Motorcycle Repair: 1989 Goldwing gl1500, honda tech, cam timing


Question
QUESTION: I sent an email earlier this week about my bike. You told me to check the timing and the compression. Both are fine, any other thoughts?
Kirk

ANSWER: Kirk,
  You say that pulling off the wires one at a time makes no difference in the way it runs? Is this at idle only, or all the time.  Will  it still run good at higher rpms?  Ive got a friend that worked at the Honda dealer for 20+ years...Shoot me back the answers to my questions please , then I will run this whole deal past him ....maybe between the two of us we can get you back to a good running bike(or trike..lol)

Have a good weekend
D

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: At an idle, pulling the wires has no effect, on the right side of the motor. It still runs terrible. At a higher idle, say 3000 rpms, pulling the wires, you can hear the cylinders drop off, on all six.
Thanks for your time.
Kirk

ANSWER: Kirk,
  What I asked you to do was check the compression on all six and let me have the numbers and to check the cam timing which is separate from ignition timing. I just got off the phone with the Honda tech and this is what we discussed..

1.  There is absolutely nothing that would have caused fuel to have been shut off to only three of the cylinders on just one bank , and the fact that it trys to run at higher revs leads us to believe that fuel is present.
2.  nothing shuts off spark to just three cylinders and the fact that pulling wires at higher r's  has an effect leads us to believe spark is present,
3. This leaves cam timing...this will affect all three on one side and if you are only off by a tooth, will still run on all six at the higher r's.  With one cam off, the bike will idle poorly, if at all ....

  If you are getting any popping thru the exhaust or intake when the bike is running, there is another indication that the cam is off , and quite possible you have bent a valve or two...thus the need for a compression test and a comparison of the numbers from the good side to the bad side.....YOu may have good compression but still be 10-15 pounds less on the bad side than on the good side....

  You need to measure the cylinders and record the findings ...all cylinders should be within 10 % of each other...you should find that your "bad" side is off...then pull your belt cover and check your cam belt timing.....I know this is a pain , especially with all of the fairing in the way.....but please remember, I am only as good as the information that you give me, you are my eyes and ears

Please let me know what you find

D

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have checked the cam timing. It is spot on. I will have to get back to you with the compression numbers. I, and others, agree with you, that it sounds like I bent a valve, or more. This answer sounds to be the most appropriate thought going. There is spark, I found that out in a most shocking way. And there is fuel. I have checked the plugs and they are wet. So all in all I am leaning hard towards the bent valve. As soon as I get the compression numbers though I will get them to you for further thoughts. Thank you for your time thus far, you have been a great help.

Kirk

Answer
KIrk,
 Do a leak down test on your problem side .  This should reveal any bent valves...but the compression test should also reveal some discrepancies.  Here is an idea from way  out in left field that I would check on...I dont know how the cam gear is affixed to the cam. If it is keyed , or pinned, check and make sure that whatever "fixes" the cam to the gear is not sheared...maybe a crazy idea on my part, but may be worth a peek .....


Good luck

D