1500 valve chatter

[vcdc]

My 1995 1500 on cold startup has valves pinging. I have to have it fully warmed up to ride or the pinging does not go away. After a long warm up, runs like normal. Today I was running down the interstate about 30 miles doing 70-75, when I got off the pinging was real loud. This is the second time this has happened at highway speeds. After letting it sit and cool down, I rode it home on back roads without issue. MY question is "Is there any adjustments or repairs that can be done to alleviate this problem?" BTW the Wing over 228K miles on it. Right now for the first time in 26+ years I cannot depend on it to get me home.

[WingAdmin]

My 1995 1500 on cold startup has valves pinging. I have to have it fully warmed up to ride or the pinging does not go away. After a long warm up, runs like normal. Today I was running down the interstate about 30 miles doing 70-75, when I got off the pinging was real loud. This is the second time this has happened at highway speeds. After letting it sit and cool down, I rode it home on back roads without issue. MY question is "Is there any adjustments or repairs that can be done to alleviate this problem?" BTW the Wing over 228K miles on it. Right now for the first time in 26+ years I cannot depend on it to get me home.

If the valves are not pumping up, causing excessive lash (and tapping), it can be from the ports in them being plugged with oil sludge.

First thing I would do is dump a can of Seafoam in the crankcase, then go ride (gently) for an hour or so. This will help dissolve the sludge deposits in the crankcase. Drain the oil and refill with fresh oil. You may have to do the whole procedure twice. When I last did this, I was astounded by the huge chunks of black goo that came plopping out of my oil drain port.

[vcdc]

I did as wingadmin suggested and siphoned out 16oz of oil and added a bottle of Seafoam. Then rode it conservatively for a few hours, changed the oil and filter and repeated the process. No more valve pinging even when cold startup. Thanks wingadmin

[WingAdmin]

I did as wingadmin suggested and siphoned out 16oz of oil and added a bottle of Seafoam. Then rode it conservatively for a few hours, changed the oil and filter and repeated the process. No more valve pinging even when cold startup. Thanks wingadmin

That's great! You should likely notice a bit more power as well, with the valve lash correct.