This are questions to all those owners who have experienced CCT failures & to all those who know what engine noises are acceptable on the VTR.
1. CCT failure never experienced one as yet since mine are manuals.
If they do fail does the knocking/rattling occur from idle thoughout the rev range? Does it sound like a Duke on a good day ie like a bag of nails?
2. General valve tapping/knocking.
I have been lead to believe from various mechanics that faint valve tapping/knocking which dissapates as the revs rise is normal and is due to the slack in the cam chain been taken up as engine load is increased. Is this theory true?
Please keep this thread tidy as the answers could be handy as a diagnosis tool
Acceptable Engine Noises
- benny hedges
- Posts: 6110
- Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:09 pm
- Location: Warrington
Re: Acceptable Engine Noises
camchain tensioner failure.... you will know instantly.
it isnt a faint tapping, it sounds like a robot t rex eating manhole covers.
clutch rattle is noticeable at idle, as is slack on the oil pump drive chain, which has no tensioner and is slack as crouton (note i typed crouton deliberately there to fool the anti swear police)
valve clearance rattle.... shims.... noticeable throughout the rpm range but in reality you will only hear it at low rpm as the engine / airbox & zorst noise gets louder with higher revs.
tbh if you are not sure if something is about to break, ride it harder, then it definately will break and it will be easier to diagnose.
worst thing you can do is ask a honda dealer or other spurious mechanic as he will tell you the worst in order to glean money from you... as much as possible.
i genuinely feel sorry for people with no mechanical know-how but then again it's you're own fault for not having a go.
these engines are real easy to work on, albeit a bit inaccessible in parts.
if you think they are noisy, go park next to an idling air cooled ducati.
it isnt a faint tapping, it sounds like a robot t rex eating manhole covers.
clutch rattle is noticeable at idle, as is slack on the oil pump drive chain, which has no tensioner and is slack as crouton (note i typed crouton deliberately there to fool the anti swear police)
valve clearance rattle.... shims.... noticeable throughout the rpm range but in reality you will only hear it at low rpm as the engine / airbox & zorst noise gets louder with higher revs.
tbh if you are not sure if something is about to break, ride it harder, then it definately will break and it will be easier to diagnose.
worst thing you can do is ask a honda dealer or other spurious mechanic as he will tell you the worst in order to glean money from you... as much as possible.
i genuinely feel sorry for people with no mechanical know-how but then again it's you're own fault for not having a go.
these engines are real easy to work on, albeit a bit inaccessible in parts.
if you think they are noisy, go park next to an idling air cooled ducati.
You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when posting something which you later rely on in quote. Anything you do say may be ripped to sh*t.
-
- Posts: 928
- Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:58 pm
Re: Acceptable Engine Noises
I'd like to take this oppertunity to state, for the record, I like the way Benny thinks.benny hedges wrote:
tbh if you are not sure if something is about to break, ride it harder, then it definately will break and it will be easier to diagnose.



And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes, I'll see you on the dark side of the moon.
History:....CZ125....RXS100.....Lifan LF125-14F.....Suzuki GSXR750
Current:...1999 VTR FIRESTORM!
History:....CZ125....RXS100.....Lifan LF125-14F.....Suzuki GSXR750
Current:...1999 VTR FIRESTORM!
Re: Acceptable Engine Noises
I wish I could tempt you up to my neck of the woods benny before I go to this dealer 

Re: Acceptable Engine Noises
Tempting Benny into the woods might, I suppose, take your mind off you bike problems........
But he's making a lot of sense, once an item's failed it's easy to spot.
Could I suggest that you ask for someone nearby to meet up and give you their opinion?
Riding other people's bikes is a good way to reassure you that, actually, yours is probably ok.

But he's making a lot of sense, once an item's failed it's easy to spot.
Could I suggest that you ask for someone nearby to meet up and give you their opinion?
Riding other people's bikes is a good way to reassure you that, actually, yours is probably ok.
It's not falling off, it's an upgrade opportunity.
Re: Acceptable Engine Noises
I'm surprised that no ones said ''Brmmm Brmmmm'' yet. 

Making up since 2007, sometimes it's true...Honest...
- smokerider
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:01 am
Re: Acceptable Engine Noises
Hi !
My VTR has been giving a fluffing kind of valve noise for some time, like 3-4000 km. Sadly 2 weeks ago I found out why.
When I came home from a strowl my engine suddenly sounded like a Ford Taunus or Opel Astra with worn cams.
Instinctly I ordered new CCT's, and got to the job when they arrived. As described elsewhere in the forum, it was the front cylinder who had the failing CCT.
The sping inside had not broken, it was just worn and soft, compared to the new part. The inlet valve cam had jumped one tooth, and because of the chain's
lacking tension this in addition to the one tooth has caused my inlet valves to touch the piston and take some damage.
After the repair the engine runs nice at idle speed, but when I rev it, knocking noises appear on the front cylinder, which I suspect to be the noise of bent valves.
So the advice would be : If these extra sounds appear, check/replace the CCT's, it's a cheap insurance for you engine.
PS! If anyone could confirm my suspicion on the bent valves, it would be helpful, as I haven't ordered replacement parts yet.
My VTR has 53000 kms, would new valves and top head gasket be the only parts needed, or do I have dig deeper in my wallet and replace more parts when the
cylinderhead is on the workbench anyway ?
My VTR has been giving a fluffing kind of valve noise for some time, like 3-4000 km. Sadly 2 weeks ago I found out why.
When I came home from a strowl my engine suddenly sounded like a Ford Taunus or Opel Astra with worn cams.
Instinctly I ordered new CCT's, and got to the job when they arrived. As described elsewhere in the forum, it was the front cylinder who had the failing CCT.
The sping inside had not broken, it was just worn and soft, compared to the new part. The inlet valve cam had jumped one tooth, and because of the chain's
lacking tension this in addition to the one tooth has caused my inlet valves to touch the piston and take some damage.
After the repair the engine runs nice at idle speed, but when I rev it, knocking noises appear on the front cylinder, which I suspect to be the noise of bent valves.
So the advice would be : If these extra sounds appear, check/replace the CCT's, it's a cheap insurance for you engine.
PS! If anyone could confirm my suspicion on the bent valves, it would be helpful, as I haven't ordered replacement parts yet.
My VTR has 53000 kms, would new valves and top head gasket be the only parts needed, or do I have dig deeper in my wallet and replace more parts when the
cylinderhead is on the workbench anyway ?
- cliveyandrews
- Posts: 1041
- Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:01 pm
- Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire
- Contact:
Acceptable Engine Noises
CCTs = Takka Takka Takka!!!
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Audi, Vide, Tace
aurantiacus tempestas es ocius
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Audi, Vide, Tace
aurantiacus tempestas es ocius
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