valves tapping at 50 mph

Guys and gals
When I am riding my bike at what the speedo says 55 and I
know the speedo is off a couple of mphs to high. So the real
speed is 50 I would hear the valves clinging BIGTIME. I do
not remember this happening on my 04 swing that I sold.
I have roughly 2.800 miles on it right now so there should
not be that valve noise at a true speed of 50. That is the only
time it does this and I am curious to know IF it is the gas that
I use or what??? I have a 2010 silverwing just for your info
Does anyone else have this sort of problem on there swings??

Ghost rider Greg
Houston tx. usa:SWing: https://2img.net/u/3413/63/00/33/smiles/383825.jpg

29000 miles on my 2003 and no valve noise. I have never had the valves adjusted.

I am surprised you hear it only at one speed. I recently adjusted the valves on my Vespa GTS, and now I can hear the valves tapping, but it happens at all speeds. It is less noticeable at higher speeds than lower speeds. Time to do it again.

Are you sure it is valve noise?

Yes it is the valves tapping I know the sound.They may not need to be adjusted at all. BUT I am
thinking it could be the gas. I use mostly mid range gas not regular. I have used higher octane
gas but the mpgs are the same as mid range mpgs are.
Still does puzzle me Why would the valves be making that noise only at 50 true speed?????

sounds like pinking,if so could cause damage to piston crowns. I would try higher octane fuel.

Why go to a higher grade....should we not stick with lower grade?
And, yes, I believe it is the gas...if you have filled it with a less known supplier, this may be the problem....I have even heard of (what would be considered) a good grade of gas getting water in their tanks....
I would run it (if the only time you hear it is at 50)....and run it low and then fill it with a different type gas....but...I would use low grade not high.

Valves don't make noise at a specific speed, they make noise all the time if they're out of adjustment.   Check the drive train, not the valve train.

Pastor Ron wrote:

Why go to a higher grade....should we not stick with lower grade?
And, yes, I believe it is the gas...if you have filled it with a less known supplier, this may be the problem....I have even heard of (what would be considered) a good grade of gas getting water in their tanks....
I would run it (if the only time you hear it is at 50)....and run it low and then fill it with a different type gas....but...I would use low grade not high.

Hello Pastor Ron.
The suggestion to use a higher octane fuel was to try and determine if the fuel was the cause of the problem. I agree there should be no reason to use anything other than what Honda recommends. cheers.

There's no way for valves tapping at certain rpms or mphs.There are some transmition noises that they look like preignition sound but their true source is from roller weights.At that certain speed they are about to fully disengage the "clutch"

By the way .....50 kmiles and valves are in limits.

Guys
Sorry about the delay I was locked out of this forum do to a old email address that I do not have
anymore.I am STILL hearing that noise like a pinging only at 50 mph and I have used other
gas and it still does that pinging. I am going to have to have my brother take it for a ride and
see IF he can determine the noise pinging. He is a motorcycle mechanic on Harleys and he has
done work on my silverwing the old bike I had. I am also going to put it up on the centerstand
and see IF it does the same noise..
Thanks for your help
Ghost rider Greg
Houston tx. usa

First 2010 with 2800 miles? Valve noise usually at all engine speeds. Don't screw around, take it to a Honda dealer. Doubt is anything wrong.

Guys
I have been listening to he noise and it is not the valves tapping thank GOD. From what a
couple of you riders have said it could be thee transmission which does sound correct. I did
put the bike on the centerstand and and got it up to 50 and there was no noise at all. I did
not get to talk with my brother about this yet but I am going to do so hopefully this week
and let him take it for a ride. Because I do not want to take it to a dealer and they charge
you a arm and a leg. So is this noise pinging a lot at 50 a thing to worry about? IF anyone else
has heard of this noise on there swing. It sounds like ball bearing in a can at that speed all
grinding together..

