Cam chain rattles when cold

[Speed_imp]

Since a couple of weeks ago appeared a rattling noise when releasing the gas or when downshifting, specially noticeable at lower gears. It disappears as I drive 5 minutes and it warms up. To me it sounds like a loose cam chain. Today morning I asked at the official dealer and they gave me a date for next week. For me it looks like the cam chain tensioner, someone had something similar with his CB?

[Lord Popgun]

So far reports like this have pretty much turned out the be the balancer needs adjustment. Very easy to do and we just had a thread on it. I even posted the manual instructions. I can search for if you want to try it.

OK, here it is: http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....#pid131346

[Speed_imp]

So far reports like this have pretty much turned out the be the balancer needs adjustment. Very easy to do and we just had a thread on it. I even posted the manual instructions. I can search for if you want to try it.

OK, here it is: http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....#pid131346

I have already adjusted the balancer, which was quite loose, but didn't solve the problem it sounds like coming from the top of the engine.

[Lord Popgun]

I wish you good luck with finding it (not being sarcastic). Others said Honda said it was normal and no definitive answer has really been given.

If you get one, please post it up for us.

Thanks.

[SUPERCRUZ_imp]

When was your last oil change and what type of oil and viscosity are you running in your bike? I recall reading older posts of some folks running 20W50 and other non recommended viscosity oils in there bikes resulting in bottom end noise. Run the Honda recommended oil or an oil meeting Honda standards. I know others may disagree with me but this is my opinion regarding a possible solution to your problem.

[Speed_imp]

I wish you good luck with finding it (not being sarcastic). Others said Honda said it was normal and no definitive answer has really been given.

If you get one, please post it up for us.

Thanks.

Next week they will take a look at the Honda dealer, I will tell you what they say.

When was your last oil change and what type of oil and viscosity are you running in your bike? I recall reading older posts of some folks running 20W50 and other non recommended viscosity oils in there bikes resulting in bottom end noise. Run the Honda recommended oil or an oil meeting Honda standards. I know others may disagree with me but this is my opinion regarding a possible solution to your problem.

Last oil change was at 1000 Km, now the bike has 2900 Km. The oil is Motul 10w30 MA semisynthetic and the oil filter is original Honda part (a purflux filter actually), everything meetinc perfectly Honda standards. It didn't start with the oil change.

[SUPERCRUZ_imp]

You might do a search in both the General Section and Mechanical Section of this forum for engine noise or noise from bottom end. I know there were some extensive threads on this topic very early on when the forum first got going. I recall one guy's noise was so bad the dealer pulled the timing chain and guides and replaced all those parts under warranty. Some changed oil brands and this appeared to help or resolved the issue. You almost have 2000Km on your current oil so you might start with the most obvious and cheapest remedies first and change the oil. Sounds like you are using good quality oil with proper viscosity. I am using Repsol 4T Synthetic 10w30 in my bike and not so much as a hint of noise. I changed mine at 500 mi and then again at 2,500 mi. Good luck with it.

[kmoney_imp]

I know some other Hondas have had troubles with their automatic camchain tensions (the CBR 600 f4i comes to mind in particular). I don't know if our CBs are the same, and if there is manual conversion possible for us.

[Speed_imp]

You might do a search in both the General Section and Mechanical Section of this forum for engine noise or noise from bottom end. I know there were some extensive threads on this topic very early on when the forum first got going. I recall one guy's noise was so bad the dealer pulled the timing chain and guides and replaced all those parts under warranty. Some changed oil brands and this appeared to help or resolved the issue. You almost have 2000Km on your current oil so you might start with the most obvious and cheapest remedies first and change the oil. Sounds like you are using good quality oil with proper viscosity. I am using Repsol 4T Synthetic 10w30 in my bike and not so much as a hint of noise. I changed mine at 500 mi and then again at 2,500 mi. Good luck with it.

Now that I hear that someone had to remove the cylinder block to change cam chain and guides under warranty I feel much better . Ha ha ha!!! I am praying the lord that it's only a bad tensioner...

[Speed_imp]

Today y picked up my bike from the dealer and the service manager told me there's no sound. Then I asked for a written copy of the inform (the bike is under warranty) but then in the copy it says that "the timing chain is making some noise but it is within the tolerance. Come back when the sound is worse or louder". At the garage where I work I have retracted the tensioner an let it go again automatically to see if it was somehow stuck. Tomorrow when the bike is cold let's see...