Rattling Ticking noise that's only heard when Touching either the gas tank or frame

So I've got a sound coming from my 02 VFR that I can only hear when I rest either my arm or my leg on the gas tank or frame. It goes away when pulling the clutch in. I already did CCT and don't have the PAIR Valve or the flapper. It's got just under 40k miles and it always gets in my head when I do hear it. I've tried narrowing it down with a mechanics stethoscope and that didn't help because I couldn't quite hear it. Could it be my clutch basket?

 

Yes.

Whether you have an actual problem or not - no idea. I can say that MANY Hondas have a clutch basket "rumble" that goes away when the clutch is pulled in. I have multiple VFRs with less than 20K and they all have some degree of clutch basket noise in neutral with the clutch out.

Now... a rattling / ticking noise? That sounds different than what I would describe I feel / hear on my bikes. I would probably investigate with that mileage.

 

Has there been any issues with the Fuel injectors going bad and getting loud. It runs really good as far as I can tell but I do think it's getting a bit rich on occasion. This is a very light noise and as soon as your arm or leg isn't touching a hard point you basically can't hear it, but it drives me nuts when I can hear it in the back of my head.

 

Fuel injectors, as far as I know, don't know when a clutch lever has been pulled in.

 

Only thing I could think is they aren't audible because it's dropping back to idle. instead of 3-4k

 

Wait what?

So this is when you're riding and then you pull in the clutch and coast?

How many miles on your chain and sprockets?

 

I don't hear it when I pull the clutch in. When I'm accelerating or engine braking I can hear it but while coasting it more or less goes away. I can also occasionally hear it much less frequently at idle when I'm sitting at a light. It seems louder on the left side of the bike but it's hard to tell.

 

This is impossible to diagnose this way.

Verify condition of your chain and sprockets. Prepare to investigate your clutch.

I'm out. Ride the fuck out of it until you get something to actually go on.

 

They have about 500-600 miles on them. Chain and sprocket are fine. based on the information you provided about clutch stuff it's probably not that.

I'm not asking you to diagnose it I was just hoping to some ideas to go off of.

 

I didn't say "This is impossible for ME to diagnose this way". I gave you 2 ideas.

Honestly sounds like you have rattling / buzzing bodywork or a loose bracket. But without actually hearing or feeling it, everybody is just gonna throw random shit out there.

Random shit: Maybe take some bodywork off, take a look around and go for another ride with them off.

 

You say you don't have the flapper system. Perhaps you've only removed and blocked off the vacuum hose to the flapper diaphragm.
Have you unplugged the electrical connector to the Flapper control solenoid? If not, then unplug it and see if this stops the noise.

Also if the PAIR system is blocked off but the control valve is still electrically connected try unplugging the PAIR valve. Unplugging these valves will not flag an Fi fault code. Both of these valves can cause strange noises and are tied in with clutch lever operation.

If you are saying you can still hear the noise when stationary at idle at traffic lights, that would mean it's unlikely a drive chain issue! Have you recently replaced Both CCTs Or only one?

 

>>> if rubber side buffers are missing the tank will bump around and vibrate.

 

Rattle noises can be caused by all manner if sources. It could be something as simple as a stray connector resting and rattling against the frame/fairing. We really need more to go on.

Perhaps it is time to put the bike up on the main stand and make a YouTube video as you walk around the VFR to show the area where the noise appears to be coming from?

When you are done just post up a link. At the moment it really is working in the dark.

 

Does it happen if the lights are on & its not night time?