engine knock

[mxzgmcguy]

has anyone got a strait anwser from any honda god on the low end knock that doesn't exsist in the 1300 engine ?????

[BigDog]

Some think it's in the clutch, some say it's thinning oil, same say it's in your head. Change your oil and put Honda oil, see if that helps, if it does it wa thin oil.

[VTXcitable Boy]

How many miles? The damn thing gets smoother the harder you ride it. Most of the noises I experienced in mine have blended after 6000. Still a little noisy, but lord it goes! I'll be able to tell you more next month. Got 7900 on it and gettin ready for a 3000 mile run on her. Tell you what I think after that. Greg...

[Gaboy]

I ask the mechanic at the shop about this issue this past weekend. I was told that is has from the rear cylinder and it was a small tick. He told me not to worry about it. I have 12K miles on the bike. I will say that after the oil change this weekend the tick isn't as pronounced. i would be interested in anyone's else's answer on this question.

Hal

[Memphis Fats]

My 1300 is only 3 weeks old, with 500 miles on it, and I heard the clattering below right away. It seems to get louder when first taking off or whenever giving it throttle. It subsides after under less strain. But, unless they forgot to put oil in it, I don't think the oil--even break-in oil is the cause.
I read in one of the reviews that the test-rider/writer who tested the bike also noticed the clatter, but didn't give a definitive answer for it.

It's definitely a common thing.....like the lurching with throttle, and the clunk when shifting in 1st & 2nd. Someone mentioned something about a burr on something inside that was manufactured that way....but that was 2 years ago, and mine's an '05. I plan to have the dealer check it out in a hundred miles or so. I don't want to pay for replacing something caused by Honda.

Otherwise, ain't it a great bike?

[VTXcitable Boy]

Your Bike is'nt even loose, or broke in yet. You won't lose the clunk in first and second, but it will quiet down. The clatter is the nature of the beast. Solid lifters are always noisy. If you are runnin lean ie sparkplugs., worry . Otherwise learn to listen in lower gears. It goes away when you are runing at freeway speeds. Try a Harly at 75 for about an hour, You will appreciate the difference. Take care. Greg...

[hdwilmot]

Always use premium fuel, helped mine a lot.

HD in Tucson

[Outlaw1800]

Always use premium fuel, helped mine a lot.

HD in Tucson

I'd do a bit more research on fuel type if I were you. The recommended fuel is definitely regular. The premium fuels have a much higher percentage of additives that cause problems with VTX motors & transmissions. You may want to go to the VTXOA site and read up on fuel type. Give yourself plenty of time. A search there will bring up a lot about this issue. Check your owners manual too. They don't recommend premium either and it may pose a warrantee issue if something goes wrong with the motor.

[BigAL]

outlaw1800 is right about the fuel issue, use regular with these VTX's.

As for this "knock", I too have a bit of a chatter going on in my engine. I have 14,400 miles on my bike so far and at 12,000 I switched back (from using Amsoil products) to the Honda recomended OEM engine & final drive oil.

Now I have heard many say that Syn. does not hurt the VTX engine or clutch in any way, and in some bikes I don't doubt that to be true. In my bike, the clutch stopped slipping and my chatter in not as pronounced as it once was. Go figure?

[tlyoungb]

Well I have 19K on my 2004 VTX 1300 Retro, and it runs like I just drove it off the floor. I just put a set of the JCW Slipons on, and use the Amsoil 10 40 weight full syn., and it runs like a champ. I hear the knocking all the time. Just keep riding.

[syhman]

mine was clattering too..... I had my mech test run it and he said it was one of the quiet ones. I trust this guy, he took care off my last bike for 15 years. Had me go to Honda synthetic oil .. noise was noticably reduced

[tejasvtx]

I have an 03 with 13k on it and I have always noticed that sound, it can be a little bothersome, but never has seemed to be a problem mechanically.

[tejasvtx]

took a ride today and thought about it more after this thread, seems like I heard it more than normal, must be the power of suggestion.

[montex]

These are noisey motors but from almost all I've heard they are pretty bullet proof. Best advice I've heard is get some loud pipes and those little noises will go away. :icon_peac

[dirtdobber]

There is a lot going on inside, so there will be some noise. Look at the torque vs horsepower. If you think the x has noise ride a 72 kaw. h2, 750 3 cyl. 2 cycle. I got a antinoise ticket becaues of the noise inside the engine.

[Awful Knawful]

Since new, mine has knocked on acceleration and sounds like you've tapped on a bucket when shifting from 1st to 2nd and back, but if it will do that for a 100,000 miles or so, It's not a major concern.

Most bikes have little quirks. Hopefully these are the only little "surprises" the VTX 1300s hold in store. After 8,000 miles, my bike is "hangin' in there like a rusty fish hook!" No malfunctions so far. Adjusted the valves with only minimal adjustment required. None were truly out of adjustment, the intakes were a little too draggy on the feeler gauge, so we loosened them slightly. The plugs looked beige (ideal) and she's running like new.

[chazb458]

I've had mine pop out between 1st and 2nd when under some heavy throttle. I just have to be more careful to make sure it's engaged as well.

[dhensley]

Answers my question about my new 2007 1300. I have heard a clatter since the first day, assumed it was valves or something potentially tragic. Had 600 mile service and they slightly adjusted valves, said things sounded fine. still clattered, especially when warm and accelerating. I guess from what I read here, I was not crazy and I will just keep riding it. I will try the syn oil next time.

Thanks.