Ok I have read that f4i's have a defective cam chain tensioner which causes a rattle noise between 3-5k rpm.. is this something that has to be fixed right away? If you don't fix it what can go wrong?
Was this some sort of recall that honda sent out to all owners because I don't remember seeing this. How much would it cost to fix if you did it at a shop? Thanks in advance.

 

As far as I know all the older f4i's are affected. Id get it changed as soon as possible. Honda has made a new part but most people I know have gone with an APE manual cct. You can damage your motor if you dont get it fixed. Some shops have fixed it for free under and out of warrenty it really depends from place to place. You can buy a manual cct for like 50 bucks. You can do it yourself but its a real pain in the *** because you dont have much space to work with.

 

I read that Honda has never recalled it because it doesnt HURT the motor its just an annoyin rattle doesnt effect performance/motor longevity.

My motor ran a shitty tensioner for about 5-6k miles and i didnt feel anything wrong just heard that annoying rattle. and when i got the warranty replacement in i didnt feel a difference there either.

 

so is it just an annoyance or can it potentially damage the motor? I just got two different answers from two different members

 

 

Honda only wrote that it was a Defect not a safety recall issue. So it being a defect it doesnt hurt anything it still does its job but it just makes an annoying rattle. If it was a Recall it would harm the motor but its not a recall so i most likely doesnt do much damage.

Like i said i drove with my rattling for 5-6k miles and my motor feels the same as when i got it.

 

this is a common problem with almost all chain driven cam systems, and while the tensioner can become so loose that the chain jumps a tooth, it is very rare and most people will ride for a long time without replacing it.

like others said, your best bet is the aftermarket, manual adjuster and have a qualified shop install it, its not the easiest thing to change out.

that being said, i rode my sv650s for 12k miles with a noisy CCT and never had an issue. almost all 'zuks do it tho

<hugs my VFR with gear diven cams>