VTR knocking noise
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
From: Georgia
VTR knocking noise
First, Thanks Big Jim, your thread has been very useful. I have been chasing a noise in my newly purchased VTR. Removing the rod caps and using plastigauge has indicated that both are within limits. The book calls for 15 ft lbs +120 degrees. This did not seem very tight? So, maybe I have been being nervous about my new Shawk. I recently sold a Ducati (1990 750 Sport) and remember it being pretty noisy, but I expected a watercooled vtwin to be quieter. I will put up a video when it is running and see what you think.
I thought that this pic might be of use.
I thought that this pic might be of use.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 283
From: Dallas, TX
If you had the rod caps off you need to install new bolts. Honda stresses this and it is best practice. They are not expensive.
What did the oil pan look like? You will have more indication of bearing failure if you see gold flakes in the pan.
You can give a listen to mine. To me it sounds like it has a loose valve but what do i know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5whAvMAAFw
What did the oil pan look like? You will have more indication of bearing failure if you see gold flakes in the pan.
You can give a listen to mine. To me it sounds like it has a loose valve but what do i know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5whAvMAAFw
Last edited by Big_Jim59; Mar 25, 2015 at 08:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
From: Georgia
I have ordered new rod cap bolts. Used the old ones to do the plastigauge. Oil pan was clean. No flakes of any kind. I modified the factory cct's so that they are now manual. After listening to your hawk in the vids, mine sounds a lot like it. Guess that I have just been being an old woman. I did learn that taking off the rod caps is a real pain. Thanks for the replies.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 834
From: Nooksack WA
I have ordered new rod cap bolts. Used the old ones to do the plastigauge. Oil pan was clean. No flakes of any kind. I modified the factory cct's so that they are now manual. After listening to your hawk in the vids, mine sounds a lot like it. Guess that I have just been being an old woman. I did learn that taking off the rod caps is a real pain. Thanks for the replies.
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,312
From: Brookfield, WI
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 283
From: Dallas, TX
I have ordered new rod cap bolts. Used the old ones to do the plastigauge. Oil pan was clean. No flakes of any kind. I modified the factory cct's so that they are now manual. After listening to your hawk in the vids, mine sounds a lot like it. Guess that I have just been being an old woman. I did learn that taking off the rod caps is a real pain. Thanks for the replies.
And that is a big YES! It is a huge Pain in the butt to do the rod caps that way. It is actually good that you checked. I just got through with a rebuild and i have a ticking sound I can't locate. I am going to ride it and try to ignore it.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
From: Georgia
New rod bolts came in today. The book calls for 15 ft lbs + 120 degrees. I do not have a special tool to indicate degrees so I have put paint marks on the bolts 120 degrees apart to aid in the torquing process. Any suggestions?
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
From: Georgia
[QUOTE=8541Hawk;384312]It's kind of late but can I ask at what RPM did you have the knock and was it constant or did it come and go?[/Q]
Steady noise at all engine speeds. Does not seem to get any louder under unloaded engine speed increase. Did not hear it when I road the bike home after purchase. Really did not think that it was typical rod noise, but wanted to be on the safe side.
Steady noise at all engine speeds. Does not seem to get any louder under unloaded engine speed increase. Did not hear it when I road the bike home after purchase. Really did not think that it was typical rod noise, but wanted to be on the safe side.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
From: Georgia
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1
From: Qc. Canada
Maico,
Please check also the Primary Drive gear assembly. It contains three springs that are to apply pressure to the clutch outer. These springs can sometimes break and have been known to cause the sound you may have been hearing...like the sound of worn out con-rod bearings.
Please check also the Primary Drive gear assembly. It contains three springs that are to apply pressure to the clutch outer. These springs can sometimes break and have been known to cause the sound you may have been hearing...like the sound of worn out con-rod bearings.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
From: Georgia
Maico,
Please check also the Primary Drive gear assembly. It contains three springs that are to apply pressure to the clutch outer. These springs can sometimes break and have been known to cause the sound you may have been hearing...like the sound of worn out con-rod bearings.
