My Journey Into the Heart of The VTR
I can honestly say that the big end was checked (I pulled the pan) and the small end was checked during assembly. It really does sound like the noise is coming from the clutch side.
Is it possible that I installed the anti-rattle gear wrong? I used the stethoscope and the bulk of the noise is coming from that area. When I insatlled the gear I though it had some tension. When I tried to install it with a full tooth to compress the springs I was unable to do it and thought that this would put too much tension on the gear and springs.
Is it possible that I installed the anti-rattle gear wrong? I used the stethoscope and the bulk of the noise is coming from that area. When I insatlled the gear I though it had some tension. When I tried to install it with a full tooth to compress the springs I was unable to do it and thought that this would put too much tension on the gear and springs.
Last edited by Big_Jim59; Apr 11, 2015 at 08:36 PM.
That noise in your Hawk is just like the noise that I have been worrying about in mine. I am going to ride mine a while before I pull the cover . I still have to get the tools (puller) so it will be a while. The noise in mine seems to vary. Sometimes loud and sometimes not loud.
Storms today so no ride.
That noise in your Hawk is just like the noise that I have been worrying about in mine. I am going to ride mine a while before I pull the cover . I still have to get the tools (puller) so it will be a while. The noise in mine seems to vary. Sometimes loud and sometimes not loud.
That noise in your Hawk is just like the noise that I have been worrying about in mine. I am going to ride mine a while before I pull the cover . I still have to get the tools (puller) so it will be a while. The noise in mine seems to vary. Sometimes loud and sometimes not loud.
I said maybe it's just me referring to his clunking which I haven't heard before.
Straight cut primaries. Definitely not worried, but mine is the loudest I've ever heard. I made the vid because another member on here was concerned it was a problem. I get the good looks from people wondering if there's a blower or something. 
I said maybe it's just me referring to his clunking which I haven't heard before.
I said maybe it's just me referring to his clunking which I haven't heard before.
That sounds like mine!
I have no ant rattle gear, 4 degree advancer, manual CCT's and a few other bits.
Been like that for years and like you I was worried with the noise.
I chased the noise for ages and in the end decided to ride it and see what happened.
So far nothing.
Do you have a 4 degree advancer?
A lot of folks all over the world report a noise like yours when an advancer is fitted.
I have no ant rattle gear, 4 degree advancer, manual CCT's and a few other bits.
Been like that for years and like you I was worried with the noise.
I chased the noise for ages and in the end decided to ride it and see what happened.
So far nothing.
Do you have a 4 degree advancer?
A lot of folks all over the world report a noise like yours when an advancer is fitted.
I really can't say. Since I haven't owned the bike from new and since I just installed the advancer it came with then it is quite possible that this is the case. The bike does sport a Two Brothers exhaust, which was not a cheap mod and it has the jetting mods to match. Someone liked the bike enough to make some upgrades, why not the advancer?
Did the advancer have a couple holes in it? If so, that would be stock. If it is solid, then it would most likely be a Factory Pro advancer. Some have a "4" or "2" stamped into one of the teeth. However, regarding the +2 degree Factory Pro advancer, I have never seen one, so this is just an assumption.
Did the advancer have a couple holes in it? If so, that would be stock. If it is solid, then it would most likely be a Factory Pro advancer. Some have a "4" or "2" stamped into one of the teeth. However, regarding the +2 degree Factory Pro advancer, I have never seen one, so this is just an assumption.
A theory that I came up with is that when I removed the anti rattle gear and put the new advancer in that the position the new advancer was in in relation to the trigger was different by the thickness of the removed anti rattle gear.
Fortunately I still have the anti rattle gear and if I ever have the need to, or the inclination to remove the clutch cover I will fit a washer behind the advancer that is the same thickness as the anti rattle gear and see if that stops the noise in my motor.
I haven't been into that side of the engine for a couple of years so I hope that my thoughts make sense.
The main thing is that even though I have the noise, my bike goes like stink.
I guess that when things are changed from standard you have to expect the engine to sound different.
You obviously know your way around an engine, have the faith and ride it.
I am that used to the noises my VTR makes now that if it didn't make those now familiar sounds I would be worried.
Best thing is with loud pipes you can't hear them when you are riding anyway!
Go on, jump on it and give it a good flogging!
Fortunately I still have the anti rattle gear and if I ever have the need to, or the inclination to remove the clutch cover I will fit a washer behind the advancer that is the same thickness as the anti rattle gear and see if that stops the noise in my motor.
I haven't been into that side of the engine for a couple of years so I hope that my thoughts make sense.
The main thing is that even though I have the noise, my bike goes like stink.
I guess that when things are changed from standard you have to expect the engine to sound different.
You obviously know your way around an engine, have the faith and ride it.
I am that used to the noises my VTR makes now that if it didn't make those now familiar sounds I would be worried.
Best thing is with loud pipes you can't hear them when you are riding anyway!
Go on, jump on it and give it a good flogging!
You obviously know your way around an engine, have the faith and ride it.
