noise @ 3500 to 4500 RPM

[Guest chrisPLF]

As a few new X-11 owner, i was very keen to take it for a ride. Took a while for the snow to go away, last week i went out for the first proper time.

I noticed a strange, vibrating (rattling?) noise starting at 3500 RPM , and stopping again at 4500 RPM. Didn't matter what gear. No strange things noticed while riding. Checked it, couldn't find any loose parts etc.

Took it back to the garage / dealer where i bought it, turns out some parts need to be replaced regarding camshaft, and things which keep the tension on the chain (not too familiar with the English terminology folks! Sorry! I don't know a lot about bikes since i'm a relative newbie...). They said the parts were worn / damaged 'cause the previous owner apparently "didn't pay much attention to it."

Mechanics will take care of it, all free of charge since i got 3 months of warranty. Hope it will be OK when i pick it up next week.

Anyone heard of this kind of problem before? And do you guys have tips / observation points for me to bear in mind?

Thanks everyone!

P.s. Bought a Haynes motorcycle techbook to learn some more about the mysteries of the bike .

[Guest standish honda]

The problem you have experienced is quite common, especially to Honda. The cam chain tensioner does fail due to wear and tear. The tensioner can be replaced easily and if you had to buy one yourself it is an easy job that would cost you around £45/60 Euro as an estimate, the tensioner can be moved whilst fitted to the bike by removing the blanking screw and with a small flat blade screwdriver winding/screwing it out and letting it 'ping' back into position by releasing the screwdriver the tensioner will be heard moving back into position, this can be done periodically to reset the tensioner. There is a Blackbird parts specialist website called JAWS, they sell a replacment tensioner that is comparable with the Honda original they ship worldwide also in Netherlands there is a big distributor of Honda parts online cmsnl.com

[Guest raeman]

What's the mileage on your x11 Chris?

[Guest chrisPLF]

About 27.000 km, it's from 2000. They replaced the chain tensioner but the noise remained. They gave it a more thorough check and said that a few associated parts needed replacement, all in the same (problem) area. As soon as i know more i'll post it here!

[Guest standish honda]

Tensioner may have been stuck for some time and has caused some damage to the cam chain and valve gear the manual gives little indication of the implications of lack of maintenance.It is a critical part but is also the achilleas heel, not just Honda though Ducati are no better with their drive belts.

[wayne 426]

For a quick fix, for the tensioner.

You can remove the blanking screw & replace it with a longer screw which will keep the tensioner in place & not allow it to return, use a nut also to lock it off against the tensioner body,effectively you would then have a manual adjuster.

In normal unabused use the cam chains should last over 100 thousand miles I have been told.

Wayne.

[Guest chrisPLF]

Thanks for the help guys!

[Guest raeman]

It could be that the oil has not been changed enough over the years and this could be part of the problem.

I say this as my old 89 cbr1000f used to have a camchain rattle all the time, those bikes all did it btw.

I found that when i had just changed the oil, the noise was a lot less. After approx 2-3k the noise was louder again, so i changed the oil more frequent.

Just a theory.

[Guest chrisPLF]

Got a call yesterday, mechanics say it's fixed. New tensioner and some adjustments and voila. Will go there next tuesday. I'll give it a good check before i go, just to make sure...

[Guest fe5ta]

Lets hope it`s a good result then

[Guest JamesCates]

Let us know if it's a fix and good luck!

[Guest chrisPLF]

It's a fix guys! Picked it up, there is a nice red thingy on the side of my bike now, looks OK.

Bike sounds amazing, problems solved. Had a great ride home.

[Guest JamesCates]

YES! Glad to hear it. How was the weather? It's been sunny and warm in London the last 2 days - wanted to call in ill and put bike back together for a ride. Oh well, here I am at work.

[Guest chrisPLF]

YES! Glad to hear it. How was the weather? It's been sunny and warm in London the last 2 days - wanted to call in ill and put bike back together for a ride. Oh well, here I am at work.

Aah the weather is great! Sunny, blue skies, about 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. The weatherman said we might get some last snow over the weekend, but until then i'm out 'n about with the bike. Lucky that i work irregular shifts!

[Guest JamesCates]

Lucky you, indeed! I work irregular. Full stop. :laugh: