Blew up my motor

[TN2Wheeler]

Well, if I were a bit more altruistic I'd be hoping the MSTA Africa Twin would be replacing it.  But alas,  I'm not.  It's mine.

[stevegrab]

As for replacement, I know now why she blew up: to make room in my garage for the AFRICA TWIN! 

Hopefully you can still attend STAR, even if you have to rent a bike in Colorado and then ride the AT home...

    Don

Having the raffle bike ridden home in 2 straight years, that would be pretty amazing

[STLTHMSTA]

The first bad experience I had with a motor was the first used bike I bought. I had it a while when the engine made a big clunk and went silent, coasting to a stop. Luckily I was reaching for the clutch for a shift when it happened as the engine was completely locked up.
The bottom line is the cam chain tensioner gave out or was very worn. Cam jumps time, piston hits valve and your day/week/month is ruined.
I have had 3 more Nighthawk S's after that one and all were trouble free.
So that might be what happened to you, sorry about your luck.  However, this is an example of why I say you should always have a back up. Multiple bikes rock!!      TM

[NinjaBob]

Interesting, Tom! Was it an automatic tensioner?  Since the 09 motor blew I have been busy getting the 08 ready for STAR, swapping the highway pegs, Zumo mount, etc. At 170,000 miles I am confident in the engine with the exception of the cam chain, I wonder how much it has stretched. There is nothing in the periodic maintenance schedule about checking it. I took a look at it and it seems ok.  But since I already had the 09 tensioner out I thought I would put that in the 08 since it only has 30,000 on it. But as I was resetting it per manual instructions the thing fell apart - the piston and spring fell out of the body. It went back together with no problem and I can't see anything wrong with it but that has not happened the 4 times I did the same procedure on the 08 tensioner. (which I put back in the 08). It is a rather simple device and I have never heard of one failing but who knows? I am going to examine it with a magnifying lens and see if I can see anything abnormal.

[STLTHMSTA]

Yes, it was an automatic tensioner as many are. It's really a spring pushing on the shoe that squelches the slop in the chain. There is a ratchet mechanism that keeps it from returning as the pad wears some a little at a time. These have been known to act up but others are trouble free for about forever. Honda Superhawk 996's have been know to be prone to problems among others. Some riders replaced the mechanism with a simple bolt and lock nut adjuster and checked it from time to time manually. It's fairly out in the open especially on in-line 4's with cam chains on the end. Some say the '80's Nighthawks had problems too but I may have written off my experience to a bike not treated well. 
In my case the piston hit a few valves and broke a rod, thus locking up the engine. I'm surprised yours didn't but it doesn't happen every time. TM

[Riverszzr]

Did you ever take this engine out and apart and determine the extent of damage or figure a probable cause?

yeah I know... it was about a year ago now

[NinjaBob]

No I have been busy riding my 4 bikes that still run! Thanks for asking. I will get to it some day.