Hi all
This cb250 nighthawk is a 1998 model, and the previous owner didn't seem to be very mechanically minded as the first thing I did after riding the bike was loosen up the front forks and realign the wheel/bars because the bike has obviously been dropped. Such an easy fix makes me think that other less minor stuff wouldn't have been touched either
When the bike is stationary there is a slight knocking noise from the right hand side that seems to be random, and isn't affected by rev's. My assumption is something rattling around inside that should probably be attached to the clutch. I will be taking the cover off and having a look.
The second noise is a whine that occurs when the bike is in gear and it increases and decreases slightly with speed etc, but you don't hear it when stationary and the hand is on the clutch or in neutral. You can put the bike in gear and as you release the clutch lever the noise picks up. I have two theories about this noise, and I'd like your opinion. The noise doesn't really increase drastically with revs or gear, its a fairly constant level.
Theory 1 - Based on this thread, and the previously mentioned noise, I think maybe I should pull the clutch out and replace the springs, plates and friction discs as sometimes a very worn clutch setup can cause a noise. These guys describe it as a cicada but mine is more a constant whine.
Theory 2 - I noticed today that when I shut of my bike it made a clunk type noise that isn't very loud nor scary sounding and I think might be the starter disengaging. I'm now thinking that the whine is the starter motor staying on. I only really noticed it today and now I'm 30 odd km's away from my bike and cannot check if the starter is hot. Do starters get hot from normal engine running or would they only get hot by staying on? If the starter is staying on, would I need a new starter, or will cleaning it up potentially do the job? Do starters that stay on get rooted? I can only afford to do one of the jobs at a time and I'd like to do the more critical. The bike mechanic who rebuilt my front brakes tells me that it might be a bearing in the clutch assembly and it should be fine to ride around but I cannot find a bearing online for the clutch.
The last noise (that I have encountered) I've only really heard while the bike is idling, because its not loud enough for it to be heard while the bike is in motion and I've got my lid on. It is coming from the left side of the engine (maybe, its the loudest there and I haven't yet done the garden hose stethoscope check) and it is a tap tap tap noise that reminds me of lifters on older OHC cars or tappets on the suckers with the cam in the block. Would this just be the calve clearance adjustment or is it possible it is the exhaust or something related to the starter? There looks to be a pin hole in the exhaust near the muffler on the left side but the noise doesn't seem to be coming from there. I don't rate that noise as something that is required to fix soon but just in case it relates to my whine I thought I'd mention it.
For now I think that is all.
Cheers
Glenn
This cb250 nighthawk is a 1998 model, and the previous owner didn't seem to be very mechanically minded as the first thing I did after riding the bike was loosen up the front forks and realign the wheel/bars because the bike has obviously been dropped. Such an easy fix makes me think that other less minor stuff wouldn't have been touched either
When the bike is stationary there is a slight knocking noise from the right hand side that seems to be random, and isn't affected by rev's. My assumption is something rattling around inside that should probably be attached to the clutch. I will be taking the cover off and having a look.
The second noise is a whine that occurs when the bike is in gear and it increases and decreases slightly with speed etc, but you don't hear it when stationary and the hand is on the clutch or in neutral. You can put the bike in gear and as you release the clutch lever the noise picks up. I have two theories about this noise, and I'd like your opinion. The noise doesn't really increase drastically with revs or gear, its a fairly constant level.
Theory 1 - Based on this thread, and the previously mentioned noise, I think maybe I should pull the clutch out and replace the springs, plates and friction discs as sometimes a very worn clutch setup can cause a noise. These guys describe it as a cicada but mine is more a constant whine.
Theory 2 - I noticed today that when I shut of my bike it made a clunk type noise that isn't very loud nor scary sounding and I think might be the starter disengaging. I'm now thinking that the whine is the starter motor staying on. I only really noticed it today and now I'm 30 odd km's away from my bike and cannot check if the starter is hot. Do starters get hot from normal engine running or would they only get hot by staying on? If the starter is staying on, would I need a new starter, or will cleaning it up potentially do the job? Do starters that stay on get rooted? I can only afford to do one of the jobs at a time and I'd like to do the more critical. The bike mechanic who rebuilt my front brakes tells me that it might be a bearing in the clutch assembly and it should be fine to ride around but I cannot find a bearing online for the clutch.
The last noise (that I have encountered) I've only really heard while the bike is idling, because its not loud enough for it to be heard while the bike is in motion and I've got my lid on. It is coming from the left side of the engine (maybe, its the loudest there and I haven't yet done the garden hose stethoscope check) and it is a tap tap tap noise that reminds me of lifters on older OHC cars or tappets on the suckers with the cam in the block. Would this just be the calve clearance adjustment or is it possible it is the exhaust or something related to the starter? There looks to be a pin hole in the exhaust near the muffler on the left side but the noise doesn't seem to be coming from there. I don't rate that noise as something that is required to fix soon but just in case it relates to my whine I thought I'd mention it.
For now I think that is all.
Cheers
Glenn
