Hallo guys.
Hi Radek
Please help me to identify such problems:
1) When starting the bike cold there seems to be a clicking noise in the left crankcase which disappears when engine gets warm. Here is a little video of it (check the description as well):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-gdwUVApcE.
What could this be and could it be a serious problem?
How many kilometers on the odometer? It's hard to hear, it sounds to me like the plastic cover of the gear lever/front sprocket protection is a bit loose. Did you check the bolts? Does it stop when you touch this piece of plastic while idling?
It could as well be a worn out camshaft chain, but this really depends on the odometer.
2) When I depress the clutch lever so that the clutch is disengaged there is a little rattling sound in the right crankcase. After adjusting clutch lever to 10-15mm of freeplay (around 1/2") the rattling disappears when lever is fully depressed, but is present when the lever is only halfway depress, although at this point clutch is fully disengaged. What could this be and could it be a serious problem?
This sounds pretty normal and I think all you hear is the difference in tension at the clutch section. Please mind, it's a V-Twin and much more rough running compared to a 4-cylinder in line.
3) How can you actually see the level of coolant in the overflow tank? The tank is no where near transparent - I cannot see through it, so I don't know the actual level of the coolant, although at this point it seems that the coolant is beyond "upper" mark. How should I gauge it and should I empty the tank a bit on a fully warm engine so that it is just under "upper" mark?
The best way to check your coolant level as at the right radiator. Let the engine cool down and be careful while removing the cap on the radiator (use a rag to protect your hands, unless you are really really sure the engine is completely cooled down i.e. let it rest overnight). You should see coolant almost directly under the cap.
The reservoir below the seat is a 'reserve' and 'overflow' which is only used when needed. It should be transparant, but removing it is a
bitch bit challenging because you will need to remove many many parts. Unscrew the cap, look into the reservoir. Make sure the coolant is clear blue or yellow. It should not be brown(ish) or not be black(ish).
4) There seems to be undoubtedly distinguishable engine resistance with kind of a deep engine sound when I let off the throttle after acceleration at mid to high rpm's (doesn't matter how fast is the acceleration) - is this normal? I ask this because the only previous bike I had was Honda Dominator NX650 which I rebuild before really riding it and I don't remember that it had such a strong engine resistance (braking) while de-accelerating, so this makes me wonder is it normal on a XL650V? Anyhow this seems to be comming of the front end of the bike (particularly from engine), although I might be off and it could be something else, like chain or something, although chain set is pretty much new and chain slack with rider on the bike is 35mm as per manual.
A domi 650 is a single-cylinder with an even higher compression, meaning even more engine braking compared to a Transalp... in normal conditions. Sounds a bit like it's too lean on fuel or bad carb syncing. Did you check the airfilter already? Again...odometer...? Could as well be valve clearance which requires adjusting, or something related to the exhaust/catalyzer.
Anyhow everything else on the bike looks good. The only other thing is that both front discs are around 3,75mm in thickness, so hopefully I will get at least a full season out of them (brake pads are all like new).
I suspect your transalp has at least > 80.000km on the odometer, reading about the worn front discs. If this is the case, I suggest visiting a Honda dealer or specialist to listen to your engine as well. They sometimes even listen to your engine with a doctors stethoscope and find out what is wrong
It looks (and sounds) like a nice a bike. If you treat it properly, it will pay off. I know people owning a Transalp with over 200.000km on the odometer, it's a very reliable bike. I even think the 650 is the most reliable of all Transalp types made so far.
Good luck with your Transalp and please keep us posted about your issues