My bike makes a loud rattling noise when above 3500 RPM

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  • andrewclaycomb
    #1

    My bike makes a loud rattling noise when above 3500 RPM

    My bike makes a loud rattling noise when above 3500 RPM. What do you think it is? It's done this for as long as I've owned it. It's clearly audible above my Vance & Hines 4-1.

    EDIT: It's actually more of a buzzing sound.
    Last edited by Guest; 03-27-2008, 01:27 AM.
    Tags: None
    • chuckycheese
      Forum Sage
      Charter Member
      Past Site Supporter
      • May 2002
      • 3869
      • The Gulf Coast of south Florida in the winter and northern Nevada in the summer
      #2
      How long?

      The first question I can think of is.....how long have you owned it??
      1980 GS1100E....Number 15!

        Comment

        • andrewclaycomb
          #3
          About a year and a half, I've had a few different mechanics work on different things and none of them have ever thought to mention that it is a problem. Could it be valve clearance?

            Comment

            • tkent02
              Forum LongTimer
              Past Site Supporter
              • Jan 2006
              • 35571
              • Near South Park
              #4
              Use a hose in one ear as a listening tool, where is the noise coming from?
              Excessive valve clearance is usually noticed at low RPM.
              http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

              Life is too short to ride an L.

                Comment

                • Guest
                  #5
                  Originally posted by tkent02
                  Use a hose in one ear as a listening tool, where is the noise coming from?
                  Excessive valve clearance is usually noticed at low RPM.
                  What about the other ear?

                    Comment

                    • tkent02
                      Forum LongTimer
                      Past Site Supporter
                      • Jan 2006
                      • 35571
                      • Near South Park
                      #6
                      Originally posted by derwood
                      What about the other ear?
                      Put a spark plug in it and turn on the ignition.
                      http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

                      Life is too short to ride an L.

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                        • 49er
                          Forum Sage
                          Past Site Supporter
                          • Jul 2006
                          • 1517
                          • Napier, New Zealand
                          #7
                          Originally posted by tkent02
                          Put a spark plug in it and turn on the ignition.
                          Forget about the spark plug, it will only give you another headache. Put your hose on the muffer area. Careful you dont burn it though. 8-[
                          If your engine has survived with that noise for 18 months, it's probably just a loose baffle!
                          :) The road to hell is paved with good intentions......................................

                          GS 850GN JE 894 10.5-1 pistons, Barnett Clutch, C-W 4-1, B-B MPD Ignition, Progressive suspension, Sport Demons. Sold
                          GS 850GT JE 1023 11-1 pistons. Sold
                          GS1150ES3 stock, V&H 4-1. Sold
                          GS1100GD, future resto project. Sold

                          http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/P1000001.jpg
                          http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/P1000581.jpg

                            Comment

                            • andrewclaycomb
                              #8
                              Thats a really good idea. Shortly after I go the bike I changed the exhaust to a Vance and Hines 4-1.

                              Tomorrow I'll have to experiment.

                                Comment

                                • Guest
                                  #9
                                  You could be lean on the needle circuit. Is it a pinging or a rattle. If the sound is close together and consistent like metal ball bearings bouncing between two walls it is a ping and you need to raise the needle a half notch to a full notch.

                                    Comment

                                    • andrewclaycomb
                                      #10
                                      I would say it's more of a buzz now that I think about it. I've noticed that if I'm quickly accelerating it doesn't happen as often. It's more of a slow acceleration noise. I shift right when I hear it, so maybe that's why I haven't had any problems.

                                        Comment

                                        • KRISTI'SGS550
                                          #11
                                          like a vibrating buzz?

                                          Cory

                                            Comment

                                            • Guest
                                              #12
                                              Fuel tank? Chain guard? Old mirrors?

                                                Comment

                                                • KRISTI'SGS550
                                                  #13
                                                  I was thinking maybe headlight, dummy light panel, guages, or either hand controls maybe?

                                                  Cory

                                                    Comment

                                                    • tkent02
                                                      Forum LongTimer
                                                      Past Site Supporter
                                                      • Jan 2006
                                                      • 35571
                                                      • Near South Park
                                                      #14
                                                      You shift at 3500 RPM?

                                                      Whhaaaattttttttttttttttt?
                                                      http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

                                                      Life is too short to ride an L.

                                                        Comment

                                                        • KRISTI'SGS550
                                                          #15
                                                          is the sound coming from your gears?

                                                          Cory

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