I get some noise out of the right side of my engine when my bike warms up, particularly in 3rd gear decelerating from 4000 rpm to 3000 rpm. I was going to try to fudge and swap in some 20w50 oil to see if it'd help any but I'm going to be honest with myself and admit my cam chain tensioner is shot (or on it's way out).

I've read all the threads recommending the APE manual tensioner but is there any particular reason not to just install a new OEM automatic tensioner? Frankly, I'm not interested in fiddling around adjusting the manual one and it's not like I pile the miles on this bike so I'm looking for the simplest solution. The OEM has lasted over 30k on this bike so far so that'll get me through about the next 20 years at the rate I'm riding, lol.

 

No, not at all. Go for it. It is the simplest solution that you're looking for.

Have you been running 10w40? You could try Rotella T 15W40 til you get the new CCT. Rotella has shown very good results in F4/F4i's (among many others).

 

That's exactly what I did, el-cid. Straight OEM tensioner. I'm not sure that it made the install any easier, I was just afraid to mess up the adjustment and do something horrible.

I've been running 10w40 Rotella-T synthetic too; works great.

 

I bought this bike in January and due to the super wet and cold Spring here in Montana I'm just starting to get it out regularly. The story goes that the kid that owned it was stunting it in a parking lot, dumped it and broke the cam cover losing the oil. He pulled the engine and rebuilt it (he worked in a cycle shop) with someone over his shoulder, adjusting the valves rejetting the carbs at the same time. I don't know what oil's in it nor much else about it but it does run like a swiss watch, other than the cam chain noise.

I'll probably just get another OEM tensioner from the dealer and swap in some Amsoil at the same time. Maybe I will try the Rotella until I get to it. Oh, and thanks for the help all!

 

I went with another Honda oem on as well.. Maybe 3000 or 4000 miles ago.. On first ride it felt so quiet too...