Honda motorbike dealer issues

This is where our community discusses almost anything! While we're mainly a Cambodia expat discussion forum and talk about expat life here, we debate about almost everything. Even if you're a tourist passing through Southeast Asia and want to connect with expatriates living and working in Cambodia, this is the first section of our site that you should check out. Our members start their own discussions or post links to other blogs and/or news articles they find interesting and want to chat about. So join in the fun and start new topics, or feel free to comment on anything our community members have already started! We also have some Khmer members here as well, but English is the main language used on CEO. You're welcome to have a look around, and if you decide you want to participate, you can become a part our international expat community by signing up for a free account.
talltuktuk
Expatriate
Posts: 160
Joined: Thu Nov 22, 2018 5:18 pm
Reputation: 100
United States of America

Re: Honda motorbike dealer issues

Post by talltuktuk »

beaker wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:12 am That looks like a timing chain adjuster to me with parts of it removed.
That is a very critical part if it fails it could cause catastrophic engine failure.

Image
Yes this looks correct:

Image

He said it needed to be replaced to fix “the noise.” There is a noticeable clicking/tapping noise when running that I keep trying to have them address whenever I have it in for service but they always assure me that it’s normal. I dealt with this on a Kawi dirt bike and replacing the cam tensioner fixed the issue. They also said it was not important to replace it, but if a cam tensioner is failing and making that much noise, it needs to be changed. The drive-it-into-the-ground mentality is so strong here.
Cambodia: where money can buy you absolutely anything except intelligence.
User avatar
beaker
Expatriate
Posts: 1143
Joined: Fri May 30, 2014 8:45 am
Reputation: 202
Location: Ta Khmao
Cambodia

Re: Honda motorbike dealer issues

Post by beaker »

talltuktuk wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:20 am
beaker wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:12 am That looks like a timing chain adjuster to me with parts of it removed.
That is a very critical part if it fails it could cause catastrophic engine failure.

Image
Yes this looks correct:

Image

He said it needed to be replaced to fix “the noise.” There is a noticeable clicking/tapping noise when running that I keep trying to have them address whenever I have it in for service but they always assure me that it’s normal. I dealt with this on a Kawi dirt bike and replacing the cam tensioner fixed the issue. They also said it was not important to replace it, but if a cam tensioner is failing and making that much noise, it needs to be changed. The drive-it-into-the-ground mentality is so strong here.
The valves can't be adjusted properly if it has 'jumped timing' so the timing marks will need to be exposed and checked also. That would be the reason that they have adjusted the valve lash correctly , according to the cam marks, but you still hear them as 'clicking'
"i'm the one who has to die, when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way i want to"
jimi hendrix
andy1
Expatriate
Posts: 430
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2016 8:33 am
Reputation: 115
Korea North

Re: Honda motorbike dealer issues

Post by andy1 »

if it has been rattling for a while i woud also replace the chain and guides.
whatwat
Expatriate
Posts: 748
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 12:30 pm
Reputation: 189
Hong Kong

Re: Honda motorbike dealer issues

Post by whatwat »

That looks like a hydraulic tappet. No adjustment possible.

If the tensioner is faulty you’ll get slap.
Don’t listen to Chinese whispers.
User avatar
Bitte_Kein_Lexus
Expatriate
Posts: 4421
Joined: Sun May 18, 2014 7:32 pm
Reputation: 1325

Re: Honda motorbike dealer issues

Post by Bitte_Kein_Lexus »

It sounds like you're new to the whole Cambodian bike thing. The dealers don't like doing significant work (piston changes, etc). They only do smaller cosmetic stuff and adjustments for the first 20 000km or so. The older the bike, the less likely they are to work on it. The Honda dealer on Monivong is where I go, but as mentioned, they don't really want to open up the bike. It's also awkward as a customer since you need to either hang out there all day or come back same day. They're busy with a lot of people coming in for routine adjustments. I find them good for carb adjustments. I think the most significant thing I ever did there was changing the steering stem bearings. You're better off finding a normal corner mechanic. Results will vary...

More importantly, if you really wanted a tight running bike, so should have bought a new one. It's weird to hear someone intentionally buying a second-hand bike, then complaining about its past history ,along with current issues with said bike. That being said, I also think you also worry too much. It's a bit pointless to do valve adjustments on these bikes. I used to worry like you, but stopped. I do valve check myself on my dirtbike because I don't trust anyone else, but have never done them on my scooter (which has like 40 000km now, bought new). I'm convinced I could run my bike on cooking oil and it would take thousands of km before it would have any adverse effect on it. The tolerances for those valves are probably so big, and the piston compression is looser than a wizard's sleeve. The automatics have a few more finicky issues as far as I know.

