Strange chain flailing noise and loss of power

[Melena]

Michael, the mechanic, hasn't had a chance to get into the bike yet, but he did pull the plugs.  One of the plugs was smashed and broken.       Sigh.  That must have been part of the rattling sound I heard.  

Luckily this happened now instead of the middle of the summer.  In the summer he'd really be backed up.  At this point he's got some bikes on the lifts to finish up and he'll be able to get into it next week.  Then it's just waiting for parts.

Looks like I won't be riding it for awhile.  Oh well.  The weather has turned rainy and cold again.   [smiley=vrolijk_1.gif]

[Justin B.]

Another silver lining is that it didn't happen half-way across the country!  I don't think I have any parts that would help, I've got a pair of "jugs and slugs" but they are the cast iron ones from an '80...  It'll be interesting to find out just exactly what the failure was...

[msbuck]

We're thinking positive thoughts...and sending them your way!  Hope you're not off the bike for too long.  

[Lucio_Lopez]

Animo Melena! it's only "fierros" (steel) and can be replaced. good you are fine.
saludos!

[Melena]

Animo Melena! it's only "fierros" (steel) and can be replaced. good you are fine.
saludos!

Hi Lucio!  Glad to see you around here.

Yes, you are right, and I've got the right person on it.  

I'm lucky it was on a 2 lane road instead of on the freeway when it happened.  As it was, I hardly knew that anything happened except for the strange noise, the loss of power and then it not starting.  Very undramatic.  Frustrating, but not dramatic.  

Mechanic hasn't had a chance to get into it  yet.  He had some other bikes in for an appointment that were ahead of me.  There was a sudden rush for people to get their bikes fixed - it's amazing what a bit of good weather will bring out.  

[Ed Miller]

It's always frustrating to have to wait for somebody to get to your project.  

[Hunsta]

It's always frustrating to have to wait for somebody to get to your project.  

damn after reading all those posts, still no conclusion.  Waiting with baited breath for the actual problem

[suecanada]

Me too....read, read...then wait! Thank goodness all was safe for you on the road when it happened. From the description you have provided, it sure does sound like some hard part got itself in the way of the plug. By why just one side? You pulled in the clutch fast enough??
Please make it simple, Lord!
I am now very cognizant of valve wear..in that it isn't always the top part that wears down and fails. The Keepers don't keep either!!

Waiting with bated breath!!

[Melena]

Okay!  Michael the mechanic just called.  Got some information.

It did suck the left exhaust valve.  And it did do a bunch of damage to cylinder and piston.    He said there are signs of overheating, but the right side showed no signs of overheating at all.  So there must have been some kind of imbalance, but he's not sure at this point what that would be.    

There was someone at his shop who has a left side top end that's in good condition and he's going to see how much he wants for it to see if it's cost effective.  Plus I just called another contact I have here in Santa Rosa who might have something.  

Now I'm just waiting on return calls.  I'll be going over to look at the bike tomorrow and take some pictures.  

Gee!  This sure sounds like what happened to Blueberry.  

Oh, and I will get the whole top end done while he's in there.  New valves for both sides, of course!!

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I know there are a lot of parts in CA, but:

Re-Psycle 614-837-1160 EDT

Matt @ Boxerworks  706.310.0031 EDT

Airhead Salvage  512-357-2842  CDT

etc.

[Melena]

Thanks Rob!  Already got the parts.  They're from an R65 that had right side valve failure a few years ago.  A good story on how I got it.  I'll tell it on the chit chat section.  

Here's some pictures.  I forget that I have to back up farther and so one picture is out of focus.  I think it's an old habit from my old 35mm SLR camera.  But you'll get the idea.

[montmil]

Shucks... Such a sad picture. And those exhaust stub threads look perfect [smiley=rolleyes.gif]

Monte

[Melena]

It's a sad sad thing, for sure, Monte.  But all will be well.  I've got a good mechanic.  He just finished rebuilding my friends R100T after the engine seized.  He does a good job of finding the best deals on parts too.

The right side was in perfect condition.  But the whole top end will be refurbished.  All the parts, the good right side and the new/used left side that I just got and is in perfect condition, are getting sent over to someone to do all the machining and putting in all new valves and springs.  Michael will be doing some other things too.  I can't remember it all right now.  

This little bike will be raring to go soon!   8-)

[suecanada]

Well, the 'bottom' line is now you know and it will end up all new again with labour, parts and $. Sounds like a Blueberry story alright. So now we all have one version of the 'sounds' of carnage inside the cylinder when a valve does go.

Thanks to Rob for all those numbers from all of us.
Keep yer chin up girl!! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Melena, if the heads have not gone out, and Mike doesn't have a love-affair with his guy, I HIGHLY recommend taking them to Bob Grauer.  408 248 9732
rgrauer at earthlink.net

He is a retired machinist, and a real sweetheart of a guy.  He loves building and working on airheads, and does HIGH QUALITY work!




Bob's sidecar rig - that he built!



and you know I make my pictures "clickable"!