[SSC]

Hi, 1st time posted just found this site today. Ive heard about it but this is the 1st time Ive found it.

I have an 08 1100 v-star I got it brand new and have put 3600 miles on it. As a matter of fact Im doing my 3rd oil change today and am going to switch to a thicker M1 oil. IIRC I used 10w 40 mobile 1 v twin oil last time around December 08 I dident get to ride to much last year glad I dident since we had a few huge hail storms and my bike would have been sitting outside at work.

Anyway since day 1 Ive had a deep knock on accel and cruise at higher speed under slight load. I spoke to the dealer they said it was normal engine noise for these bikes. Its that true? I do have a valve tick now when the engine warms up which isnt a biggie I checked the lash at 2k and it was in spec. Its just this deeper noise that has me concerned.

any suggestions would be great at least put my mind at ease.

 

[linerdave]

Noise

SSC,

It is hard to read about a noise and make a call. We see lots about noise here. V Twins, specially air cooled V Twins are noisy. We are not shielded from the motor and there is no water jacket. The air intake sucks in large amounts of air at a time, so we get lots of intake noise. When we start to open up the air flow things get louder.

There is a rythm, feeling, and sound to cruising on a cruise. It is part of the pleasure of a V Twin. As to your noise. My best advise would to try to hear another bike like yours. I would hate to tell you there is not a problem then have an expensive problem show up later, but normaly it does not.

I believe Yamaha recomends 20 W 50 oil. Some of this may be to cover noise.

Dave

 

[DMTJOY]

I am a little concerned that you switched to teh synthetic oil a little early, before everything was broke in. I would deffently go with the 20w-50 Mobil 1, if you are using Mobil 1 now. Somethings to check. Is the noise there under heavy acceleration? You can use a long screwdriver with the tip against the case in differant locations and the handle up to your ear for listing the the internal working of the engine.
But like Dave says it is hard to tell what a noise is over the internet. Hope this helps and good luck

 

[90GT_Cobra]

You can use a long screwdriver with the tip against the case in differant locations and the handle up to your ear for listing the the internal working of the engine.

A broom handle works as well, just make sure to unscrew it from the broom head first!

 

[Sugar Bear]

1100 noise

Dave and Doug, I agree with. I run an 1100 and it does make plenty of noise, but, like Dave I would sure hate to say nothing is wrong, but it is the nature of the bike. With Doug, I use 20-50, would not want to use anything thinner, air cooled do get plenty hot. Hope it works out for you Have fun, Ride Safe.............

 

[SSC]

Yeah I switched to synthetic early for most people. The rings were seated when I did the switch so no harm on that end also dumped the diff oil and filled her up with royal purple. It is my 3rd oil change just found my papers I ran it for 800 according to my scribbles on the factory oil then to 2241 on the second oil change which was Torco 10w 40 dino juice that when I switched over to M1. I went with the 10w 40 cause I could swear thats what the owners manual said to run. This oil change I could not find more then 2 quarts of M1 20w 50 in town so I just went with the Valvoline 4 stroke 20w 50 just to get the old oil out. It just throws me for a loop my first cruiser was an 83 FXDG that was quiet until the oil pump took a crap. I may be paranoid due to loosing one bike already.

 

[linerdave]

Oil

SSC,

Don't feel bad about the oil. Yamaha apparently changed their mind. My 06 owners manual also calls for 20 w 40 oil. But the new manauls and my dealer call for 20 w 50. Guess they decided t go for heaver oil. Maybe to lower noise?

Dave

 

[SSC]

Yeah I dont think i will give it much more thought. With the thicker oil in the the bike it runs better. The engine feels smoother so I dont think im going to switch back to the thinner oil any time soon. Granted I may dump the oil at the end of summer and get synthetic back in as well as get the oil filter relocation kit.