Please check also the Primary Drive gear assembly. It contains three springs that are to apply pressure to the clutch outer. These springs can sometimes break and have been known to cause the sound you may have been hearing...like the sound of worn out con-rod bearings.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
From: Georgia
Well, the VTR is back on the road. Several minor problems were attended to while it was apart. All of the low rpm running problems have been cured. The low fuel light works, and the radiator fan cuts on and off like it should. Replaced the connection between the stator and the regulator. However, it still sounds a bit like a threshing machine to me. That said I love riding it. Am going to ride it for a while before i go back in to look at the primary drive. Will post a video soon.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,544
From: New South Wales Australia
When you look at the anti rattle gear check the advancer.
When I fitted the 4 degree advancer the engine became louder as far as knocks go.
Been like it for years without any drama.
When I fitted the 4 degree advancer the engine became louder as far as knocks go.
Been like it for years without any drama.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
From: Georgia
Thanks for the input. I have had a NT650 Honda for a few years, and riding it made me want a Superhawk. I have not been disappointed, but the engine is new to me. Did you replace the pulse generator rotor with a 4 degree advance unit?
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
From: Georgia
I removed the clutch cover and inspected the anti-rattle gear. Coukd not see a problem, however I went ahead and removed the anti-rattle gear. I reassembled the bike. The noise has changed dramatically. It no longer sounds like a rod bearing going south. It does make some noise but no longer says SHUT ME OFF.
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,312
From: Brookfield, WI
I removed the clutch cover and inspected the anti-rattle gear. Coukd not see a problem, however I went ahead and removed the anti-rattle gear. I reassembled the bike. The noise has changed dramatically. It no longer sounds like a rod bearing going south. It does make some noise but no longer says SHUT ME OFF.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
From: Georgia
I made a thread about removing the sub gear (anti-rattle gear) with pictures, click here. You removed the sub gear and the three springs, correct? Maybe a spring fell out before you opened it up? One would think that the engine would make more noise after removing the sub gear, not less. Very odd.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 283
From: Dallas, TX
Maico: I finally Superhawk out yesterday and took a blast around the country side. It has been raining hard every day here and this is the first chance I had to really ride it. To be frank, the VTR is a rattley mess at idle. It sounds like a piston rattle but it only comes from the clutch side.
I removed the anti-rattle gear with no real change. I have a hard time listening to its noisy cadence and I have a harder time trusting the bike since it let me sit with a bent valve. But when I put my helmet on the noise went away and all I could hear was the sound of the those big mouthed Two Brothers exhaust cans.
Because of my brush with the law on my last outing I tried to take it very easy but it didn’t work. It just wants to run. I found myself motoring through a rather scenic hilly part of my neighborhood. I was loping along at 4 grand running around 75mph. It put me in mind of an old Moto Guzzi I used to own.
It is a hard bike to ride slow and a hard bike not to stuff into corners. It’s funny, but when I first got on board I got cramps in my legs, the pegs felt so high. The reach to the bars is not bad for me but the pegs caused my legs to lock up. But, after a little while in the saddle it started to feel really right. I got tucked in on that Superhawk and it just pulled like a tractor. It was fun, nothing but fun. I need to do one more carb sync and then i think it's done. I guess i have to stop worrying about the rattly engine sound.
I removed the anti-rattle gear with no real change. I have a hard time listening to its noisy cadence and I have a harder time trusting the bike since it let me sit with a bent valve. But when I put my helmet on the noise went away and all I could hear was the sound of the those big mouthed Two Brothers exhaust cans.
Because of my brush with the law on my last outing I tried to take it very easy but it didn’t work. It just wants to run. I found myself motoring through a rather scenic hilly part of my neighborhood. I was loping along at 4 grand running around 75mph. It put me in mind of an old Moto Guzzi I used to own.
It is a hard bike to ride slow and a hard bike not to stuff into corners. It’s funny, but when I first got on board I got cramps in my legs, the pegs felt so high. The reach to the bars is not bad for me but the pegs caused my legs to lock up. But, after a little while in the saddle it started to feel really right. I got tucked in on that Superhawk and it just pulled like a tractor. It was fun, nothing but fun. I need to do one more carb sync and then i think it's done. I guess i have to stop worrying about the rattly engine sound.
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