Knocking noises; vibrations in the handlebar; oil sipping at valve lid gasket

[pekingduck]

Welcome TheLegend.  Vibration is a topic I am very familiar with.  Particularly the higher frequency vibrations of inline fours.  Vibration affects everyone differently, so the problem may not be in the bike, but rather within our own senses.  If so, it is a characteristic that must be accepted.  

Whenever I jump on my CB1100EX, I am immediately aware of the vibration, especially compared to my Triumph Bonneville 865 and V-Strom 650s, whose lower frequency vibes do not affect me at all.  I have owned many inline fours, from 1975 CB400F, 1996 Bandit 600, 1992 Katana 750, 1997 Nighthawk 750, 2004 FZ-1, and 2013, 2014, and 2017 CB1100s - all vibrated annoyingly to me.  On longer rides, I keep looking for a taller gear to put it in. 

As far as the idle sound, I would consider it normal - large capacity air-cooled four are noisy.

[Cormanus]

TheLegend, pekingduck is one of the forum's legendary mechanical gurus to whom we all pay attention.

Just to add to what he's said, handlebar vibration was an oft discussed topic in the early days of the cb1100forum.com. You should find a search, using the terms 'handlebar' and 'vibration' rewarding. A sample of threads that discuss the problem are:

https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=4393
https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=8331
https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=1331
https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=8902
https://cb1100forum.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2200

Good luck.

[peterbaron]

I just came back home from a 5000+ km trip and reviewed this thread over and over again including Legend's complaints and all responses, posts, feedback, suggestions from Max, m in sc, pekingduck and my own.
I have lots of respect for Max, m in sc, pekingduck and few others for their moto knowledge and skills, and this is why I value their judgement in diagnosis.
I also took a deep look at this beautiful RS and I don't see any tampering with its engine at all, so everything looks OEM.
I am hearing-impaired and use hearing aids daily.
I played the "noisy" audio clip placed on YT by Legend several times, increasing and decreasing the volume of my hearing aids.
The audio is being transferred to my hearing aid directly by Bluetooth, so there is no outside interference.
I played it with a few different hearing aid programs like automatic, restaurant, music and tv to get as much out of them as I could.

Then, I went to my 2014 DLX with 34,000 kms and recorded an identical video during cold start /ambient +22*C, (bike was sitting for almost 3 weeks) bringing camera/mic closer and further from the idling engine and including walking around, exactly like Legend did.
The second video I took was after riding 25 km, so the engine was fully warmed up.

I then played all three videos over and over again while I was tuning my ears and brain to the engine "noises"
Finaly, I asked my son to play all videos randomnly for few more times without telling me whether my own or Legend's was being played...... and as a few of us mentioned, I cannot hear any abnormal engine noise of this RS.
A few of us pointed out that some vibration and noises are normal characteristics of our CB1100s, and some riders may like it more or less.
Makes no sense to compare other motorcycles with the CB1100 as every bike is of a different liking and characteristic.

Legend's statement "Used, direct from owner with service book full maintenance till 8.800 now is 10.000 km....I ride it a little ; No sign of drop or accident, is Tip-Top really" indicates that this bike was ridden by Legend for about 1200 kms without any engine failure.
This is not my diagnose, as I cannot personaly touch, test and ride this beautiful RS but it is my final and best opinion I can provide so far.
One may agree or disagre in part or in whole with my or other's opinions.
Legend, please remember that before you or your mechanic starts digging in this bike, make sure you all know what you are looking for and have sufficient knowledge in taking it apart, because if you don't, the final results might be devastating to you and your bike.

Additional and general info: air cooled multi cylinder engines with multi valve per cylinder, made out of aluminium are the most noisy compared with cast iron and two valve per cylinder fluid jacket engines.
In addition, GDI / Gasoline Direct Injectioin engines add even more noise.

Legend YT:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dW0LAVtHDrc

My test #1 , engine cold, ambient +22*C, bike was parked for 3 weeks:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GyXiUoSG1...u_FdkNx5Tz

My test #2, engine fully warmed up and after 25 km ride:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3lZiFrQGV...AtXAlYLmMA

[Cormanus]

Nice work, peterbaron, and generous too.

[rdprdp01]

Legend, I hope the great info PeterBaron shared will help you with your diagnostic and find the proper response. One such response may be to accept that is just the way your motorcycle sounds and rides.

