Help Help me Honda!

[Memphis Fats]

Why do I still have the clattering noise when I throttle?
I just had my mandatory 600 mile service and mentioned the clattering to the repair wizard at the local dealership, suggesting valve check. After we got past the part about gas pings, etc. they checked and found my valves were out of adjustment, and supposedly fixed it.
I still have the clattering noise.
Does anyone else have the same type noise? Valves, lifters, rods????
If this is normal, it must be a first....or else I'll find myself with burned parts.

I won't even mention the speedo chatter.
Help me Honda, help, help me.

[NC Hammer]

The valves loosen during the break in period. It sounds like they didn't adjust them properly. After my 600 mile service it was quiet and is just starting to make some noise when under stress. I'm at 23,000 miles.

[Mer]

I noticed alot of "new" noises coming from my bike compared to my previous ride (ACE). I'd read alot about the sounds that come from the bike so it really didn't surprise me. I also compared it to my husband's bike (also a VTX) and his sounded exactly the same. It probably is just normal VTX noises. I added Cobra slip ons though because I didn't like the "sewing machine" sounds it made. lol.

I've never had a problem with speedo chatter.

Good luck!

[VTXcitable Boy]

The Bike has solid lifters. It's gonna be noisy. Especially if you still have stock pipes. Find a friend w/ the same bike and compare. Or take it to a Good dealer and have him take it out for a spin. The 1300 is a rare bird among Jap Bikes. W/out actually hearing it, there's no way to tell. That Bike has more ass than a local whorehouse. I wouldn't let it get in the way of enjoying the ride if the noise is normal. I solved my neurosis w/ a set of HK 2.5's.LOL. I just got back off a 2800 mile run, never had to touch a wrench.JMO. Greg.....

[VTXRI]

These bikes are not the norm.. they are bullet proof and noisey..
Get checked again... then buy some pipes :)

[stevensclan]

I put rubber washrs between my speedometer housing and the metal tabs and it got rid of the rattle with it

[Retro Rich]

Hi Everyone,

I just thought I would throw in what I've been told about the 1300 and the inherent "noises." On the engine, do you hear the rattling/knocking more on the left side of the engine than the right? If so, I was told by my local Honda tech that it's because that's where the end of the rocker arms are and is a normal sound/noise for the 1300 engine. Good to hear you had the valves adjusted as they recommend. There are differing opinions out there about that, and mine remains get it done at the specified intervals as recommended by Honda. I've seen a lot of riders out there that were either loose or tight at the specified intervals and proper valve clearance is imperative to ANY engine operating properly. I've put this information/opinion in some other posts/threads as well.

I can see where some have the opinions that it's not a necessary maintenance item (i.e.-some feel it's just a way to have a dealer get more money out of you after the sale). But, I can't say I agree there. Honda has a reputation for longevity, and wouldn't it be easier and a big selling point for them to say that you only needed plugs, oil changes, and filter service at the specified intervals? Given, you could take the viewpoint that they should have engineered the engine and valvetrain to have automatic/"maintenance fee" valve adjustment (which I feel would have been much better). But, they didn't so getting this done certainly appears to be a must to make sure you're running properly.

They do have more vibration/noise than many others out there, part of that is probably inherent as well from the 40+ pound crank (that's what I was told by the Honda Tech that it weighed) and single pin setup.

[DillDawg]

Does anyone else have the same type noise? Valves, lifters, rods????
If this is normal, it must be a first....or else I'll find myself with burned parts.
We dont have "lifters"...its direct cam / rocker / valve.
IMO - having the valves a little noisy is better than having them quiet.
Quiet valves = tight = burned parts.
Loose valves = noisy = lost performance.
I'd rather loose a bit of performance than burn an exhaust valve.
Also ---- the bit about the Honda tech who claims the rockers are on the left...that's pretty funny (They're centered atop each cylinder)

[Retro Rich]

We dont have "lifters"...its direct cam / rocker / valve.
IMO - having the valves a little noisy is better than having them quiet.
Quiet valves = tight = burned parts.
Loose valves = noisy = lost performance.
I'd rather loose a bit of performance than burn an exhaust valve.
Also ---- the bit about the Honda tech who claims the rockers are on the left...that's pretty funny (They're centered atop each cylinder)
Hey Dilldawg,

I know; I looked at some engine diagrams/valve pics and found it didn't make sense to me. Given, I'm not a certified tech and only a shadetree and want to be able to trust a certified tech--but the more I think about what I hear from some of these guys over time makes you question their knowledge/abilities.

