hi guys, I have just bought a 900rr, I has a rattle and I suspect the tensioner. Looking for some advice. Do I replace with an auto tensioner or go for a manual one. If some one could guide me in the right direction please.

 

Personally I'd go with a new Honda item. I know some people prefer a manual one, particularly when their OEM one has given them problems but I'd rather 'fit and forget'. I have an RRN ('92 model here in the UK) and that developed a rattle a while back (as in several years ago now!) and I couldn't pin it down to anything/engine speed/throttle opening/anything really. Didn't want to change parts over 'just to rule things out' so did a load of research. Eventually talked to a guy at Jaws M'cycles here in the UK who had produced his own upgraded tensioner for the Blackbird. Basically better materials were used. Now that one didn't fit the RR but he did say that Honda had upgraded their own one for the 900RR and that it would last a lot longer than the original one (just not as long as the one he had developed ....). I duly bought and fitted a new OEM tensioner and all was quiet with my engine again.

I do remember taking the end bolt out of the tensioner when the engine was running and when the 'rattling' started you could feel the end of the tensioner (inside) rattling about (like a buzz).

Maybe not your problem but worth a look. Oh, the Jaws tensioner I mention is at (I presume this is the same one) .... https://www.jaws-motorcycles.co.uk/p...-upgraded-cct/ ... doesn't say much except "Giving you better durability".

 

hi thanks for the reply, I've replaced the tensioner, the old one definitely was gone, I still seem to have a slight rattle or ticking noise. I did notice on the old tensioner that it looked as if some thing had broken off around the rim. I've had the bike ticking over, the noise is slight but it sounds as if its coming from the nearside of the engine. Don't know if you can throw any ideas my way on what to check. Many thanks in advance 👍🏻

 

Not definitively. Can just suggest checking valve clearances, inlet rubber tightness, exhaust clamp/stud tightness etc etc. Oh, and maybe a carb sync? That usually makes things smoother. Obviously a good service before this.

 

many thanks for the reply, ill give it a full service first and see where I stand then. I'll post an update on what happens next. Many thanks for the help.