I am that used to the noises my VTR makes now that if it didn't make those now familiar sounds I would be worried.
Best thing is with loud pipes you can't hear them when you are riding anyway!
Go on, jump on it and give it a good flogging!
I am that used to the noises my VTR makes now that if it didn't make those now familiar sounds I would be worried.
Best thing is with loud pipes you can't hear them when you are riding anyway!
Go on, jump on it and give it a good flogging!
The noise it makes does not get louder as the RPMs increase and it's not the sound of the exhaust drowning it out. It just makes that clunky sound, the loudest at idle. Strange.
It is raining and I have the job so riding will have to wait.
I STILL haven't had a chance to ride it. The problem with my left foot has made shifting impossable. I got out yesterday with the shop sponsored group ride. We did about 200 miles round trip. I was not able to ride my own bike but I borrowed a NC700X DCT that the shop had taken in on trade. The DCT let my foot relax the whole way and was possibly therapeutic with a bit of pulsating massage from the twin motor. I like the bike just fine but it could use more power. It was a nice trip but I am just desperate to get on the VTR.
Today the sun was shining and temps were in the high 80s. It was too good a day not to ride so I first pulled the VFR out and made a run into town. That done I managed to get the VTR liberated. Bear in mind this is no small task as the path from the shop roll up door to my drive is over my yard which is still standing in water. I decided to ride a set route and I made sure the ramp and the tie downs were in the truck. I rode the 6 miles from Leonard to Trenton and back a couple of times. On my way out of Leonard I got pulled over by the local cop and I was given a warning for 60 in a 45. This bike draws cops like flies to honey. The clutch side is still a bit clunky but I am going to call it finished until something else breaks. It runs strong and pulls hard. It is really hard to ride this bike slow although, after the warning, I was creeping along like a Harley dude.
Great to see your riding it.
Mine has had some terrible noises since I modded it a couple of years ago.
I have learnt to live with them as you only hear them at idle.
To add to that I have a noisy clutch as well.
Still when I compare it to the noises the V4 Tuono makes I can live with it.
Ride and enjoy.
Mine has had some terrible noises since I modded it a couple of years ago.
I have learnt to live with them as you only hear them at idle.
To add to that I have a noisy clutch as well.
Still when I compare it to the noises the V4 Tuono makes I can live with it.
Ride and enjoy.
I used my GoPro and an external mic to try and get a better audio file of the VTR running. It sounds a bit muffled but I think it captures the essences of the sound. Please give it a listen and let me know what you think. There is just a hint of rattle in the sound. I put a 1/4 turn on the rear CCT but that's all I am willing to do. Too tight is way worse than too loose. I have been riding it, as much as the monsoons we have been having will allow, and the sound doesn't bother me as much. Maybe I am getting used to it. The bike is quite powerful and very fun to ride. I guess I am having trouble putting my trust in it.
https://youtu.be/mRbaskaQvEM
https://youtu.be/mRbaskaQvEM
That's good to hear. Yes manual CCTs. I set them per the instructions and I know that are not too tight. I guess I'll just go ride.
By the way. I love yellow. My VFR is yellow and I think if make me easier to see in traffic. When I take the VTR out I have to be careful. It is silver/gray and I think it blends in. It's like I have a cloaking device. (Except where the cops are concerned.)
Big Jim,
Mine sounds like that too!
After a couple of years you get used to it.
I just did the shims in my valves and rechecked my cam chain tension .
I am yet to start my bike. I had to shim 1 inlet and one exhaust on the front head and am wondering if that contributes to the noises that I hear with my bike.
I guess I will find out.
Mine has the clutch rattle but the knocking noise seems to be coming from the primary drive area on mine, but more towards the front.
Mine sounds like that too!
After a couple of years you get used to it.
I just did the shims in my valves and rechecked my cam chain tension .
I am yet to start my bike. I had to shim 1 inlet and one exhaust on the front head and am wondering if that contributes to the noises that I hear with my bike.
I guess I will find out.
Mine has the clutch rattle but the knocking noise seems to be coming from the primary drive area on mine, but more towards the front.
Big Jim,
Mine sounds like that too!
After a couple of years you get used to it.
I just did the shims in my valves and rechecked my cam chain tension .
I am yet to start my bike. I had to shim 1 inlet and one exhaust on the front head and am wondering if that contributes to the noises that I hear with my bike.
I guess I will find out.
Mine has the clutch rattle but the knocking noise seems to be coming from the primary drive area on mine, but more towards the front.
Mine sounds like that too!
After a couple of years you get used to it.
I just did the shims in my valves and rechecked my cam chain tension .
I am yet to start my bike. I had to shim 1 inlet and one exhaust on the front head and am wondering if that contributes to the noises that I hear with my bike.
I guess I will find out.
Mine has the clutch rattle but the knocking noise seems to be coming from the primary drive area on mine, but more towards the front.
I am heartened to hear that everyone's SH sounds like mine. I felt I was getting a bit paranoid.
Last edited by Big_Jim59; May 27, 2015 at 03:26 PM.