If you're really keen on getting your valves adjusted, just find a local mechanic and watch them do it. Either way, avoid the dealer. They sell bikes and do minor adjustments. They don't even stock many parts (plastics etc), you have to get those elsewhere.
Ex Bitteeinbit/LexusSchmexus
User avatar
IraHayes
Expatriate
Posts: 2676
Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 7:38 am
Reputation: 2030
Marshall Islands

Re: Honda motorbike dealer issues

Post by IraHayes »

A tale of Honda build quality.

A long time ago in a far away land a man bought a used CBR6... early 90s model. Just after buying it he found himself out of work but as the bike had been purchased for cash he kept it as his only means of transport.
What followed was 3 years of zero maintenance, part worn tyres and no carb balancing.

After this time a bike mag (Ride i think it was) stepped in and did a full strip down check on every last part.

Long story short. The oil was still within grade, Carbs were well out of balance but easily fixed, valve clearances etc were within tolerance, it required nothing doing except fresh oil and the carbs balancing.

The guy put over 30k miles on the clock in 3 years too.

Seriously, you are stressing over nothing. As others have said... oil changes and air filter are about it.
whatwat
Expatriate
Posts: 748
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 12:30 pm
Reputation: 189
Hong Kong

Re: Honda motorbike dealer issues

Post by whatwat »

Honda wouldn’t repair my mates Honda Icon “Too old”.
His wife has a three year old Dream, bought from them, and he asked them to strip it and clean the centrifuge magneto thing out of sludge, which you’re supposed to do. “No. Just oil and clean bike sir”.
Saying that it’s still going after 60k with no issues and all she does is oil change and get the chain checked and adjusted.

Someone told me the Dreams engine are 50s technology with some tweaks.
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” etc.
Don’t listen to Chinese whispers.
User avatar
Jerry Atrick
Expatriate
Posts: 5410
Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 4:19 pm
Reputation: 3037
Central African Republic

Re: Honda motorbike dealer issues

Post by Jerry Atrick »

Without going full Akira level OCD, I disagree strongly enough with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" ethos espoused above.

Valve checks commonly are called for at 1k, 20k, 40k etc, varying by manufacturer and application.

It's an easy job, takes all of 15 minutes and is the difference between eventual engine failure and a scooter that can run for years and years longer.
whatwat
Expatriate
Posts: 748
Joined: Wed May 01, 2019 12:30 pm
Reputation: 189
Hong Kong

Re: Honda motorbike dealer issues

Post by whatwat »

What’s Akira?
I agree to a degree but I don’t think that logic applies to small capacity scooters/motos. I doubt any motos you see on the road in Cambodia have ever had the valves checked.
I just checked my user manual (Yamaha) and it doesn’t even mention if and when.

True for bigger bikes - say 200cc and up - but then it’ll be obvious because the bike probably won’t start or run rough. Usually the gap closes up not loosens so you’ll often not hear a tapping noise.

I don’t think having incorrect valve clearances means engine failure full stop. Maybe over many months it’ll wear the cylinder bores due to wrong mixture or burn the valves/seats out but that would be easily fixable.
The ethos here is don’t fix it until it fucks up.
Don’t listen to Chinese whispers.
User avatar
Duncan
Sir Duncan
Posts: 8149
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:22 pm
Reputation: 2357
Location: Wonder Why Central

Re: Honda motorbike dealer issues

Post by Duncan »

whatwat wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2019 6:29 pm What’s Akira?
I agree to a degree but I don’t think that logic applies to small capacity scooters/motos. I doubt any motos you see on the road in Cambodia have ever had the valves checked.
I just checked my user manual (Yamaha) and it doesn’t even mention if and when.

True for bigger bikes - say 200cc and up - but then it’ll be obvious because the bike probably won’t start or run rough. Usually the gap closes up not loosens so you’ll often not hear a tapping noise.

I don’t think having incorrect valve clearances means engine failure full stop. Maybe over many months it’ll wear the cylinder bores due to wrong mixture or burn the valves/seats out but that would be easily fixable.
The ethos here is don’t fix it until it fucks up.


What’s Akira?

Not what, but who.


Only google knows more about motorbikes than he does.
Cambodia,,,, Don't fall in love with her.
Like the spoilt child she is, she will not be happy till she destroys herself from within and breaks your heart.
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Ahrefs [Bot], Bing [Bot], Bluenose, cabron, Majestic-12 [Bot], NitNoi, Semrush [Bot], Stravaiger, Username Taken and 1760 guests