2004 FJR starting to tick...

[Bogie]

So in the mornings when I first start my bike it has some valve noise.   My 'YES' program expired last year in October so the question is 'Do you think Yamaha will repair this bike or not?'

On the other hand, and probably wishful thinking on my part, maybe it just needs a valve adjustment. It has 47K miles on it and had an adjustment at 27K. Two valves were tight at that adjustment.

Normally a bike that's 5 years old with almost 50K miles on it wouldn't even be considered for a warranty type repair but with the known issues on the Gen I FJRs maybe they would do it.  

L8r, Carl

[dorklord]

Are you a member of the fjrforum? I'm sure that there are plenty of members over there that are knowledgeable enough to help you determine if our bike is experiencing the dreaded tick, or if it is just in need to adjustment, or another, third thing.

From what I've read over there, it sounds like Yamaha has, on the whole, been good to those who have had tickers. I think finding a good dealer who knows about the problem is certainly helpful.

Also, from what I understand, the tick tends to be something that slowly increases in annoyance. At first just a sound in the right conditions, up to a constant sound, then a little oil starts to leak past the valves into the exhaust. It sounds like some owners went many many miles before getting their bikes fixed, but it is always best to bring up the issue as early as possible, especially when you are hoping to get a Yamaha 'good faith' coverage of an out-of-warranty bike.

[Black Ice]

You're totally screwed and the bike is worthless.  Give it to me.  
















 

[Bogie]

You're totally screwed and the bike is worthless.  Give it to me.  


You've got a cruel streak,,,you know that?  













 

[dorklord]

You're totally screwed and the bike is worthless.  Give it to me.  
 

I was planning to tell him that over on the FRJ forum!

[Ipassu?]

So in the mornings when I first start my bike it has some valve noise.   My 'YES' program expired last year in October so the question is 'Do you think Yamaha will repair this bike or not?'

On the other hand, and probably wishful thinking on my part, maybe it just needs a valve adjustment. It has 47K miles on it and had an adjustment at 27K. Two valves were tight at that adjustment.

Normally a bike that's 5 years old with almost 50K miles on it wouldn't even be considered for a warranty type repair but with the known issues on the Gen I FJRs maybe they would do it.  

L8r, Carl

From the info I have gathered the tick noise is loudest when the engine is fully warmed up and worst at 3500 rrpm to 4000 rpm. and it   is really loud like steak knives hammering on a stainless steel sink . There are audio clips of it so check it out I hope this helps. Also cam chain tensioners can go and when this   happens things can get ugly fast.

[FJRmgm]

my '05 FJR is a repaired ticker at 15k miles (47k miles ago) so I have some experience.

Noise was loudest when the bike was fully warmed up and running at 2500-3500 rpms under a light or decelerating load in 2nd or 3rd gear.

All the noise was on the left side, which seemed to be the most common, and was due to excessive exhaust valve guide wear (.009 worn versus .001 spec) on #2 cylinder.

Root cause was determined to be exhaust valve guide seals that were too tight so they didn't allow enough lube to the hotter running exhaust valve stems.

Most of the tickers experienced it much sooner than than 40k+ miles so I am wondering if yours might be injectors or cam chain tensioner noise?

Post up over at www.fjrforum.com and maybe someone with a repaired ticker can listen to yours.

Since the root cause was determined, Yamaha has fixed all tickers at either no or minimal cost.

Good luck with yours and let us know.

[Black Ice]

You've got a cruel streak,,,you know that?

It's not a streak, it's my entire personality.  I have my nicer moments, but they're usually reserved for when I'm trying to get laid or borrow money.  

[Bogie]

Thanks for the info guys. mines 'ticking' mostly at idle and goes away as the machine warms up. At 47K I'm thinking I'll take it in for a checkup and maybe an early valve adjustment. Cam chain huh?...scary! I've heard of a few 'Busas hand grenading from CCT problems.

L8r, Carl

[Huron52]

If the cam chain has not been replaced.... That would be a great start. Do it! Then see if it still has that noise.   By the way... if the cam chain does totally go south it might skip a gear and then everything comes together with a stop. And that's not good!

  I had mine changed at 50,000miles/80,000kilometers  I now have over 100,000miles or 170,000 kilometers

Which reminds me... I may have it changed again...

[radman]

Replaced tensioner on 05 that had intermittent noise right side at 54K, especially cold.  Noise gone.

[1KPerDay]

 I have my nicer moments, but they're usually reserved for when I'm trying to borrow money so I can get laid.

fixed  

[brockep]

I have an 03 that i bought last fall with 5600 miles on it, it now has 14,000 and i have started to notice the same tick you describe on the left side right at 3500 RPM.  I fixed my by wearing ear plugs when i go riding.

[greench440]

You have the tick. Get it to a dealer ASAP.

Pretty soon there won't be earplugs strong enough.  

[Black Ice]

fixed  

OUCH!  Hey, I only paid for it once and yo mamma still owes me change.