Hello
I recently bought a motorcycle a 1982 650 honda nighthawk.It has a noise in the engine like a rattle sound.I was wondering if this is the valves or the timing chain,or both.or maybe even something else? Can this be fixed? Please help!!

Thank You Kindly Dave

Dave from Nova Scotia Canada, July 2010

Probably cam chain but could also be a primary chain rattle. IIRC the cam chain tensioner release bolt is on the back of the cylinders, in the middle, just release and retighten the nut.
A primary chain is a different matter, I seem to recall that Honda fitted a tensioner to the 650 which the 500 and 550 versions of the same type engine didn't get, if so your lucky as it could just be stuck. However it is an engine out job to check this so try the cam chain first.

Oddjob, September 2010

cam chain or tensioner.
Yes it can be... wont be cheap but cheaper than letting it go and wrecking your engine.

bb, July 2010