Hi,
I need some help. After riding the bike (01 GS500) for 15 mins in 55 mph zone, I felt a lot of heat on my legs. So, stopped the bike to check. The engine was making a pinging/clanking sound and I could see smoke coming out from the head gasket area. The engine was really hot.
The oil level is good and the oil is new. Carbs are clean too.
I let the bike cool down for 10 mins and rode it back home?
What's happenning? Can anyone help me with this? I am really stumped.
Please advise.
Regards,
Kid
You might have carb synchronization checked. Or it may be running a little lean. Everybody on here says the bike is lean from the factory. I'd check the spark-plug condition and carb synchro as a start. Love the little Baby GS, Panama Canal (eighth wonder of the world), and this forum.
C.........
Without actually hearing the pinging/clanking sound myself I would err on the side of caution and not ride that bike again. It sounds like something serious has happened to the internals. How did the bike run after you let it cool down? When was the last valve adjustment done? If not ever, get a compression test. Engine noises that are not normal are not good. Something happened. Also, what octane gas are you running?
I'd look into the engine heat... I noticed some white vapor coming up once after riding a significant way, on a hot day, back when the bike was running lean. After the rejet, it never happened again.
I don't know what I'm talking about, but my first thought was: oil pump?
--MMD
Hmmm. The bike sounded loud on the way back. Didn't sound "healthy". Something is screwed up. I am using 87 octane gas. Valve check was done at the 4000 mile mark, by myself. Bike is now at 9000 miles. I am really stumped.
-Kid
Sounds like a bearing is going bad :(
That tends to create alot of heat and noise. Drain the oil and take off the oil pan on the bottom of the motor. you'll find out real quick, when you see bearing bits in the pan.