ST1300 Engine noise

[Duporth]

Sounds and feels even better now-- Larry (Igofar) helped me (via white courtesy phone) get the counterbalancers adjusted on the ST tonight. { see thread: "Igofar reviews" for full story}
After adjustment I can feel and hear the bike running smoother with less noise. It's hard to describe the feeling in the handlebars but I was so use to the bike running and rattling that way over time I had lost the memory of what it used be.
Initial impressions: the bike to me is way smoother at idle and much quieter. When I roll the throttle the smoothness is hard to describe---I remember this feeling to way back when the bike was brand new but had failed to recognize the gradual loss of the smoothness and quieter engine operating potential. -- Now it is back--!!!!
All I can say is my reaction was a feeling of dumbfounded that something so simple can make such a difference.
I didn't realize what was missing from so long ago.

I will take for a test ride as soon as all the rain passes in a few days. But for now I am very happy!!

Thank you Larry!!

That sounds like a great outcome ST-T.
Does the operation require the front mid-fairings to be removed? Anyway, its on my list for a next time check.
D

 

[dduelin]

Sounds and feels even better now-- Larry (Igofar) helped me (via white courtesy phone) get the counterbalancers adjusted on the ST tonight. { see thread: "Igofar reviews" for full story}
After adjustment I can feel and hear the bike running smoother with less noise. It's hard to describe the feeling in the handlebars but I was so use to the bike running and rattling that way over time I had lost the memory of what it used be.
Initial impressions: the bike to me is way smoother at idle and much quieter. When I roll the throttle the smoothness is hard to describe---I remember this feeling to way back when the bike was brand new but had failed to recognize the gradual loss of the smoothness and quieter engine operating potential. -- Now it is back--!!!!
All I can say is my reaction was a feeling of dumbfounded that something so simple can make such a difference.
I didn't realize what was missing from so long ago.

I will take for a test ride as soon as all the rain passes in a few days. But for now I am very happy!!

Thank you Larry!!

Are you saying the adjustment makes a difference in engine noise at idle or saying the engine has less vibration?

 

[ST-Traveler]

Are you saying the adjustment makes a difference in engine noise at idle or saying the engine has less vibration?

Yes to both. There was a mid to low pitched "howl" at idle-- ever so subtle-- that's the best way for me to describe it-- it is gone..
The engine smoothness in the handle bars, frame and when rolling the throttle is something I have not felt since the bike was new.. Just didn't realize it was gone...
I still have to take her down the road-- it won't quit raining here !!-- so I will feedback more after that.

The top counter-balancer was adjusted 2 notches and the bottom was 1 notch.

 

[Igofar]

But how is that possible?
When Dave said it only fixes noise
I’ve done so many of these adjustments for folks, and the owners have all found the same results that you got, smoother idle, no noise, and less vibrations.
Good job, hope the rain lets up so you can go out and enjoy riding it again.

 

[ST-Traveler]

I’ve done so many of these adjustments for folks, and the owners have all found the same results that you got, smoother idle, no noise, and less vibrations.

I thought I was in tune with my ST so any little change like that I would notice .. But when it happens very slowly over the coarse of several years and many miles, I was not able to detect it. Now that the adjustment is done I can realize the benefits vs. not doing anything.
- To me the bike just seems to purr better now...
Now patiently waiting to go onto the front suspension fix/ correction.... maybe next sometime week???

 

[Esti1300]

I thought I was in tune with my ST so any little change like that I would notice .. But when it happens very slowly over the coarse of several years and many miles, I was not able to detect it. Now that the adjustment is done I can realize the benefits vs. not doing anything.
- To me the bike just seems to purr better now...
Now patiently waiting to go onto the front suspension fix/ correction.... maybe next sometime week???

Congratulations gents (@ST-Traveler and @Igofar) and thanks for sharing.
I have a sneaky suspicion this will inspire more ST owners to get “In Tune” with their babies.
Speaking of which…

 

[gringo88]

Getting all the snatch or lash out of the driveline and balancers can only be a good thing. I'll bet it is the most neglected maintenance item bar none.

 

[ASPC]

It doesn’t change with the clutch engaged either?

I didn’t see that in the first post. So it wasn’t the clutch.

 

[Hondatechnut12]

I didn’t see that in the first post. So it wasn’t the clutch.

Unlikely the clutch no, I haven’t got a chance to adjust the counter balancers but will post the results when I do. Here’s hoping!!

 

[Gus1300]

I adjusted mine yesterday morning as well; long time overdue item. It may be just my false perception but I think the level of tank vibration (hand placed on tank, not water or anything else more qualitative) was less than before it was adjusted. Engine was cold (raining here as well!), wasn't sure what 'light' resistance was but backed off each adjuster several times and reapproached the resistance to help ensure I had the right spot, then backed off slightly and tightened. Both moved more than expected and I'll get a better feel for performance change when I take the bike out the next time but the noise level was not perceptible to me and I didn't adjust while running.

Hopefully there'll be a noticeable change similar to what others have related!

