Hey ya all,

I bought a 1990 CBR1000F a month ago and have been riding every day.

Now the problem witch accoured allready on purchace Is that rattle noise in my engine. I didnt make a big deal from it cause that can be fixed. I drive with it every day and I dont have a huge problem at the moment but at the end of may comes my first longer trip and I want it to be as good as it can be. I ve got the manual readed thro many times and I have opened the motor also once (opened it when I changed valves) just to see if everything else seems to be okay.

The situation is that Now I am desperate to change the tentioner. Have searched allkind of info but still bummed.

I have read thro the internet how this is a typical problematic part in 1990 cbrs.

So my question is in many questions.

Like does it have to be same models tentioner? Maybe a year younger or older would do? (if I am considering visiting junkjards. And if it is a type problem then looking to junkjard is not the brightest idea? No point for buying a b series tentioner cause it would last less time and new one is not enourmously more expensive?

Sorry if posted to wrong cat.

TR

 

Hey Missynet, how many km's has your bike done ?

The Tensioners on these old girls are hydraulic. It generally takes a few minutes for the CCT (cam chain tensioner) chamber to fill up with oil & provide tension from a cold start (usually when left overnight).

If the 'rattle' goes away when she's warmed up then everything is fine.

Every bike seems to be different. I had an '88 @ 50,000 + km that didn't make the 'rattle' but my '91 has always done it even tho i replaced the CCT the noise just came right back something like 3,000 km later.

There is a looong post on it somewhere.

 

Here's a how too, on the cam chain tensioner.

https://cbrforum.com/forum/how-tos-8...cement-103362/

Unfortunately the many excellent pictures have disappeared but it should give you an idea of what is involved.

However, as mentioned, they all rattle to an extent when cold. It should get better when the bike is warmed up. Also using a heavier oil (20w50) might help.

Syncing the carbs will help the engine run quieter and smoother,


https://cbrforum.com/forum/how-tos-8...ctures-115891/


also you could try adjusting the balancer shaft.

https://cbrforum.com/forum/how-tos-8...stment-107818/




.

 

Indeed we lost a member very recently "MIchaelParks" RIP and the pics for the
cct "How To" are now unfortunately gone as well.

Key thing is if the rattle goes away once the engine is warmed up I would hold off.
If it's perpetual - then yeah - time for a new tensioner and (split) chain
using heavier weight motorcycle specific oil 20/50 can help a little too

 

Or modify the tensioner
MANY posts on this

The UK
or
David Silver Spares - HOME have tensioner.
The latest models will fit your bike - I fitted one.

My bike (1990) rattles even with 3 camchain changes and a new tensioner - goes away when hot. I don't bother about it anymore

I may modify the tensioner at some future date...............

 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it!

Bike has around 122 k s on it. Thats also one of the reasons, I dont know if anyone has changed it before.

Thanks you all for suggestions and those pages again. I have red those thro ferral and I am not very convinsed yet about those different modifications. But I am thinking about it. First I need to get meself a new tentioner

Hmm I was thinking yesterday why some have pic removed. Thats sad indeed

So I should not be afraid on going to 1500 km trip then?

I know theres many post on this subjects and I dont want to make another looong one here

 

1500 KM trip : .....well does it quiet down after it's fully warmed up ?

 

Lol shoked?

Yea 1500 tohether one weeks holiday back in home

well it does go a little bit quieter but not in that big sence. It still stays there.

Thats why I got into the idea of changing it before I make that trip

Dont want to go home with it and then to nearest spare parts shop lol

 

Trip sounds cool.

fwiw if your bikes done 122,000km with a rattley cam chain i wouldn't think another 1,500km would do much harm.

As has been mentioned, It's normal for some rattle on cold startup & perhaps at low revs. But in most cases the rattle disappears or quietens significantly when the engine is up to normal operating temp.

As also mentioned..... a valve adjustment / balancer adjustment & carb balance can also help to reduce the rattle but it sounds like your cam chain & CCT are simply worn. Keep in mind these bikes also have a primary chain & alternator chain.

If you are worried about it, a good bike mechanic should be able to make a judgement call base on the noise at normal operating temp for piece of mind.

fwiw, In winter, at cold start up to about 5-10 minutes mine sounded like someone dropped a bunch of marbles in the engine, even after changing the CCT. You could literally hear the chain slapping about but it was always quiet when warmed up. Everyone i talked to including bike mechanics said it was just normal for these bikes.

A usefull link to parts is .... MrCycles

Enjoy your trip !

 

Yeap well luckily I have a bit time for that. After i changed the valves it goes on mutch easier and it does not take that mutch time for it to warm up, not even when there is a cold start. Takes as mutch as when I get my earpiece adjusted, helmet on and gloves, by that time it is running by all means and ready to go.

Its not the worst case of noise that I have heard but as I said I really dont want to stay on the road because I just gave it a chance

And there is not mutch differance in cold or warm run, very small differance.



Will look around, hopefully I can find a proper solution, tough one guy I know who repares cars generally and has had many bikes, said that a longer spring and it will run good. I think I will let him try that theory, he says it will do and I have red that few people in forums have done similar and just in case order the spare part anyway.

I m just bad at desisions

I will see also about those suggestions, I ve got the manual ,

Defenetly before we start making any changes or replacement!

Cheers mate! Thanks for taking time