Infamous Honda tick

[bryanc5712 18]

Edited January 6 by bryanc5712

[bryanc5712 18]

No idea how to delete that photo I've been gone so long I can't remember!! Plus me and technology... 🤦‍♀️ Anyway how is everyone, long time no speak, been off the forums for a while, rebuilt a 300 during lockdown, but thought I'd make a reappearance, just a convo starter really, what is it that causes the infamous Honda tick? My foreman 450 and 300 are silent, but it seems every other Honda quad I've heard does it, both my machines see the rev limiter quite regular, I paid for that limiter so I'm going to use it, it's there for a reason I say 😂  there not babied in the slightest, I'm very, very parnickity with maintenance etc though, by the book etc, but what seems to be the main cause of the tick? Valve issues, clearances, timing chains, wrist pin noise, all that, seems the pushrod engines are noiser, just curious really 

Edited January 6 by bryanc5712
No idea what I'm doing

[56Sierra 112]

My Hondas are so quiet the only tick I hear is the crack of the spark plug😉.

What is this tick you type of.  At idle?  I do have a ticking in both my 300s that only happens when first starting to movr when cold.  I think it's the centrifugal clutch weights finding their way.

[_Wilson_™ 2,654]

likely valves, or timing chain. ^^^^ does this happen when the engine is cold hot, or both ? 

[Goober 699]

Exhaust leak?

[retro 2,037]

The "Honda tick" issue does not exist... but many folks do not maintain their ATVs very well, which can result in excessive valve lash noise over time. On many of the Honda's that I have worked on over the years in my area (where farmers use & abuse & NEVER maintain anything), the valve adjuster screws were found hammered out and the end of the valve stems are commonly hammered into a cup shape to match. I generally have to replace the valves and both adjuster screws with new parts to quiet them down. I suspect that "the Honda tick" = "Neglect" in all other parts of the world too. 🙂

 

[LedFTed 344]

1 hour ago, retro said:

The "Honda tick" issue does not exist... but many folks do not maintain their ATVs very well, which can result in excessive valve lash noise over time. On many of the Honda's that I have worked on over the years in my area (where farmers use & abuse & NEVER maintain anything), the valve adjuster screws were found hammered out and the end of the valve stems are commonly hammered into a cup shape to match. I generally have to replace the valves and both adjuster screws with new parts to quiet them down. I suspect that "the Honda tick" = "Neglect" in all other parts of the world too. 🙂

 

Well, i got the 2000,450,es worked on once., the shop person,[supposed mechanic] said it probably wouldnt do any good. the valves were much quieter after that. the rest of the work they, or he did sucked.

i got rid of the 450 backfire., that was common at the time. [has to do with the carburetor/valves]. didnt have nothing to do with work done at that shop.

Edited January 10 by LedFTed

[SlammedRanger 1,023]

In the defense of the owners and lack of mantainance being the reason. I will say all honda sport quads do have a tick. Expecially 400ex and 450r. I havent really heard utility quads ever tick unless they have had extreme lack of regular oil changes and valve adjustment. I think the 400ex is caused by how many moving parts are in the valvetrain. Rocker arms and sub rocker arms. The 450r i think is because its a shim and bucket design where the cam pushes against the valve directly. As all heads of this design i have heard are very noisy. Could be people dont do math well and dont shim them correct also? My .02

[retro 2,037]

I think you're right @SlammedRanger. You have a lot of experience with sport quads so you know.... my only experiences with them are seeing them parked next to the tavern & throwin' roosters leaving. 🙂

[jeepwm69 2,628]

The cam decompressors tend to tick on some of the newer bikes.  Has driven many a man crazy on the 05-11 500's, me being one of them.