CX500 GL500 650 Global

Not sure what happened I was out riding and enjoying the countryside. Everything seemed to be going nicely. I think my speeds topped out about 50 mostly cruising around 40-45 MPH. I turned on to one of the major roads heading for home, about 2 miles to go and suddenly I was getting no power. I had the throttle wide open and could not accellerate past about 35MPH. Then she pretty much died on me. I was able to safely pull over to the shoulder. She smelled hot. and would not crank over again. I waited a couple of minutes, Still no crank. I pulled the choke out a bit and got her running. Drove about a 1/4 mile to the next traffic light and she died again. Got her started and nursed her the last half a mile or so to the neighborhood. I could not get her up past about 30 MPH. Then she died again turning on to my street. She started up then I got to my drive way she died again. I just pushed her in the garage.

Another note: it would die when I pulled in the clutch lever. Like once the load was taken off the engine.

Im not even sure where to begin....The left side does sound like maybe something broke. (sounds like marbles in a can)

Some things that have been suggested:

Low Fuel Flow - Fuel is flowing freely
Low Oil or coolant - Plenty of both, pulled valve covers and there is oil on the valve train parts.
CamChain - I have not looked into this yet. I need information on how to check or verify this.

It doesn't sound good

Did the oil warning light ever come on?

The oil warning only came on once stalled out. Went right back off when it was running.

It does sound like something had caused an engine failure.The fact that it stops once the load has been removed can point to a partial engine seizure and the fact you say it sounds like a Can of Marbles.I know from experience about engine seizures.If this is the case it's best to start looking for a cheap running engine.Stripping and re-building the engine is time consuming but not,"Rocket Science" and I've helped several CX/GL owners do it right up from the Crank shaft.
Not long after I got my 1st Cx the engine seized.This was the catalyst for me relearning my spanner skills after many years off the road.

I don't think anything seized up. I was able to turn the crank and everything seemed to turn freely. and the sound was not there on rotation at that low speed.

It's the,"Rattles" that are worrying me.Hand cranking it won't tell properly.If you started the engine and it made,"Any" unusual noise then stop it!straight away.I suspect it's an engine out job if there is any unusual noise.

I did a compression test last night. I know it isn't accurate because I did it with the engine cold, because I didn't want to cause further damage.

The Right side tested about 110PSI the left side about 65-70 PSI. I did not notice the clanky sound while cranking the engine with the starter.

I am really discouraged at this point. I don't have a lot of time to sit down and trouble shoot it, and I don't really have money to pay to get it fixed right now. I was really looking forward to riding it through this season then working on it over the winter. Now it looks like it will be sitting for a while.

I'm truly sorry that you have had this misfortune.It is not worth going to any motorcycle shops for repairs as they don't want to touch these older bikes and also charge a premium.Keep your eyes peeled on Ebay for a cheap running engine or Craiglist.
One of the disadvantages of being in the US is it's vast area.Here in the UK it's never too far to go and get an engine,even a rough running one.
If you have never changed an engine on one of these even a novice with a little common sense and the manual and access to the forums can do one in an afternoon.

OK,
I finally got some free time this morning and did the valve adjustment again. I really took my time with it trying to get it right. Then I followed the step to adjust the cam chain tensioner.

I am wondering though, all you do with the tensioner is loosen the bolt, then tighten it back up? that seems overly simple.

So after I did the adjustments, I checked the compression again (with a cold engine) and the compressions were closer. I read 90 PSI on the left and 110PSI on the right.

I guess I will finish putting it back together and try starting her up.

Buttoned her back up and started her. Valve adjustment did not fix the problem.

It is making a knocking noise. I guess it is in the bottom end because everything seemed fine with the top end.