I took my 2003 in for the vaunted valve service and also with hope of fixing a mysterious rattle in the engine. For the past month my engine has developed a rattle when under compression (off the gas). It only happens when the engine is warm and is audible at freeway speeds and ear plugs in. If I pull the clutch (no load on the engine) it goes away. If I hit the gas it goes away.
The local shop does not think its the cam chain tensioner and in fact wouldn't work on the bike. Their recommendation is to move on to another ride because the service cost would be more than the value of the bike (I appreciate the honesty). I'll be looking for a second opinion and am also curious if anyone else has run across this. It sounds like there s a loose dime in the engine when rattling.
I don't think it is the CCT for a simple reason, you stated when you pull the clutch in it goes away. You simply have a noisy clutch which is probably due to a worn clutch outer, it is the part all the clutch plates outer tabs slot into. It maybe another part of the clutch ass but for my money I would place a bet on the clutch, mine rattles the same not as bad as you have described & goes away if I engage clutch. I used to think CCT but since I changed them to manual CCT I know 100% it is my clutch.
A clutch noise in neutral is often mistaken for a CCT. The classic early warning sign for a failing CCT is a rattle on decel. I never check my VFR valves anymore because I just don't care to inflict any harm on my sweet running engine. If I burn a valve I will get a replacement engine. I have other bikes to ride. One of my 5th gens had two tight exhaust valves in the 36K miles I drove it. .001 too tight. Ran great and the valve clearance never got tighter all the time I owned it. Life is way too short to spend worrying about VFR valves (imho, ymmv, didIsayIdon'tgivearatsassaboutvtecvalves?, etc).
I suspect your VFR will be running long after that shop is out of business and one of the top 5 reasons I ride a 6th gen is the service costs are stupid low. One way I rationalize my VFR ownership is sure, I may shorten the life of my engine by not doing valve adjustments (BR has over 100K without any), but by how much? Shorten it to equal the life of every other machine out there maybe? So a VFR with minimal maintenance will last as long as most other models with regular maintenance. And I get to ride a VFR. Case closed.
CCTs are easy to install and changing to manual type is an option if you plan on keeping the bike for 20 more years.
A clutch noise in neutral is often mistaken for a CCT. The classic early warning sign for a failing CCT is a rattle on decel. I never check my VFR valves anymore because I just don't care to inflict any harm on my sweet running engine. If I burn a valve I will get a replacement engine. I have other bikes to ride. One of my 5th gens had two tight exhaust valves in the 36K miles I drove it. .001 too tight. Ran great and the valve clearance never got tighter all the time I owned it. Life is way too short to spend worrying about VFR valves (imho, ymmv, didIsayIdon'tgivearatsassaboutvtecvalves?, etc).
I suspect your VFR will be running long after that shop is out of business and one of the top 5 reasons I ride a 6th gen is the service costs are stupid low. One way I rationalize my VFR ownership is sure, I may shorten the life of my engine by not doing valve adjustments (BR has over 100K without any), but by how much? Shorten it to equal the life of every other machine out there maybe? So a VFR with minimal maintenance will last as long as most other models with regular maintenance. And I get to ride a VFR. Case closed.
CCTs are easy to install and changing to manual type is an option if you plan on keeping the bike for 20 more years.
Keep the VFR. Stay away from shops.
KEB
I like this post. Talk about a positive attitude that values riding over wrenching! And I tend to agree too.
Thanks all. I told the shop that based on what I'd read I thought it was likely a CCT issue. They disagreed based on the fact that the rattle kicks in only after warm up and also while decelerating (noise goes away when accelerating or if I pull the clutch). I don't think it's a clutch issue - I know that subtle knocking sound when waiting for the lights in neutral.
I'll give the cct replacement a shot and will report back. I felt that the shop was either unwilling or incompetent (or both) when it came to addressing this - thanks for confirming my gut feeling! Regardless, there's no f#(#1g way I'm going to sell it at a loss when it's served me so well over the last few years and is still a blast to ride.
On the vfr, the only cct rattle Ive ever experienced was at idle, but the clutch has zero effect on cct rattle. As far as the clutch basket, the vfr is the quietest basket Ive ever had.
