Hi all, I've just bought a 954 and rode it home with ear plugs in, after riding it the next day without ear plugs I can hear a light knocking noise at 4000rpm and up.
if stationary and revved up there is no noise and the engine sounds perfect.
If it was cam chain rattle surely it would do it when stationary also ?
The drive chain for the rear wheel is lubed and set at the correct tension.
I have checked for loose nuts bolts and checked the spark plugs are tight but these things would make a noise when stationary.
Chain and sprockets are in excellent condition.
I'm thinking it's the cct at fault but why can't I only hear the noise when moving ?

 

The automatic cam chain tensioner assembly used to go bad Honda engines of that era. My 92 F2 and 06 F4i both had that issue. The assembly houses a spring and piston that is supposed to keep pressure on the internal cam chain tensioner and take up any slack in the cam chain. The piston would get stuck and the symptom was a rattle that started at about 4K RPM. I dont know if this plagued the 954s as well or not.

The cam chain tensioner assembly part has been superseded with a newer design. If that is your issue it is an $85 part and about three hours of billable labor.

 

954rr's are known for eating their factory CCT's & yes they can be weird at playing up? So even if you have a slight worry it could be the CCT? Go & get a manual one as they are excellent where you only have to re adjust every 4000/5000K's( 10 minutes at the most) , as to let a suspect factory CCT slide? could cost you. But with this rattle? my 954's gear leaver connecting bar makes this rattle but at 5000 to 6000 rpm's but only if my foot is not touching the foot leaver. Have a wiggle go at the area where you think the noise is coming from & i bet it's usually not a big deal. C.W