I think the Ural is having an engine problem. As part of the 22,500 km service, I had adjusted the valves. On the way home from the university on Friday, I noticed that there was valve noise from the left head. On Friday night, I readjusted the exhaust valve as it was really loose. On Saturday morning it started up easily and it ran great. I rode about 10 miles and the exhaust valve was loose again. Plus one of the cylinders was popping like it was running lean.
George Rahn suggested that I check the compression since it may be a result of a stuck valve. Compression was 135 psi on both cylinders. Which is good. When I restarted the engine, I could hear a random "clanking" sound coming from the engine when the rpm is raised a little past idle. Not good.
So the Ural is parked until I can get it to the dealer in Anchorage. What I need to find out is if he needs the whole bike or just the engine. I suspect the whole bike...
Putting on the Heidenau K60 tires in a warm shop is hard enough. When things are near freezing, I'm just glad that my son was here to help. It took most of the evening to just change the tires. BTW, the oil mess on the floor in the picture is from the Ural weeping oil out of just about every engine gasket when the temperature is around or below 0°F.
I still have three more PBC videos in the queue. Here is #28 that I just uploaded today.
The Beemer looks like a patient on IV.
ReplyDeleteI hope the issues with the Ural are easy and cheap to fix. I assume that will be the end of the PBC vids... :-(
BTW looks like every Alaskan inhabitant was on the road in that video. Nice upbeat music!
No, I intend to continue the PBC videos with the Beemer. Getting out of the driveway everyday will be the only issue.
DeleteLots of things to do on the Beemer to get it ready for winter riding...
Now I need a 'like' button ;-)
DeleteDo you send these videos to your Mom so she can see what she's missing?
ReplyDeleteShe has the link but I don't think she looks very often.
Deleteonly 22500km....shouldn't have any engine problems with that low of mileage. Hopefully something simple.
ReplyDeleteNice to still be under warranty. There has been mention on one of the online forums of a batch of lifters that we're insufficiently hardened. Since there was no metal shavings in the valve cover and the fact that it ran well when the valves are readjusted suggest that it probably isn't the cam.
DeleteOn thinking about it, the sounds is similar to something light like the aluminum pushrods.
Good luck with an easy and quick fix!
ReplyDeleteWe'll see. In the meantime, I think I have everything on the RT ready to go...
DeleteGlad you had a back up ... but that doesn't make it any better does it?
ReplyDeleteA spare is nice to have. But still, I would be happier to just have it as a spare...
DeleteYikes, it is a darn good thing you are mechanically inclined and can work on your own rigs.
ReplyDeleteYou can't have these kind of bikes and not be willing to work on them. I met with a potential Ural owner last week and that was one of the questions he had.
DeleteThat isn't good. But, under warranty is a great thing! Hope it is a quick fix.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like it could be a quick fix. Several on Soviet Steeds are suggesting that it sounds like a known problem with inadequate heat treating of a batch of lifters. Once it starts failing, they fail quickly.
Deletefound gobium's youtube video re lifters...
DeleteYep, it looks pretty straight forward. I had the exhaust, rockers and carb off earlier when I removed the push roods. I could've easily pulled the head off at that point.
Deletere the rocker arms....easy to remove? any caveats? You'd think with as much work as I've witnessed on my urals, I'd remember the process.
DeleteEasy to remove. Same bolts as the head bolts so you may want to remove one at a time. Mickey said that the head gasket is reusable if it isn't damaged. The crash bar needs to come off to clear the head. There is side play in the rocket that isn't there on the BMW. No way the eliminate it that I can see.
Deletethanks Richard. probably be best to order the gaskets involved anyways? As to the sideplay....it's amazing how much "tighter" Beemer equivalents are.....someday, perhaps, the Russian equivalents will be as good.
DeleteBummer RichardM, I hope it turns out to be something that's speedily fixable.
ReplyDeleteWaiting for Mickey to get in to his shop. I'd rather not have to haul the whole rig down to Anchorage. Just the engine or parts through the mail would be preferable. But either way, it probably won't be very quick...
DeleteSorry to hear the Ural is out of commission. I hope everything works out and is an easy fix.
ReplyDeleteI just got off the phone from Ural in Anchorage and he said that it would be fine for me to pull the lifter out and inspect the lifter, follower and the cam. Not too difficult thanks to a video on YouTube.
DeleteHopefully Mickey has the lifters in stock if they need replacement.....ski at triquest is also a good source.
DeleteWe'll see. He wanted me to adjust the valve one more time, ride and remeasure. Then went into detail on how to remove the lifter hopefully without damaging the cylinder base gasket. He also warned me about the fragile aluminum cage on the rod bearings. I.e. no side loads on the rods. Those bearings are not replaceable. The whole crank would need to be replaced.
Delete