The left-sided noise is pretty apparent for some reason on these engines, not sure exactly what it is but it seems to be fairly common on many of the 1300's. Any idea what causes that on these engines?

[DillDawg]

Hey Dilldawg,

I know; I looked at some engine diagrams/valve pics and found it didn't make sense to me. Given, I'm not a certified tech and only a shadetree and want to be able to trust a certified tech--but the more I think about what I hear from some of these guys over time makes you question their knowledge/abilities.

The left-sided noise is pretty apparent for some reason on these engines, not sure exactly what it is but it seems to be fairly common on many of the 1300's. Any idea what causes that on these engines?
Yeah...I hear stuff the "certified" Honda techs say and I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Kind of sad, you know?

In my opinion...the reason you may hear it more on the left is simply because it's more open on that side...without the carb and breather.

[KenDoll]

Is that noise caused by the loose valves then cuz that's what the techs tell me too? Also my bike is making a choking, coughing noise at a cold start I figure it's just because of the durastic elevation change; I went from Utah to Virginia without rejetting yet? Whattya think?

[Retro Rich]

Makes sense, thanks for the input. Since I switched to that Baron's BAK air intake all I can hear on the right is that carb sucking air...haha.

KenDoll,

Are you still running with stock airbox, jetting, pipes, A/F ratio settings, etc. or did you change it back in Utah? A drastic elevation change can certainly make a difference in how your bike's operating. That would depend though on how drastic the elevation change is; the more "drastic" may require a difference in your jetting (although I wouldn't think it would be a drastic jetting change; quite possibly none at all) and/or changing your A/F mixture ratio. If you never changed anything outside of your main jet for any airbox/pipe upgrades, I would guess it's probably as simple as maybe just adjusting the A/F ratio. Most Honda's are pretty "cold-natured" anyway and can take a while to warm up when started from stone-cold. Plus, factory settings/jetting on these bikes are pretty lean anyway. Hope that maybe helps or sheds some light on what to think about/look at.

[KenDoll]

Thanks Rich,
I was thinking the A/F mixture needed to be adjusted. The Honda dealership out here tells me I should get it rejetted though, and since I'm going to have them do that and I don't know that much about the mechanics of it I'll have them also adjust the A/F. I need to have more faith in my mechanical abilities cuz I could probably do a lot of things that I just don't try. Anyway thanks for the feedback.

[Retro Rich]

No problem. I'm actually taking mine in this weekend for the 600-mile service and have to have them tune it a little. Since I upgraded the intake and pipes, I'm running rich and fouling the plugs. I figure let them do it; at $20+ to replace each time I foul up the plugs let them do it and keep discarding them...haha. The service is already pre-paid for anyway, so just have to pay for the on set of plugs. Can't wait to see how it runs with it tuned "properly."

[PPERRONE]

I had an "extra" noise when I got my back from the 600 mile service. I traced it back to the exhaust shields being slightly mis-aligned. The shield was rattling against the exhaust manifold bolts. I re-allignend the shield to stop the noise and took the bike back to the dealer to have them replace the damaged manifold bolts, which they did at no charge.

[Green Ghost]

Hey Dilldawg,

I know; I looked at some engine diagrams/valve pics and found it didn't make sense to me. Given, I'm not a certified tech and only a shadetree and want to be able to trust a certified tech--but the more I think about what I hear from some of these guys over time makes you question their knowledge/abilities.

The left-sided noise is pretty apparent for some reason on these engines, not sure exactly what it is but it seems to be fairly common on many of the 1300's. Any idea what causes that on these engines?
Do you think it could be the timing chain and slack adjusters on the left side?

[Memphis Fats]

Well, now I have 3,000 miles and, since my original post have noticed no change in the clatter. So much for "it'll get better with more miles". Maybe I need to add another 7,000 just to make sure....or 16,000. I'm sure the noise will still be there, and the bike will be running just fine. Louder pipes would probably help drown out the clatter, but I'd just be replacing one noise with a louder one.

