My 03 954 seems alittle noisey. The noise is in the motor and sounds like a chain rattling (kinda). Its there when im riding but goes away when I pull in the clutch. I guess it could be timing chain slap. I have 7kmi. on my bike but havent ever had the noise checked. Im wondering if anyone else has noticed this noise on their bikes and if anyone knows what it is and if its something to worry abnout.

 

My "02" noise was a lower cam chain guide mount bolt left loose by an illustrious Honda dealer mechanic.
Could also be the automatic cam chain tensioner. Common problem with the 600'S

Rich

 

I got a similar sound out of my 03 too. I turned on the bike, let it warm up for maybe 10-15 minutes, then took it down the street kind of hard. Redlined it once, probably for the first time ever. By the time I got home from work, I started hearing a ticking sound coming from the engine area. I thought maybe the valves are lound because the engine is hot about 218 degreees, and the oil is thinning. I waited till the next morning and the ticking sound is still there. I hope it's not bent valve. any ideas on what else it could be?

 

Mine started out as a ticking.
I've was told it was injector noise.
I have heard the injectors can create similar noise.

 

I've been told to just ignore those noises, because they go away.

 

Whoever told you that should go away.[&:]

 

every 954 i heard has a little noise, doens't sound exactly right but that's how it is i guess

 

Does the noise happen when you first start and goes away after it warms up to normal operating temp? (85c)

 

with a name like wheelie monster i bet you do a lot of wheelies and if you think about it that puts a lot of strain on the clutch basket assembly now you say that w/ clutch out it makes the noise but squeeze the lever and it goes away first should tell you it is a clutch issue. the noise is common to sport bikes if you take a stethascope and listen to the case cover slightly above and in front of your right foot the noise will be most noticable here. pull out your service manual and disassemble the clutch basket go to honda buy new parts reassemble and noise is gone. injectors do cause a pulse noise but is very unnoticable