VFR 750 making strange noise. What is wrong?

[humvee]

My 1986 Honda VFR 750F RC-24 has started making a strange high pitched noise. What is wrong with it?
Here is a video of the noise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjUs7FVakJE

Background: ~5km Earlier (the day before) I had just done the following, Oil and Filter change, Check and top up radiator, check brake and clutch fluid levels, adjust chain, adjust rear suspension. As well as a clean. The bike was going well, I had done 4 brake checks/ emergency stops in the first 4km of the ride and had just ridden along a slightly rougher piece of tar-seal to check if the suspension was how I wanted it. Then I did a emergency stop from about 25km using mainly the front brake and as I did this noise started. Oil lights is normal and there is no other indications of problems

[Motig]

Interesting. If you look on u tube for one called vfr sound check they both make the same noise as yours, probably normal. Yours does sound a bit rougher tho. Tune up?

[FROSTY]

I diddn't listen but cam gears on the 750's sometimes start to break up--Um theyre a 2 piece gear on the top of the motor

[humvee]

But mine never has and none of that model I have seen have sounded like that. I have had the bike 5 years and this is a major and sudden change in the way the bike sounds

[humvee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA3UR1g0Teo&NR=1

[bsasuper]

Did you use the same brand of oil?

[humvee]

Only difference was I used a genuine honda filter instead of a recpo one.
I used CASTROL ACTIV 4T

[humvee]

In the past I have always checked and set the oil level on a totally cold engine. But I have just got a copy of a factory manual for the bike. and it said the correct way is to start the bike for a few minutes then turn it off and wait a few mins then check so this is what I did

This resulted in a slightly higher oil level then I would normally have.

[scracha]

Looks and sounds exactly like mine mate.

[humvee]

Looks and sounds exactly like mine mate.
What year model is yours? I wonder why mine has sounded different for last 5 years?

If I knew for sure it was safe to ride and would not do any damage I would be happy. But unless I can explain the major change in sound and know its not doing more harm I am reluctant.

[scracha]

What year model is yours? I wonder why mine has sounded different for last 5 years?

If I knew for sure it was safe to ride and would not do any damage I would be happy. But unless I can explain the major change in sound and know its not doing more harm I am reluctant.

Better safe than sorry I spose. Had a white 1986 750, same as yours until I sold it.

[Swoop]

Didn't the '86 have chain instead of gears?

[vifferman]

I see (well... hear) what you mean. It doesn't sound quite right.
I've no idea what it is.

[scracha]

Didn't the '86 have chain instead of gears?

Nope, first of the gear driven ones. You're thinking of the older VF's, not he VFR's

[jonbuoy]

I think I hear what you mean - a whistling sound rises and falls with the engine speed. Can't think of anything helpfull to suggest so i'll take an uneducated guess at alternator/water pump/clutch? does it change if you hold the clutch in? Sounds like its 1:1 with the engine.

[dangerous]

My 1986 Honda VFR 750F RC-24 has started making a strange high pitched noise. What is wrong with it?
Here is a video of the noise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjUs7FVakJE



hey mate... thats one of my old bikes, when I sold it it was on about 140km whats it up to now?
Would you like me to come and have a look/listen?

[MSTRS]

Just sounds like the cam gears to me.

[quickbuck]

Sounds okay to me.....
Noises can sound louder when you are listening for them.

[dangerous]

Sounds okay to me.....
Noises can sound louder when you are listening for them.
Yeah but as said it wasnt sounding like it is now before.
With the milage on this bike the gear drive cams will be getting worn, I have seen them noisie at the same milage that I expect this one to be at.

[quickbuck]

Yeah but as said it wasnt sounding like it is now before.

Or, it wasn't as apparent as before....

No matter, good on you for offering to have a listen.

I said on TM, it could be a lower viscosity oil.
I've done that myself.
Used the 15-50 one time, then the 10-40 the next....

Can make a difference.

[humvee]

I think I have sorted it now.

The key thing was I had always set the oil level on a cold cold engine but since last time oil change I had found a owners manual for that model bike and it said to run the bike then turn it off for a few minutes then check the oil level so I did.

I have now drained off about 400ml or a little more of oil so it is back at the level I have used for the last 4 or so years measured on a cold cold engine. after 2 mins idle the noise was 50% gone and after a 20km ride the noise is now 95% gone and Im not sure if the last 5% could be a small noise I havent noticed before.

Anyway thanks for the help hopefully all is well Im hoping to do the TT2000 this weekend so I dont need it breaking down on me.

[humvee]

hey mate... thats one of my old bikes, when I sold it it was on about 140km whats it up to now?
Would you like me to come and have a look/listen?

Hi, Thanks for the offer, I think I have it sorted now. It is now up to 160,000km, As long as all is well and I do both days of the TT2000 it will be up to 162k by next week :-)

[humvee]

Or, it wasn't as apparent as before....

No matter, good on you for offering to have a listen.

I said on TM, it could be a lower viscosity oil.
I've done that myself.
Used the 15-50 one time, then the 10-40 the next....

Can make a difference.

Same oil as last time Castrol 15w/50 I use the use 10w/40 but have used 15w/50 for last 2 changes.

[cheshirecat]

MIght pay to check the oil level cold and warm. I've found on mine, albiet a 94, that the level changes dramatically depending finishing a run or cold. On my last change including a new filter thought the level was perfect and now one month after discover it's a bit over. Guessing but may be too much therefore muffling low frequency noise. Doesn't seem an unhappy noise though. Good luck

[quickbuck]

Same oil as last time Castrol 15w/50 I use the use 10w/40 but have used 15w/50 for last 2 changes.

Sweet....

Glad it is all sorted for you.

Yes, Honda's measuring method seems a bit mickey mouse.
You need you have your engine actually working before you can put the correct amount of oil in..... Not always possible on some bikes.