VFR 750 making strange noise. What is wrong?

**humvee** · 8th February 2009, 17:48

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** · 8th February 2009, 18:11

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:Me** · 8th February 2009, 18:16

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** · 8th February 2009, 18:23

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** · 8th February 2009, 18:30

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

**bsasuper** · 8th February 2009, 18:54

Did you use the same brand of oil?

**humvee** · 8th February 2009, 19:05

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

**humvee** · 8th February 2009, 19:12

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** · 8th February 2009, 19:16

Looks and sounds exactly like mine mate.

**humvee** · 8th February 2009, 19:26

Originally Posted by scracha

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** · 9th February 2009, 11:45

Originally Posted by humvee

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** · 9th February 2009, 12:57

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

**vifferman** · 9th February 2009, 13:03

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

**scracha** · 10th February 2009, 03:39

Originally Posted by Swoop

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** · 10th February 2009, 04:09

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.