knocking noise

[vtxrider]

I have an 04 1300c with 6500, bought it new, here lately I think I am hearing a knockin when @ cruising speed, I have hardkrome drag slip on also, could this be the valves needing adjusting (havent had it done since I bought bike, not unless dealer did it @ first svc) or is it just noise from the pipes? fellow bikers say I am just hearing things...

[VTXcitable Boy]

Can you be a little more specific about the noise? Do you hear it when you ecelerate?Does it go away if you decelerate? Does it do it if you raise the rpm"s in a lower gear at a constant speed? Just because a shop has a good rep, it doesn't mean they're waterproof. Sheit happens. I know. I've been an industrial mech for 23 years and as much as I'd like to say I'm it, I am subject to murphy"s law too. Don't be shy. The worst the shop can do is label you as paranoid. Don't fret about taking it back soon! If nothing else they may find another problem or give you an eduecation in mechanics. Win win situation for you. Don't take the fun out of riding because you're worried about offending the rep of the shop. You paid good money for your ride and thays what your warrenty is for. If you don't have an extended warrenty? My advice? get one. The first time you have a serious problem it will pay off in spades. Shop rates are what they are. I KNOW. I had 400 miles on mine and had to crack the case totally. Seems Honda had a little problem w/ the gears. I wasn't upset. I KNOW mechanics. One thing Honda is famous for is setting things right. They did! Nobody is perfect. If I can help you I will. My advice take it back and be polite, till they aren't! Honda has a great network for dealing w/ consumer problems. Just make sure you establish a contact w/ the corporation. Easily done. They will even go outside the warrenty game if you approach them politely. I hope this helps. As the Eagles said, WE ARE ONLY PRISONERS HERE OF OUR OWN DEVISE. Goodluck, Greg.....

[vtxrider]

Hey Greg, thanks for reply....I here noise at constant speed but it is not a load tapping noise like lifters in a car, and the stranger thing is I can turn my head either way, then I dont hear noise, maybe all in my head but better safe than sorry, I will have it checked out and I will check into the extented warr.....the factory one ran out this past may.
thanks again
Craig

[Highlander]

When I first got my 1300 retro, I had heard of some problems with the valve rocker arms on these engines. I seems that some of the rocker arms had a small burr on the edges. When the mechanic would insert the feeler to set the valve it would feel tight but in actuallity it was loose because of the burr. I don't know when they got that figured out or fixed at the factory. I know my 1300 has 20k miles since april of last year and I don't have any UNUSUAL tapping, or knocking.

[vtxrider]

Thanks for ur info Highlander, sounds like that could be my problem.
ride safe

[vtxrider]

Hey guys thanks again for the info, had vavles checked, there are ok and turned out to be my baffels (which are removable) were loose and mechanic said that might the problem, so keep them tight....how strange is that!

[tlyoungb]

Hey guys thanks again for the info, had vavles checked, there are ok and turned out to be my baffels (which are removable) were loose and mechanic said that might the problem, so keep them tight....how strange is that!

Baffels? In the exhaust?

tlyoungb

[Retro Rich]

I think I know what the knocking noise you are hearing might be; I had the same issue with by 1300R when I bought it new this last September (and I could turn my head and not hear it anymore). It was usually worse when idling then when accelerating/decelerating. I was used to a V-4 Magna, which is a pretty smooth enginge and not a larger v-twin (which was also part of the issue as well) I had the dealer check it out; they stated that you will usually hear that knocking more on the left side than on the right (which I did), and it's because that's where the ends of the rocker arms are. They stated that between that and the large crank/pistons on these engines (they stated that the big crank weighs approx. 47 lbs.) that it is normal to hear a knocking noise. I bought the extended warranty, as well as a "pit pass" which covers all of the maintenance for the first three years. With the valve adjustments that Honda recc. on these bikes (at 600 miles, then every 4000 after that), it will pay for itself easily. I usually do all of my own maintenance work, but didn't want to toy with valve adjustments if I could help it. I've notice that as time goes on and the engine gets more mileage, the knocking has lessened and the engine keeps getting smoother.

Hope everything keeps going well on yours!