Engine problems?

Sorry, my german is not very good.

I bought a Honda XBR 500 this winter and started driving a few months ago.
After a lot of shitty luck in m life(lost my job, lost my gf, broke my arm, messed up my foot), all within the timeframe of 3 months, what happens? The honda XBR 500 i'd been looking forward to driving all summer is starting to sound strange(the engine).
A "knocking" sound is heard, like someone knocking with a hammer on the engine, (knock-knock-knock-knock). The sound is heard (and you can feel a slight vibration also) when driving slowly and accelerating, it is especially heard when driving up a slope slowly. I have no clue what this might come from.
Oh another thing, how can you tell when the engine is too hot? Mine gets pretty damn hot quite fast, (if you spit on the engine if goes to steam directly)

Can anyone give me any clue what this migth be? I'm all out of luck.

Hello there.

Mine makes the same sounds in the same situations. At least if I forget to shift down.
It's my bike's protest if I try to accelerate -for example- from 30km/h in 4th or 5th gear.
Please give some more detailed information (like speed and gear when it appears.)
Then we can compare and see if it is "normal" or a real problem.

Sure the engine gets hot. It's aircooled. Try a full-throttle highway-run on a rainy day, then stop somewhere on a resting-place and enjoy the wall of fog you are producing.

Hi Olof ,
the bike usually makes that noise when trying hard to accelerate from low revs in high gears .Tose singles do not like low revs , beside the sound is georgious when cruising at low revs .
But if something is wrong here the easy ones : leaking gasket of exhaust pipe at cylinder head , leaking cylinder head gasket (watch out for oil coming from the head area) .
Check the valve clearance and timing chain tension .

If it is getting worse the bottom end needs to be replaced , but that is unlikely.
By the way , where are you from ? guess sweden .

Take care Chromy

Hello!

Thanks for all the answers!
The noise is heard very clearly in 1st and second gear, and is heard more clearly when accelerating.

And yes, I'm from sweden. I've only seen one other honda XBR in sweden.

Hei Olof,
doesn't sound good , probably you should check the gaskets first .
Maybe CHOICE or Harri do have an idea ?

Come on mates , make your comments .
We can't let a brother suffer.

best regards Chromy

by the way , i sold once a Benelli Tornado 650 to Malmo , have you seen it?

I went to the local MC workshop and its as simple as the chain and the cog(wheel with pins?) that needs to be replaced. They could'nt tell what the real problem was, but when the wheel was spinning the chain went straight, and then there was a click and it went loose. I did'nt think that would be the problem because the chain and back cog is new, but maybe the front cog near the engine is not installed correctly, or maybe that one is old. Its gonna cost around 300 euro to change all of it. I guess thats OK.
Thanks for the help, and I just went to Malmo, but did'nt spot a Benelli Tornado

Thanks!