i appreciate it is a drawn out subject with vtr firestorms, i was after some feedback reference auto ccts, mine is fitted with originals and keeping tension as designed?
if original ccts were so bad why didnt Honda have a major recall,
also vtr firestorms are not the only bike with auto ccts why havent they got such a bad reputation as the vtr??
ccts reliability???
Re: ccts reliability???
it appears the design of a honda with two huge pistons gives them a hard time....Hondas record over the years with all things camchain or camchain related, lets say aint the greatest lol....
the older i get,the faster i was 
Re: ccts reliability???
If yours are working fine, you're not alone, they mostly work ok. The problem is that when they fail, the plunger retracts and the chain becomes slack enough so that the chain can ride over teeth on the cam sprocket.
On most other engines the chain length isn't enough to allow the chain to ride over the teeth. It's only on engines where the design allows sufficient slack where there's a problem.
And the problem arises because when the timing link between cam and crank goes out of it's correct relationship then pistons can, and will, meet valves, causing damage, usually two or four bent valves.
The valves don't retract properly in their seats and this means that the clearances between the top of the valve stem and the cam becomes much larger than normal, hence the noise.
Why haven't Honda done anything about it? They're a business...anyway, other manufacturers have some problems too.
Few bike engines have this problem, usually when a tensioner fails it rattles and that's about it.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that as well as the above, four or three cylinder engines' cams are under equal pressure to rotate clockwise and anticlockwise, so when you remove the cct the cam stays where it is. You put a new one in and away you go.
But with some engines, including the VTR, the valve springs push onto the cam ramps, pushing the cam round. As soon as you remove the CCT the cam can rotate without the crank turning, as the chain runs over the teeth. Then, you stick in a new cct, and as soon as you hit the start button....... crunch time.
On most other engines the chain length isn't enough to allow the chain to ride over the teeth. It's only on engines where the design allows sufficient slack where there's a problem.
And the problem arises because when the timing link between cam and crank goes out of it's correct relationship then pistons can, and will, meet valves, causing damage, usually two or four bent valves.
The valves don't retract properly in their seats and this means that the clearances between the top of the valve stem and the cam becomes much larger than normal, hence the noise.
Why haven't Honda done anything about it? They're a business...anyway, other manufacturers have some problems too.
Few bike engines have this problem, usually when a tensioner fails it rattles and that's about it.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that as well as the above, four or three cylinder engines' cams are under equal pressure to rotate clockwise and anticlockwise, so when you remove the cct the cam stays where it is. You put a new one in and away you go.
But with some engines, including the VTR, the valve springs push onto the cam ramps, pushing the cam round. As soon as you remove the CCT the cam can rotate without the crank turning, as the chain runs over the teeth. Then, you stick in a new cct, and as soon as you hit the start button....... crunch time.
It's not falling off, it's an upgrade opportunity.
Re: ccts reliability???
If you have a search through past forum threads you'll find OEM auto CCTs are like Russian roulette. With failure from as little as 7,000miles (and less) and then some not failing at all in achieving 100,000 miles (but changing them every 35,000 miles)i appreciate it is a drawn out subject with vtr firestorms, i was after some feedback reference auto ccts, mine is fitted with originals and keeping tension as designed?
Goodness knows why Honda didn't do as you ask - Could be because its a pretty random failure that AFAIK hasn't tossed anyone off and killed them. It makes Honda money in parts when repairing the damage when they do fail. Most of the time the failure would only occur mostly outside of warranty period.if original ccts were so bad why didnt Honda have a major recall,
On an auto OEM CCT failure in an IL4 with the multi cylinder timing cycle there is enough tension to give a warning rattle. When it fails on the V-twin it is more likely to do so catastophically without a warning rattle.also vtr firestorms are not the only bike with auto ccts why havent they got such a bad reputation as the vtr??
I'm surprised looking at your joing date in 2014 you haven't seen the posts of new memmbers joining with the bad news of their CCT failing and looking for a fix. Highly recommend you address this known weakness at minimum by doing the stopper mod or fitting Manual tensioners (cue Ade
)It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
VTR Firestorm and other bikes t-shirts
VTR Firestorm and other bikes t-shirts-
Saintsman27
- Posts: 727
- Joined: Wed Nov 07, 2012 9:28 pm
- Location: St Helens , Merseyside
Re: ccts reliability???
The CCT debacle for the Honda Firestorm is unfortunately its " achilles heel " and a strong weakness together
with the electrical rectifier which also falls into that category ... I personally hate the useless sidestand
which is badly designed and needs some thought taking the machine on and off ... the rest of the metal,
plastic , rubber and glass known as the Honda Firestorm is a sound machine with an impressive ride
with safe handling .. you pay your cash and take your chance and there are pages and paragraphs of
keen owners who have fell foul of CCT's and rectifiers ... I have had my VTR over 3 years .. I may change
it soon ..well ...
with the electrical rectifier which also falls into that category ... I personally hate the useless sidestand
which is badly designed and needs some thought taking the machine on and off ... the rest of the metal,
plastic , rubber and glass known as the Honda Firestorm is a sound machine with an impressive ride
with safe handling .. you pay your cash and take your chance and there are pages and paragraphs of
keen owners who have fell foul of CCT's and rectifiers ... I have had my VTR over 3 years .. I may change
it soon ..well ...
Re: ccts reliability???
IIRC a petition was presented to Honda regarding the problem with CCT failures (it was put together by the Superhawk (the Superhawk being the USA Firestorm) forum and signed by members from this site as well. Honda dismissed it though, as they thought it was not a major problem, end of story,dusty1969 wrote:if original ccts were so bad why didnt Honda have a major recall,
Chris.
Re: ccts reliability???
Mmm! Honda is God!sirch345 wrote:IIRC a petition was presented to Honda regarding the problem with CCT failures (it was put together by the Superhawk (the Superhawk being the USA Firestorm) forum and signed by members from this site as well. Honda dismissed it though, as they thought it was not a major problem, end of story,dusty1969 wrote:if original ccts were so bad why didnt Honda have a major recall,
Chris.
SH#T HAPPENS!!!!!!!!
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adewhitmarsh
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:33 pm
- Location: Gloucester
Re: ccts reliability???
I think the problem with auto ccts is that most vtr,s where out of warranty by the time the problems started.i have been in contact with a lot off owner's with this problem, some lucky with minor damage when the auto's fail and some not so lucky with major damage to engine & a big repair bill.Age of bike & mileage seems to not matter.