GS750 engine noise at high rpm

[oldGSfan]

Well I used my stethoscope and figured out where the rattle is coming from. Not a loose timing chain, or a catastrophic engine failure, but a...wait for it...loose exhaust heat shield lol. I psyched myself out for nothing. It sounded like it was coming from the top of the engine and then with the coincidence of the tach cable replacement and the sound reverberating up through the cable I was sure it was coming from the engine. So I guess I won't be needing a new motor, just a 10 cent bolt haha. But thanks for the replies, next time I post I'll make sure it's actually something serious lol.

Oh yeah, that's what I was gonna tell you....

[longranger44]

Great to hear, you're kind'f double lucky. When my heat shields came off the little tabs broke, not just a bolt came out. I don't want to hear your next post, I never like serious problems... Congrats.

Ha true. That's too bad they broke completely like that, I hope you were able to find new shields for not too much money, I was able to get the middle section of pipes off of ebay for pretty cheap as mine were totally rusted out. That might be a good place to look for some used ones.

[longranger44]

Don’t beat yourself up. Important part is you found the issue, and it cost you nothing. If the people that replied were truly bothered by what you might think was a silly question, they wouldn’t have bothered to reply. Sometimes we all need a reminder to KISS, and check the easy, cheap stuff first. And thanks for reporting back. It’s always nice to have a mystery solved.

Thanks I appreciate that, yep I should've thought of the simple stuff first, I've got years of experience working on cars but none working on motorcycles so it's definitely a bit more of a learning curve than other vehicles I've bought. I'm just relieved that something simple and that I'll be able to ride a bit more before the snow hits.

[longranger44]

Now that's a happy ending. When I heard your recording of the sound, I thought, "I wouldn't ride that." Best of all outcomes!

Haha yep it definitely was disturbingly loud, I put off even looking at it for days because I was dreading it being something bad.

[longranger44]

Oh yeah, that's what I was gonna tell you....

Your comment about the levers rattling did get me thinking about it possibly being something peripheral instead of the motor though so thanks!