Ghost rider Greg

seams like i only come here when there's a problem with my SW ........ having same issue with Lifters that am unsure about.   sounds like "Ping" lifter noise, and noticeable  just when you start to load the engine. watched a few youtube vids ... and looks like those shims would not make the lifter noise you would think......  the shims are spacers that sit in small buckets
not a SW but concept is the same.


dont look like anything i would want to tackle on my SW

BUT the Lifter noise or pop noise .. it dont look like those shims would make it? i am familiar with traditional lifers being noise .. but dont know what shim noise is unless thats what i am hearing now  DUH

also am going to see if changing oil and using engine cleaner to try to flush the whole enin with something like sea foam marvel, stp or other engine cleaner will affect the shims, could also be gasoline, an ignition issue.

https://i.servimg.com/u/f11/19/67/90/44/22197610.jpg

will see what this does

RazorbackUofA wrote:

seams like i only come here when there's a problem with my SW ........ having same issue with Lifters that am unsure about.   sounds like "Ping" lifter noise, and noticeable  just when you start to load the engine. watched a few youtube vids ... and looks like those shims would not make the lifter noise you would think......  the shims are spacers that sit in small buckets
not a SW but concept is the same.


dont look like anything i would want to tackle on my SW

BUT the Lifter noise or pop noise .. it dont look like those shims would make it? i am familiar with traditional lifers being noise .. but dont know what shim noise is unless thats what i am hearing now  DUH

also am going to see if changing oil and using engine cleaner to try to flush the whole enin with something like sea foam marvel, stp or other engine cleaner will affect the shims, could also be gasoline, an ignition issue.

You do not state how many miles are on your Silverwing, Honda recommends periodic valve adjustment.

A broken cord in a drive belt striking the belt case sounds like a valve tappet, Check your drive belt and replace it by 25,000 miles.

Happy motoring Lloyd 193.

RazorbackUofA wrote:

seams like i only come here when there's a problem with my SW ........ having same issue with Lifters that am unsure about.   sounds like "Ping" lifter noise, and noticeable  just when you start to load the engine. watched a few youtube vids ... and looks like those shims would not make the lifter noise you would think......  the shims are spacers that sit in small buckets
not a SW but concept is the same.


dont look like anything i would want to tackle on my SW

BUT the Lifter noise or pop noise .. it dont look like those shims would make it? i am familiar with traditional lifers being noise .. but dont know what shim noise is unless thats what i am hearing now  DUH

also am going to see if changing oil and using engine cleaner to try to flush the whole enin with something like sea foam marvel, stp or other engine cleaner will affect the shims, could also be gasoline, an ignition issue.

You do not state how many miles are on your Silverwing, Honda recommends periodic valve adjustment.

A broken cord in a drive belt striking the belt case sounds like a valve tappet, Check your drive belt and replace it by 25,000 miles.

Happy motoring Lloyd 193.

May be belt slap---my second SilverWing 2013 leftover, near 50,000 miles, has always had belt slap noise at 40mph with new or old belt, my first 2009 did not have this noise.

As I ride alot/have ridden a lot with these rubber band drive scooters....near 400,000 miles with 9 new ones----based on this experience, change belts at Honda recommended intervals with OEM belt, period.

My reasoning=walking sucks, breakdowns on trip can be expensive! My record=one broken belt on trip with Helix near end of service life of belt. I always carry spare belt. Dealers will never have one in stock, delays are expensive!

Put reg gas in bike, WalMart house brand 10-40 works great---do not baby. Both my SilverWings went near 50,000 miles with no valve adjustment or funny valve train noises....and no engine trouble.

TY Loyd and John

the sea foam did help with the noise but not much i could tell the engine liked the new clothes .... BUT after reading your comments and the noise still there 70% i did some better paying attention with my ears and u are correct the noise is defiantly belt slap originating from that area not up front where the valves are located or a frayed belt but slap is likely.

i change the belt every 12-16k miles last time was at 45k it currently has 52k so will be taking a look at the belt but will probably order a new one to replace while an takeing a look.

NOTE: the sea foam / new oil, helped what it does is re-energize's the oil loc inside the valve buckets and hard to get to places for the oil.

PRICE for a Valve adjustment according to my Honda dealer: 5-12 hours at $100.00 an H. shim kit costs less than 50 bucs.