Should I overhaul the entire ATC?

[hondajas]

There's this ticking sound from my three wheeler, I adjusted the valves, the cam chain and nothing helped. I'm in a course of power mechanics now so I'm gonna bring my '83 Big Red over there and try to fix the problem. First I'm going to pop open the head and see if that's the problem of ticking, (replace valve springs, rings, anyway) and if not I'll check the cam chain sprocket/guide/tensioner in the bottom end to see if that's the problem. By then the ticking will have been found because it was all looked over.

But while I've got the cam chain all opened up, it's only like 7 more bolts to split the case and check out the tranny and crank. Is it worth cleaning this out anyway even if it's not the problem, becasue it is 20+ years old? Or would I be wasting my time. Like I said I'm in power mechanics so I have all the tools / teacher to help me do this. What do you think?

[Groundworx]

I would say if you are that close, go ahead and do it. It will just save you from having to do it in the future. I don't think there is a lot of problems with the bottom end of Hondas. I guess it is up to you, but I would go ahead and do it if you everything there...

[burg28]

if you have adjusted the valves and cam chain, look at the cam itself and the rockers. these could also be worn.

[hondajas]

That's a good idea, exactly why I'm opening up the head. How often do the tensioner and guide wear out. This trike doesn't have many miles on it, still the original tires, BUT it has MANY hours on it (idling for farming).

[compaqkoci]

i really wouldn't because if you don't have any problems shifting and stuff like that then you still have alot of life left in those parts. but if you due get quite often slipping and such i would but you can always take that stuff apart later when you have all the other stuff back into one piece

[burg28]

on the tensioner and guide if your redoing the top end i would get new ones. If the tensioner has flat spots or shows stress cracks i would get a new one. As for the guide these aren't as bad as the tensioner, yet you still need to inspect for cracks and such. The last thing you want is for the plastic to break

[atckowalski]

Your noise may be caused by play in your cam chain.