After a lot searching and reading, I now believe I have the well-known TCT noise - it certainly matches all the descriptions at any rate. So, my questions are;

1. Is it somehow possible to verify the TCT is in fact the issue, and not some belt-driven component?
   
2. If/when I go ahead, I'll be replacing it with a Ballade Sports unit, having read nothing but good things about them. Is there a better way to order to the UK, or just literally buy from the site as normal and specify my UK address? Also is there any S2KI member discount?
   
3. Finally, having read the TCT DIY - Replacement or repair sticky, I'm a little unclear about pulling the cotter pin. Is this part of the TCT itself you need to remove through the maintenance hole after bolting it in? Is it even relevant for the Ballade Sports version (as I've read about some kind of wingnut arrangement in its place)?

Thanks in advance, as always.

 

My experience was that Ballade order was from the site but you can message them through Traders on here. I didn't get a discount for being a member but they might help in other ways

There's no pin afaik as the butterfly was holding the spring back. Once removed it was simply a case of putting the blanking plate on.

I saw some You Tubes of pin extraction from DIY and didn't fancy it.

 

1. Change it/fix it. If it doesn't get better, it wasn't the TCT.
2. No idea.
3. The Honda ones come with the pin. If you repair/refit your existing one you can achieve the same using a 5mm bolt and nut (or just put a pin in yourself). Looking at the picture it looks like Ballade comes with the bolt.

It's a spring loaded piston so you need to fit it with the the piston held back, and then release it. Don't be tempted to force it into place and bolt it up or you risk overtightening the cam chain and you'll be looking for a new engine.

 

I did it once and it is a bit scary. You don't want to drop it.

 

This is how I do mine, easier and safer. Takes less than an hour to remove, sand and refit.

 

I have done it *loads* of times and never had an issue.

 

Went through two Honda TCTs in under a year... changed to Ballade... worth every penny! No problems since. Super nice piece of work and installation was nicer without having to remove the Honda pin - just a bolt instead. And it arrived in under 5 days from sunny Cali!

 

That's good to know. How did you order yours? Direct from their site?

 

Yep, direct on the site. They have international shipping options

 

Thanks. And thanks to everyone who's replied - I think that's all my questions answered. Basically, replace it and see if the problem goes away, order directly, pin now a bolt with the Ballade.

Ordering now...