Hello everybody. Nice forum you've got here.

I'm the owner of a 2001 CBR 600 F with 19,xxx miles on the clock, which I've had for a couple of months.

I've got a ticking noise from the front of the engine which rises in frequency with revs. The bike developed it - or more accurately, I noticed it - a few weeks ago. At first I thought it was the CCT, but after hearing that on YouTube videos, ruled it out. Then I decided it was normal engine noise, and was prepared to live with it, but now I'm almost certain the bike is a lot less powerful than it used to be.

I used to crack open the throttle and hold on for dear life, even at lowish revs, but now the bike doesn't feel like it's trying to get up from under me. It feels sluggish. It revs freely, there's just no accompanying speed.

The garage where I bought it told me they replaced the headers with S/S ones because the stock ones had rusted away, making me think it might be exhaust related. But mostly, from what little mechanical knowledge I have, I'm leaning towards a valve issue.

Any advice would be truly appreciated.