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

[Cormanus]

My bike doesn't sound quite like that in spite of more than 160,000 kms of determined neglect. Or maybe because of it. That knocking in your engine seems quite pronounced to me.

I don't know whether this will help, https://youtube.com/shorts/kHj4RkKYbdE

Over to people who know what they're talking about.

[TheLegend]

Yep. It's working fine now. I'm going to go listen to my bike then I'll get back to you.

How nice of you, it's always summer, always ready for another ride; here there are only 9* C 

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My bike doesn't sound quite like that in spite of more than 160,000 kms of determined neglect. Or maybe because of it. That knocking in your engine seems quite pronounced to me.

I don't know whether this will help, https://youtube.com/shorts/kHj4RkKYbdE

Over to people who know what they're talking about.

No way, I don't hear that pronounced knocking at all on yours; only the idle seems a bit high to me, doesn't it(on yours)?
Yes is quite pronounced, that's why I'm worried.

[Cormanus]

The idle was high because the bike was cold. It's fine when warm.

[Cormanus]

I'm not a mechanic and don't pretend to know what is causing the noise in your engine or whether it's even a problem, but I have a recent experience to share. I own a boat with an ancient diesel engine. It was serviced recently by a young mechanic who took it upon himself to tighten up the valves which were all loose — his words not mine. It made a truly remarkable difference to the noise the engine makes. I hardly recognised it when I first started it. It is much quieter and a notable knock that was there has disappeared.

I'm sure max, pekingduck, peterbaron, Lord Popgun or others will be able to tell you whether that is a possible explanation.

[TheLegend]

Good morning. Here is the good news. I assert with the greatest respect that PekingDuck and PeterBaron are phenomenal mechanics. I read posts from them and treat those posts like a master mechanics' class. I strongly encourage you to explore their recommendations without deviation.

More good news: you own one of the very best engineered motorcycles that Honda has ever built. Many of the members of this Forum wished they had a CB1100RS because it leans a couple of clicks toward a sport bike relative to other CB1100 Models. Regrettably, we cannot import it into the United States because Honda did not complete the registration process with the United States government to enable it to be licensed. If they had, people on this Forum would be offering to purchase it from you! Hence, have faith and be patient. You have a great motorcycle, and it will in time get to where you want it to be.

I believe you have already received some great coaching. I encourage you to do only one thing at a time and put enough miles on the motorcycle to make a determination about is it right or is it not. Your CB1100 RS should have a smooth, sport ride courtesy of the inline 4 and suspension. It should handle brilliantly courtesy of the weight distribution and braking system. It is already beautiful motorcycle in its current forum.

Let me offer these additions to this thread:

Vibrations: I own a 2017 CB1100EX. it is a more refined, less sport version of your motorcycle. They share many of the same parts and the same engineering. I have absolutely no vibration. However, that was not the case when I purchased the motorcycle.  The prior owner had removed the OEM bar weights from the handlebars because he preferred a different aesthetic. I ordered the entire bar-weight assembly from WeBike Japan and installed them to spec. I also checked the torque for every bolt associated with steering and adjusted accordingly. Most of the vibration disappeared instantly. I would also encourage you to check tire pressure and possibly have the wheels re-balanced.

I did still have two issues left following the bar-end replacement. When I came to a stop or accelerated quickly, I felt minor vibrations. While stopping, I experienced a brake squeal from the front disc brakes. In a move that is incredibly unusual for me, I re-installed a fork brace I had taken off the motorcycle. That non-OEM brace appears to help stabilize the front forks which handle a tremendous amount of weight in those situations. That brace coupled with my natural tendencies to keep everything very clean has eliminated the noise and the vibration I experienced. I am not naturally inclined to move away from OEM designs, but this particularly addition (inexpensive and easy to install) has made a difference on my CB1100EX. I cannot recommend it for your RS, but I can encourage you to consider exploring that option.

Valve-Lid Gasket: It surprises me that you have a leak. It suggests that an inexperienced mechanic worked on your motorcycle. I encourage you or someone you trust to purchase a replacement gasket and install it to spec. I cannot over emphasize the importance of cleaning everything prior to install and using a torque wrench.

Hope my contributions to this Thread help. If my input conflicts with the wise counsel of Lord Popgun, Cormanus, PekingDuck, and PeterBaron, I would defer to them. They have a much longer history than me with a CB1100. My only claim to fame is that I love the CB1100 more than anyone else on this Forum.

Always a good thought with a positive empathetic attitude and I thank you for that!
I didn't know RS wasn't sold in the US either. You know, we always want what we don't have, and when we do have it... 
BTW, I do notice though that there are quite some RS's for sale in the UK and EU compared to EX, wonder why?
Regarding the add-ons, the bike came from DE in almost new condition, with all the revisions done at Honda and without being touched or dropped at all, this was/is clearly visible; the cover gasket is the OEM one, it wasn't installed on afterwards; the only additions made are a 2.5 cm riser and crash-bars both SW-Motech. Consequently it hasn't been repaired or hit. I bought it in winter so I didn't get to ride it enough in order to notice these problems until late in the spring. But, I repeat, these problems cannot be overlooked and it is not a matter of different sensitivity as some try to suggest, the vibrations are at a frequency and amplitude at which you simply cannot ride it comfortably except in the city below 3500 revs or on short rides of max 150-200 km, having to deal with the numb hands and continuous stress of bypassing that 3500-5500 rpm range, is not pleasant at all. Since 99% of owners do not complain about these annoying vibrations+, it seems that only me and 2-3 others pulled the short stick. 
Being rare defects, neither the possible cause nor the solution to fix the problems has been found yet neither by our forum mates nor by the mechanics I visited (around 6 or 7 incl Honda dealers)
By summer I will collect as much data, advice as possible and maybe...   I will manage to bring it to normal operating parameters for a Honda. I'm still stubborn about making it usable, capable of being ridden all day.

#Your bike looks impeccable, ready to be exhibited at EICMA as a model, congratulations!

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I'm not a mechanic and don't pretend to know what is causing the noise in your engine or whether it's even a problem, but I have a recent experience to share. I own a boat with an ancient diesel engine. It was serviced recently by a young mechanic who took it upon himself to tighten up the valves which were all loose — his words not mine. It made a truly remarkable difference to the noise the engine makes. I hardly recognised it when I first started it. It is much quieter and a notable knock that was there has disappeared.

I'm sure max, pekingduck, peterbaron, Lord Popgun or others will be able to tell you whether that is a possible explanation.

For sure valve clearance has a big role in engines run. Even if it wasn't the case because it's only 10.000 km, for sure I will definitely do the adjustment(or check) if I keep opening the OH lid, and change the gasket too.[color=#1f1f1f]

[rdprdp01]

Good morning. How are things progressing? What is left outstanding on the list of items that needed attention? We are all vested in getting your RS where you want it to be. Take care, David

[peterbaron]

Exactly 

[TheLegend]

Good morning. How are things progressing? What is left outstanding on the list of items that needed attention? We are all vested in getting your RS where you want it to be. Take care, David

Good evening! For now, the two old ones: Knocking and vibrations. The situation... unfortunately is the same, unresolved.
The bike is already winterized now, here it's 5-9 degrees Celsius, so for now hibernation; I can only wait, looking fwd with great interest for your opinions and I'm trying to collect as much data as possible so that in the spring I know which direction to take. Thank you for your concern and looking forward for your tips & tricks! All good! G