Hi all. I have a stock 2006 VN900 Classic with a stock exhaust system, and just under 48000km on it.
It's regularly serviced (due again at 55000km) and I have just today changed the oil, but I've noticed lately it doesn't sound or perform right.
The best way I can describe the performance is like a slight surge when I'm riding at a constant speed, and it almost feels like I'm dragging something along...
I've checked the brakes, and there's nothing caught up in them and the pads and rotors aren't overly worn.
There is a noise that I can best describe as a slight "whoosh" from the left side of the motor as I'm riding along, and It doesn't sound too great while idling either.
I've attached a video of it idling... I can't quite put my finger on it, but it doesn't sound right to me.
Unfortunately I can't get decent audio of the sounds it makes while riding.
I have an inkling that it may be the dreaded stator issue endemic in this model, but am unsure.
Sounds normal to me. The stator issue usually is signaled by a relatively loud whining sound from that side of the engine, but I do not hear any evidence of that.
Sounds normal to me. Maybe check the airbox and make sure there are no leaks/hose off going into it. Almost sounds like your getting a rush of new air at a certain speed...........a guess....
....you know as well, a lot of people have had weird things happen that ended up being the stator, maybe you could search the site and find a test or more indications of stator failure.........again......what do I know? I am certainly not the expert, just a back yard mechanic. There are experts on this site though that have saved me tons of money and explained things perfectly.....
I've listened several times and it sounds normal to me too. There could be a slight knocking noise, but that could just be the video. I think the best way to know if you have a stator problem is to do battery test while the bike is running. As far as the slight surge goes, it could be fuel related (this tank of fuel). How is the air filter?
The air filter was replaced approx 4 or 5 months ago during a major service.
The knocking noise you hear is also what I hear, and with a dowel placed to my ear and the top of the heads it seems definitely louder.
I've been told by a workmate who has been around bikes all his life that he believes it could be the valve shims needing replacement, but he also thinks it could be the cam chain tensioner...
I'm at a complete loss. I don't know if it's still safe to ride, or if riding it will cause further damage.
My mechanic can't come over to have a look until after Christmas, due to his current workload, and I'm loathe to bring it to another workshop, as my current mechanic has worked on this bike since the previous owner bought it new back in 2006...
Further about the stator - I have a voltmeter on my bike and when the dreaded whine sound began the voltmeter read the voltage as being the nominal (no charge and with discharging) battery voltage, about 12v.
If your are responding to my post about my voltmeter reading, that post noted that the low about 12v reading indicated stator failure. Normal for mine is 13+ volts with the engine running.
You say, regulary serviced. Has the valve lash been checked at the proper intervals?If you're concerned about the shims, a clearance check is called for. Not a difficult job, does require pulling the gas tank and valve covers. I believe the tensioner check is pretty easy too, but that I've never done.
I agree with SteveJB, the valve lash needs to be checked. Since you have isolated the knocking noise to the top of the heads, then I think pulling the valve covers would be in order. See what you find after that.
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