexpectati0n]

hole in the exhaust

mine was quite louder after valve lash and when you replace your valve oil seals a loud upper end isn't what you want to hear and a hole in the exhaust doesn't help it either

[Danny Crawdad]

Well, I am reading on here now, how a tapping noise turned into a dropped valve, new motor Does that happen alot on these bikes All valves are within spec (checked twice, before run and after) and the left side is still tapping more then the right (dont feel good after hearing the #3 drop's valves more then the others Time will tell, runs great, starts great, shifts great (for a russin tractor) Power is great, then I look at the pics of the motors with the holes in the block and ask, what the heck

Well, I've never seen it, but I haven't been around these forums long, but I have known many who have owned an XS at one time or another. My brother in law had 3 at one point.

I was reading the thread you are talking about and it was a little concerning to me too, but the original poster almost certainly had a low/no oil situation. On Barnfresh's problem, the engine had evidently been sitting for 6 years, it was its first time back on the road, and he said he had clues that it was happening (thread is here: http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33395). From the backfire/carb issues it also sounds like he may have been running lean, and very hot, and that's all it takes to burn an exhaust valve and stick it open.

Not saying he could have prevented it, and it still absolutely sucks (been there several times with cars). But that is the chance you take with an old bike that has been sitting a lot of the time. Any old bike.

I don't think these bikes are prone to valve failures, but I'd be interested to hear from others. Definitely makes me want to stay on top of valvetrain maintenance for sure.