[FuzzFace]

There are several noises on a 1300. The valves are actually one of the minor sounds, and you can't hear them much. If you are running with a windshield and a 3/4 or 1/2 helmet or none, you will hear every power stroke from the front cylinder, and it will sound like a ballpeen hammer tapping the exhaust pipe or slightly worse. (My theory) That is because the pipes have only partial double wall coverage, and the windshield is reflecting it back to you extremely well. The power stroke is a strong one (think 650cc single cylinder banging away) and the only way to not hear it at all is to take off the windshield or wear a full coverage or ear plugs. I guess loud pipes will also work too. :hmm2:

As I said, my theory from trying lots of things with my '06 1300C.

Fuzzy :patriot:

[dmadjack]

Hey,Im new here. 05 VTX. I put some vance and hines bigshots on mine. The bike runs like a bat outta hell. I am really concerned about having 1500m on it without the vale adjustment. Am I messing up by going that Long? I dont wanna do it because I don't want my bike to be gone for a week! I had the rattle as soon as I got the bike but the pipes took care of that problem. Low end torque suffers but the faster you go the harder it pulls. 100mph...bam! How do I improve the low end? Oh, I like eatin hogs!

[shadango]

Hey,Im new here. 05 VTX. I put some vance and hines bigshots on mine. The bike runs like a bat outta hell. I am really concerned about having 1500m on it without the vale adjustment. Am I messing up by going that Long? I dont wanna do it because I don't want my bike to be gone for a week! I had the rattle as soon as I got the bike but the pipes took care of that problem. Low end torque suffers but the faster you go the harder it pulls. 100mph...bam! How do I improve the low end? Oh, I like eatin hogs!

I waited until like 800 or 900 miles to do mine....then again at 4k and 8k.....

I did mine myself...it is not hard....just time consuming...if you have any mechanical sense at all......get a set of feeler gauges and plan on dedicating them to the job as you will need to bend them to fit....you will also need the teeny tiny wrecnch for the rocker adjuster......there is a tech rightup on bareass choppers site....

If you take it to the dealer they will most likely keep your bike for a week and not do it anyways....and just charge you for it.

[Memphis Fats]

Am I missing something here? Louder pipes will make the clatter go away? Or do they just drown out the clatter so that I don't notice it? I'm still a little concerned that the clatter is still there and something may be slowly eating my valves. My dealer took a ride on my bike and said it sounds like all of them. And with all the reports I have seen, he must be right, or they just don't do very good valve adjustments. Why doesn't Honda tell us something about this noise to put our minds at ease? This bike has been out for 4 years and most must still have the clatter (under torque) from what I hear. So Honda has not addressed it, either to reduce the noise, or to tell the dealer mechanics what to do about it. Maybe it's just noise and that's part of the bike's personality.

[Shutterbug]

I have 4200 miles on my C and the Honda dealer finished my bike in 1 day!
(Xtreme Honda, Tampa FL)

[FuzzFace]

Yeah, there are two different scenarios when you have your valves adjusted at the dealer:

1) You ride it in, and the bike needs to sit overnight to totally cool down before they do the adjustments.

2) You truck/trailer it in , and they can do it the same day. Assuming (look out for that word!) that it was cold when you loaded it.

The specs that they use to set the valve clearances are with a "stone-cold" motor, thus the wait. My buddy with a V-Star has the same deal, and he couldn't give up the extra day and trailered his to the dealer. Delivered to them in the morning, and received by him that afternoon.

Good riding,
Fuzz Face

[JRCAL]

Personally I wouldn't trust a dealer to do any work on my bike. For one reason it's my bike and I will take more time to get it right than the shop tech would. It's just another bike to him before he goes to the next one. If they do any of the work at all.

Hey guys on the noise issues you all have. Let it go. Most large displacement Vtwins are noisy. I have all the noise issues including the speedo rattle. Just foret about it and ride the bike. It's not a Mercedes.

[rstarr4]

Hi guys,
I've been reading this forum for a while, but this is my first post. I generally agree with JRCAL about living with the noises because most of them are "normal". However, the speedometer rattle is such an easy fix that I just couldn't see putting up with it. I just removed the three rearmost screws on the speedometer cover and lifted the whole unit up enough to slip in a piece of foam rubber of the type that is used to seal around a window A/C unit. It needs to go up at the front end of the unit where it hooks on. Then just lower the unit back into place and re-install the three screws. Once I did this Inever heard the rattle again. Hope this helps.