Rattle knocking from front of motor - timing

[NOLA VFR]

Hello:

I did not find anything on point searching so here is my issue/question:

I pulled my bike into the garage after a short ride. Engine warmed up. I took my helmet off to put the bike away. Then I heard a rattle - seemed to be in some type of rhythm - knock, knock, knock - pause - knock, knock, knock. etc. I used the old rod “stethoscope” check putting an aluminum rod against the motor at different spots to try to isolate the sound. It seems to be from the front of the motor – right side. I’ve never been into one of these motors but it looks like the timing cover. Has anyone else had this experience on know what this might be?

[park800]

I have the identical bike but can't say I have ever heard that sound you are refering to. How many miles does yours have on it?

[NOLA VFR]

I have the identical bike but can't say I have ever heard that sound you are refering to. How many miles does yours have on it?

I just turned 5000 miles. Today was the first time I've noticed the noise. Its relatively faint but noticable. You have to get down in the front right side to really hear it. Pressing the aluminum rod on my ear is how I really picked up the sound and figured out where it appears to be coming from.

[NOLA VFR]

With only one reply to my question, I guess I'm bringing the bike to the dealer to have it checked. If there are an more thoughts please let me know.

[NOLA VFR]

Well, i brought the bike to the dealer. It made the niose for one mechanic and then not for the second. They said that if something was wrong that it would be constant noise. I'm fmiliar with the valve rattle. This was different. Any ideas. I'd love to hear replies that it is normal....

[Lgn001]

Does it go away if you pull in the clutch lever, either in neutral or in gear?

[NOLA VFR]

Does it go away if you pull in the clutch lever, either in neutral or in gear?

No, it continued with the clutch pulled in. I did not try it in gear. I'll give it a shot when I get home. It seemed to go away though before the second mechanic listened to it this morning. I'm pretty sure it comming from the front cam cover. I checked all around the motor with an aluminum rod against my ear. The cam cover seemed to be it.

[darionscard]

Please do post if you find out what this is. Mine's started to make a noise I'd initially expect to be a rod knock except that it doesn't always do it and it's not something that happens under load. I've tried the old 'hold the brake and give gas' method to verify it and it won't do it there. Also it seems to go away if the bike is moved from side to side. I've had days where it won't do it at all then days where it does it just from my 10 min ride to/from work.

[jmt256]

Sounds like you may have a bad cam chain tensioner. A similar noise on my old Kawasaki turned out to be just that. I'm no mechanical engineer but I believe the sound is caused by an under tensioned chain slapping against the valve cover the same way a loose drive chain can against slap the underside of the swing arm when you are running at light throttle/coasting. Do a search on the forum for cam chain tensioner replacement. Your mileage is much less than most people who encounter the problem (usually around 30,000) but then again, Honda V4 cam chain tensioners have been problematic for almost 30 years.

Hope this helps

[dogman]

What oil are you running?
I would try running a 10w40 semi synthetic, eg Mobil or Motul before I started to panic.
I doubt it would be anything serious at your mileage.

[crustyrider]

not in the 86s no chain gear driven cams...... did they go back to chaind driven cams? if so what year?

[NorcalBoy]

not in the 86s no chain gear driven cams...... did they go back to chaind driven cams? if so what year?

Crusty...If you want to start a war, you don't do it by throwing firecrackers, you, of all people, should know this doctrine. *End Threadjack*

[TOE CUTTER]

It may be worth pulling the clutch cover for an inpection. Had a noise as described and for what ever reason one on the bolts in the starter clutch had come unscrewed and was hitting the clutch cover.May be as simple as that.

[NOLA VFR]

Thanks for the input. I actually started this thread months ago and the noise continues - no better, no worse.

I'm bringing the bike to the shop next Tuesday - under warranty. I'll let ya'll know what they say.

[VIFFER RIDER]

Does it go away if you pull in the clutch lever, either in neutral or in gear?

Ya mine makes some rattling / vibrations when i let the clutch out in neutral and goes away when i pull the clutch in. I always thought this was odd but i was told its normal on the VFR.

[NOLA VFR]

Ya mine makes some rattling / vibrations when i let the clutch out in neutral and goes away when i pull the clutch in. I always thought this was odd but i was told its normal on the VFR.

THe sound does not change - clutch in or out. I dropped it off at the shop this morning. THe mechanic actually heard the noise before I left. I post the outcome.

[darionscard]

any luck? What was the verdict? Bad tensioner?

[plasma]

Hello:

I did not find anything on point searching so here is my issue/question:

I pulled my bike into the garage after a short ride. Engine warmed up. I took my helmet off to put the bike away. Then I heard a rattle - seemed to be in some type of rhythm - knock, knock, knock - pause - knock, knock, knock. etc. I used the old rod “stethoscope” check putting an aluminum rod against the motor at different spots to try to isolate the sound. It seems to be from the front of the motor – right side. I’ve never been into one of these motors but it looks like the timing cover. Has anyone else had this experience on know what this might be?

It may be the flapper valve just under the tank at front of bike.

Plasma.