BUt cct noise on the 6th gen is the number one noise issue most the time, but you need a stethoscope to know which cct it is, I agree if the clutch changes your noise its not t a cct. MOst cct noise on the vfr, shows up at cold start or shortly after, your noise doesnt happen till full warm, thats no cct noise ive experience on the vfr.
Noises and rattling at specific speeds or RPMs and your description of the sound makes me think a heat shield or piece of bodywork or a kickstand bolt is loose. I'd look at the exhaust first as you say the bike has to be warm for things to start making noise, but it could be anything. And when you pull in the clutch the motor is not under load anymore so things are less likely to resonate if they were strained when in gear. I'd take off some bodywork and start grabbing things and giving them a jiggle before I start tearing into the engine.
Noises and rattling at specific speeds or RPMs and your description of the sound makes me think a heat shield or piece of bodywork or a kickstand bolt is loose. I'd look at the exhaust first as you say the bike has to be warm for things to start making noise, but it could be anything. And when you pull in the clutch the motor is not under load anymore so things are less likely to resonate if they were strained when in gear. I'd take off some bodywork and start grabbing things and giving them a jiggle before I start tearing into the engine.
That's some sage wisdom right there.
Better than my "noise reduction" method of wearing earplugs and cranking up the tunes. Unless I smell it burning anything that goes wrong with a VFR can wait till I get home.
Couple of VFR Facts
In a couple of thousand years when cockroaches rule the earth they will use VFR's to find the last of the twinkies. (By then Eastern Beaver connectors and FJR rectifiers will have come to pass on all VFRs)
Opening up a VFR engine to maintain it is the only reason it would ever break or wear out
The odds of a VFR actually burning a valve are similar to winning Powerball
Ok maybe a little over the top but why ride a 550lb pig of a sportbike if it isn't comfy and reliable? I maintain my stuff at a very high level. I clean and oil my three bike's chains everytime I ride them. I clean the bikes after every ride with distilled water in a spray bottle. I change the oil religously and I do the brake pads and air filter at much quicker-than-recommended intervals. I ride a VFR so I have time to work on my Toyota when I need to. I disagree with the claim they need a lot of maintenance. Ride a VFR with confidence.
Not contradicting anyone, but my CCT noise came when the bike was warm and at idle. And it was loud. I thought it sounded like a Jetta diesel. I was embarrassed to ride it anywhere. I should mention the bike had 33,000 miles at the time.
I tried to save a couple bucks and went with the APE mechanical CCT but could not get them to seal up properly and I leaked a small amount of oil. I'm sure the APE product is fine, I just couldn't get them to seal up with my inept mechanical skills (mangled 2 gaskets in the process) Those little gaskets are tough to get to stay in place during installation. I finally ordered the OEM CCT and gaskets. Super easy install and the noise went away immediately with no oil leak.
Not contradicting anyone, but my CCT noise came when the bike was warm and at idle. And it was loud. I thought it sounded like a Jetta diesel. I was embarrassed to ride it anywhere. I should mention the bike had 33,000 miles at the time.
I tried to save a couple bucks and went with the APE mechanical CCT but could not get them to seal up properly and I leaked a small amount of oil. I'm sure the APE product is fine, I just couldn't get them to seal up with my inept mechanical skills (mangled 2 gaskets in the process) Those little gaskets are tough to get to stay in place during installation. I finally ordered the OEM CCT and gaskets. Super easy install and the noise went away immediately with no oil leak.
Good luck!
next time put some permatext sealer on the gasket.. it will hold it in place..
Not to turn this into an oil thread, but did you recently change your oil? Did you switch brands? Does the bike need an oil change?
I thought I remember someone talking about their CCT making noise after switching oil brands during a change. :comp13:
What I remember is, some had luck eliminating CCT noises by changing to non-synthetic 10W-40 grade motor oils...which brand, I don't remember, but I don't think it was any kind of motorcycle specific oil........
I had a similar experience on this trip days ago. my bike was chattering on deceleration, shift if it wasn't a perfect 4500-5000 rpm, etc. Obviously this far from home I was having kittens - turned out a simple fix. The chain was too loose and it was slapping. Check your chain tension.