I am the luckiest, unlucky person on the planet, maybe. Truth behind CCT noises.

My paranoia around the noises my CCT were making has been justified and to be honest I am extremely lucky that my engine hasn't chewed itself apart.

My bike had it's full service today, cost was estimated at £270 - £280. I am now looking at maybe £500. Why? Well, the mechanic went to pull out the front CCT only to find that some complete numpty, not me, had put the CCT in at an angle and cross threaded the engine case. That's not just it, not only was the CCT not in straight but it was also stuck at a certain length. And that's not even all of it, after removing the rear CCT the mechanic noticed that someone had heli-coiled inside the top of the CCT which hadn't been done properly and was stopping the CCT from doing it's job properly. The front CCT was unstuck and the case heli-coiled with the rear having a temporary fix until I can replace it.

How my bike managed to stay in one piece for over a year and 7k miles I don't know.

Anyway, the rear CCT needs replacing ASAP and after getting back home I noticed the front it making the tell tale tapping/clicking noise that CCT make when they aren't working properly so I need to replace that as well.

I must be the luckiest, unlucky person on the planet. I can't believe how one of the previous owners screwed up so badly.

So basically I need to replace both CCTs. I take it the 2003 model CCT are a straight fit into a Curvy? If so anyone on here with some spare going for cheap. I'm having to borrow some money because this turned out a lot more expensive that I had ever planned. I will be getting the garage to fit the replacement CCTs as I'm not confident enough to do them myself and I just want it doing properly.

From my other half: It's been fine for 7k miles because there's nothing feckin wrong with it. A bolt may have been crossthreaded but if the CCT itself was in at an angle then it would be pi$$ing oil everywhere. More to this than meets the eye.

[andrewsmith]

Who did you take it to?

It sounds like its a bodge/ rush job in the past. You should be ok with the curvy ones, there is many debates on this.
What haven't you replaced on the bike now?

[punyXpress]

I've a pair of new pointy CCTs lurking in my garage if it's any help.
Never needed them, but wait & see what Yorkie Chris has to say about you really needing them.

The front CCT points down so I'm guessing that's why it never spat oil everywhere. I was there when they started removing my CCTs and could see what they were talking about. Someone has had them both out before and done a right botch job of putting them back on. I've had a constant noise from the front CCT since I bought it but was told it was normal cam chain noise and not to worry.

I'm a bit peed off that it's costing so much but glad that the problems been found before any very expensive damage had been done.

I'm not to bothered which CCT I can get as long as they fit, work and are cheap.

A very big thank you to the 2 mechanics who worked for an hour after closing time to get my bike ready. Just need the replacement CCTs and then all is good hopefully.

- It was BDS Motorcycles that I took it to. Taking it back up tomorrow so they can have another quick check over the bike.

Have seen that bodge before..sadly the previous owner of said bike had stitched up a young newbie right and proper, not only did it have similar CCT problems as yours but also a bodged sump plug bolt. The previous guy apparantly spent ages telling him how excellent he was at home spannering and never to trust a pro...

Be careful guys when buying.

Hope you get yours sorted ok..sound like decent chaps up there.