Engine Rattling Then Won't Turn on

Hey yall I'm back with another problem on my 04 vfr (99% sure my fault). I was riding the other day cruising around 30/40 mph when I heard some rattling coming from the engine when revving and then the bike shut off and wouldn't turn on. I made a handful attempts after to start it but it's not even cranking. After some research I assume it's the cam chain because it was something I didn't know needed to be maintained T_T. The bike is just shy of 20,000 miles and I plan to dive in and see what mess can be in there. Is there another possible reason why the bike could not be starting? Is there anything else I should be inspecting/replacing once I get in the engine? I appreciate the help as always!


What happened to the cbr in this video sounds very similar to what happened to me.

 

Bummer!
So, the engine is locked up? It won't turn over with the starter?

 

correct. the dash lights up normally and the Fi light does its check but when I hit the starter button theres just a click then silence. I tried uploading a video but the website wouldn’t let me.

 

Yeah, you have to use a "host" like YouTube and upload the link.

I have no expertise with the 6th gen and following cam chain, but I'm sure that someone who does will chime in.
While you are waiting you might want to pull the battery out, charge it over night till full, then take it to a local auto parts store and have it load tested.

 

I just replaced the battery because of a warranty but thats a good reminder to connect the maintainer. thanks again!

 

I would eliminate other simpler causes first. The cam chain breaking on a 20k mile bike would be crazy rare unless the bike was badly abused. The video you linked about the fireblade had a manual tensioner adjusted too tight, so unless you know your bike has a manual tensioner, I would look elsewhere for the issue first like the electrical system.

 

Take the maintenance cap off the clutch cover and try to turn the engine over with a socket; that will tell you if it is locked up or not. I agree that hearing just a click is probably low battery voltage. Try jumper cables and see if that changes things. A failed alternator or regulator/rectifier is a common fault on VFRs and yours is 20 years old.

Camchains are meant to be maintenance free with automatically adjusting tensioners but these sometimes fail especially the front one. You would usually here a low rev rattle as the warning sign but AFAIK they don't fail in any catastrophic way.