<edit> Took the bike to DMV this morning and there is a very noticeable difference between what it felt like before and what it feels like now. Again, understanding the previous explanation about how adjusting the counter balancers cannot affect vibration, take my feedback for what you paid for it! All I can say is the bike feels smoother through the seat, on the pedals and via the handlebars/grips.

Photos of what was adjusted below; as far as I know this is the first time they have been adjusted (I bought the bike used in 2007 with 22,200 mi on it and the rest of the time/miles are mine and I know I haven't done it):

lower, before and after (adjusted clockwise)

upper, before and after (adjusted counter, or anti, clockwise)

 

[gringo88]

I adjusted mine yesterday morning as well; long time overdue item. It may be just my false perception but I think the level of tank vibration (hand placed on tank, not water or anything else more qualitative) was less than before it was adjusted. Engine was cold (raining here as well!), wasn't sure what 'light' resistance was but backed off each adjuster several times and reapproached the resistance to help ensure I had the right spot, then backed off slightly and tightened. Both moved more than expected and I'll get a better feel for performance change when I take the bike out the next time but the noise level was not perceptible to me and I didn't adjust while running.

Hopefully there'll be a noticeable change similar to what others have related!

I took mine out today for a nice dry ride up to the ferry terminal and back. The balancer adjustment did pay off in a much quieter ride, not as whiny or chirpy (highly technical enginerd terminology ) I highly recommend this preventive adjustment to bring your ST back to a quiet ride.

 

[ST-Traveler]

wasn't sure what 'light' resistance was but backed off each adjuster several times and reapproached the resistance to help ensure I had the right spot,

Larry had me turn mine until it stopped- Nothing special -- didn't use excessive force but until it stopped then did the adjustment.

 

[gringo88]

Larry had me turn mine until it stopped- Nothing special -- didn't use excessive force but until it stopped then did the adjustment.

Bingo! Sounds like you nailed it!
I'm bittersweet after my ride as i noticed the temp only got 2 bars, so will need to pull it apart again for the thermostat replacement.

 

[ASPC]

As long as we are talking about adjustment of counterbalancers it should be said that this adjustment is a noise thing and not a smoothness thing. The counterbalancers are gear driven off the crankshaft. The adjustment only changes noise by altering gear lash of these gears and does not alter phase of the balance weights in relation to the crankshaft. The counter weights spin on stationary shafts and all the adjustments do is move the shafts laterally so the amount of gear lash or play between driving and driven gear changes. The crank drives the primary balancer which drives the secondary balancer. Too little lash and the gears whine and too much lash they growl or rattle. Adjustments definitely change gear noise at idle and off idle acceleration but cannot possibly alter primary and secondary vibrations.

Yes, it’s impossible to change the balancer timing. As you say adjusting the lash just makes it a little quieter. I did mine a while back.

 

[Igofar]

When done correctly, and carefully, it can/does remove vibration felt through the bars, tank, and use of throttle.
For visual proof, place a clear glass bowl of water on the tank before and after.
When bikes were out of adjustment (too loose) you will see choppy water.
When they are adjusted too tight, you will see vibration/tense water, when they are adjusted properly, you will see smooth water once idle is normal.
Perhaps those folks who tried to do the adjustment, but were unable to obtain smooth results, were not doing the adjustment correctly?

 

[Hondatechnut12]

Your adjuster is off a couple lines if you loosened it, started it, and listened for the noise.
That paragraph should not be in the service manual. That is for really high mileage bikes 300k that normal adjustments won’t work.
If you went back and did it again, you will find your adjuster is off etc.

Hey, finally got around to checking my balance shaft adjustments. At first I thought I could only move them 1 graduation each so I figured I was out of luck for adjustment. But I re thought it and spread the pinch gap apart a tiny be and then felt the resistance way better that way. Ended up getting a bit of adjustment out of them afterwards and notice a big difference. Almost all the noise I was concerned with originally is gone, and it smoother for sure. I’ll attempt to attach before and after pics. Thanks again for all the help from everyone and happy riding lol!!!

 

[Igofar]

From your pictures it appears you attempted your adjustments without cleaning the shaft and adjusters first. So you may have been feeling the resistance of dry shafts and dirt instead of smooth turning to find when resistance starts etc.
I normally soak the arms/shaft with a good penetrating oil or equal parts of ATF/ACETONE several hours, or the night before so I am not questioning the feel of the rotation etc.
Also some folks don’t read the fine print and try to use the punch marks on the lower adjustment, as they did on the upper one, when you should use the line as reference on the lower one.
Did you adjust them and then tighten them down without starting the engine this time?
Sounds like your happier with the results this time.
Good job!
Thanks for posting your experience.

 

[cjames431]

Corrected the adjustment on my STeed. The punch marks are so much easier to see than the line.

 

[Igofar]

Yes, but on the bottom adjuster you need to use the line because the punch mark to the first graduation mark are too far apart etc.
So how did your adjustments turn out?

 

[cjames431]

Yes, but on the bottom adjuster you need to use the line because the punch mark to the first graduation mark are too far apart etc.
So how did your adjustments turn out?

I think it improved. As easy as it is to make I can redo. I did notice a slight tractor rumble while accelerating away from full stop.