PekingDuck provided great insight about vibration on a CB1100, too. .

This thread has inspired me to start my motorcycle and compare its sound to the recordings posted on this thread. I may even drive a little more aggressively to see if I can sense a change in vibration from what I am accustomed to.

Have a great weekend. David

[pdedse]

I just came back home from a 5000+ km trip and reviewed this thread ...

Sounds interesting! Do we get any details?

[Cormanus]

Mine is an old 5-speed, but there's certainly a vibration in the bars once it gets up to around 4,000 RPM.

[peterbaron]

I just came back home from a 5000+ km trip and reviewed this thread ...

Sounds interesting! Do we get any details?

It will come in a separate thread with pics and map only.

[TheLegend]

I just came back home from a 5000+ km trip and reviewed this thread over and over again including Legend's complaints and all responses, posts, feedback, suggestions from Max, m in sc, pekingduck and my own.
I have lots of respect for Max, m in sc, pekingduck and few others for their moto knowledge and skills, and this is why I value their judgement in diagnosis.
I also took a deep look at this beautiful RS and I don't see any tampering with its engine at all, so everything looks OEM.
I am hearing-impaired and use hearing aids daily.
I played the "noisy" audio clip placed on YT by Legend several times, increasing and decreasing the volume of my hearing aids.
The audio is being transferred to my hearing aid directly by Bluetooth, so there is no outside interference.
I played it with a few different hearing aid programs like automatic, restaurant, music and tv to get as much out of them as I could.

Then, I went to my 2014 DLX with 34,000 kms and recorded an identical video during cold start /ambient +22*C, (bike was sitting for almost 3 weeks) bringing camera/mic closer and further from the idling engine and including walking around, exactly like Legend did.
The second video I took was after riding 25 km, so the engine was fully warmed up.

I then played all three videos over and over again while I was tuning my ears and brain to the engine "noises"
Finaly, I asked my son to play all videos randomnly for few more times without telling me whether my own or Legend's was being played...... and as a few of us mentioned, I cannot hear any abnormal engine noise of this RS.
A few of us pointed out that some vibration and noises are normal characteristics of our CB1100s, and some riders may like it more or less.
Makes no sense to compare other motorcycles with the CB1100 as every bike is of a different liking and characteristic.

Legend's statement "Used, direct from owner with service book full maintenance till 8.800 now is 10.000 km....I ride it a little ; No sign of drop or accident, is Tip-Top really" indicates that this bike was ridden by Legend for about 1200 kms without any engine failure.
This is not my diagnose, as I cannot personaly touch, test and ride this beautiful RS but it is my final and best opinion I can provide so far.
One may agree or disagre in part or in whole with my or other's opinions.
Legend, please remember that before you or your mechanic starts digging in this bike, make sure you all know what you are looking for and have sufficient knowledge in taking it apart, because if you don't, the final results might be devastating to you and your bike.

Additional and general info: air cooled multi cylinder engines with multi valve per cylinder, made out of aluminium are the most noisy compared with cast iron and two valve per cylinder fluid jacket engines.
In addition, GDI / Gasoline Direct Injectioin engines add even more noise.

Legend YT:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dW0LAVtHDrc

My test #1 , engine cold, ambient +22*C, bike was parked for 3 weeks:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GyXiUoSG1...u_FdkNx5Tz

My test #2, engine fully warmed up and after 25 km ride:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3lZiFrQGV...AtXAlYLmMA

First, Thank you very much Peterbaron for your detailed and thoroughly made analysis and thanks everybody here who care about my problem! Sorry for delay but I was in holyday so no news. Be very sure that I will not proceed to open the engine till I do not find the reliable/trustful mechanic and acumulate myself all the knowledge needed about this engine by your courtesy and others; of course finding the exact cause first. I will come back with a more accurate and longer video about that knocking; I recall thanking you again for your trustful opinion, but, excuse me I am honestly still worried about that inappropriate noise, who shouldn't be there... it's much too young to have that knocking 
PS: the vibrations and oil sipping now are secondary to me.

[rdprdp01]

This kind of collaboration is exactly what the Forum fosters. TheLegend, I am sure you will get things where they need to be. If we can help along the way, please reach out. There is a lot of talent on this Forum. David