1150 engine sounds.....

Bikermike1411

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So, what noises are 'normal' on these big boxers? I'm not familiar with their unique character - so I may be worrying over nothing, but.....

Mine has ticking which i'm pretty sure is one of the throttle bodies, and the clutch has a slight rattle at tickover which goes when you pull the lever. However, the one which is keeping me up at night is a steady knocking sound, which I can't quite pinpoint. It's not overly loud, but it definitely speeds up with the revs. I daren't google it in case I see even a single article about big/little ends going.....The bike starts easily enough, and the noise is only really noticeable after it's warmed up slightly....which worries me.

Any ideas as to what it could be chaps? Have I got much to worry about?

If anyone is local to me (East Lancs) and would be happy to let me hear theirs i'd be much obliged!
 
Buy some ear plugs! You will be a happier chappie! The throttle bodies do tick a bit when they are slightly worn. Nothing to worry about necessarily. It's easy to check this by just putting your finger on the cable spindle. Noise should stop.

They are noisy bikes! Like you said, best to have someone with one have a look/listen. You could put a post in the relevant region section. You might find someone local more easily! Best of luck and buy some ear plugs!!!
 
Knocking could maybe be crankshaft end play but more likely to be gearbox, does it knock with the clutch lever pulled or released?
My gearbox has been knocking like a bad un now for about 10k miles so it's maybe time to get something done about it:rolleyes:
 
Cheers Boots! I'm already wearing earplugs - haven't been without them in about 10 years!

Mine does need the revised LH cam chain tensioner - there's the momentary rattle on startup from cold, but it ticks over sweetly and the knock only starts once it's run for a few minutes. I'm sure I can hear it as a low - frequency sound through my earplugs while I'm riding too.

The knock remains with the clutch in, and it has a sweeter gearbox than almost any bike I've ridden!



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We seem to be fairly local to each other if you want to get in contact and compare your noises with my 1150 noises post a secure way to get in contact.

Mike
 
We seem to be fairly local to each other if you want to get in contact and compare your noises with my 1150 noises post a secure way to get in contact.

Mike

Oooh an idea is forming.....for a noisy get together where we can all compare our rattles, knocks and bangs. Thankfully I don't have a bangs, but I have some interesting rattles and knocks if you want to widen your aural vocabulary. :D
 
Mike,
Mine has a knock on cold start that comes in after about 30 secs and then subsides as the bike warms and seems to go as the revs rise but can be heard at tick over faintly when warm, I don't do much mileage now but it's never got any worse and others have said theirs does similar.

These bikes are very noisy compared to Jap stuff, the GS more so as there is no fairing to conceal.
 
That's the impression I'm getting Jiffy! I've had a couple of offers to compare rattles and such (I'll be in touch Mike!), but i'm sure it's just unfamiliarity coupled with a healthy dose of paranoia (the GS is awesome, so surely there must be something wrong.....).

Your idea sounds like a plan King Rat! I might have to venture into the regional forum..... :)


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That's the impression I'm getting Jiffy! I've had a couple of offers to compare rattles and such (I'll be in touch Mike!), but i'm sure it's just unfamiliarity coupled with a healthy dose of paranoia (the GS is awesome, so surely there must be something wrong.....).

Your idea sounds like a plan King Rat! I might have to venture into the regional forum..... :)


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I bought an 1150 earlier this year and worried about all sorts of noises. I got the uprated cam tensioner and it sounds exactly the same as the old one !!
I live in West Lancs not far from Blackpool and you'd be welcome to have a listen anytime
For what it's worth I have a WC 1200 (2014) with a brand new engine that sounds much worse ... That's progress for you :rolleyes:
 
Sounds like a Lancashire 'compare the 1150 engine noise' meet!!!!:augie
 
The right throttle body makes the loudest sound on my oilhead when idling. Once on the move, wind noise takes over.
I'll sort it out one day with either the quick fix from Motorworks (Ticker Killer) or the full Monty version from someone selling them in europe.
 
I have a Dancata right-hand side repair kit. Let me know if you're interested - it won't be expensive.
I bought both lhs and rhs kits, but only fitted the left one.

The right throttle body makes the loudest sound on my oilhead when idling. Once on the move, wind noise takes over.
I'll sort it out one day with either the quick fix from Motorworks (Ticker Killer) or the full Monty version from someone selling them in europe.
 
Mine began making its mechanical duh, duh, duh noises during a very hot day in Germany last year. 39 point something degrees. It still does it when its hot and the clutch lever is pulled in. If this is crankshaft end-play, what would it take to fix this? Anyone know?

Knocking could maybe be crankshaft end play but more likely to be gearbox, does it knock with the clutch lever pulled or released?
My gearbox has been knocking like a bad un now for about 10k miles so it's maybe time to get something done about it:rolleyes:
 
If it's the crankshaft end-play, you need to change the crankshaft bearings.
Because of the bike design most of the bike need to come apart to get the engine out. When it's out you have to split the whole engine. So it's a big operation.

I had the same sound on my 1100 and it was gone after i replaced the crankshaft bearings.
 
If it's the crankshaft end-play, you need to change the crankshaft bearings.
Because of the bike design most of the bike need to come apart to get the engine out. When it's out you have to split the whole engine. So it's a big operation.

I had the same sound on my 1100 and it was gone after i replaced the crankshaft bearings.

My 1150GSA has knocking sounds at startup, more prominant when bike is off side stand and upright. When clutch lever pulled in, the noise is gone. Is this the syndrome that calls for a crankshaft bearing change?
 
Tappets, camchain tensioner, clutch release bearing, Gearbox, tyres, there's a million noises if you want which are often normal. It'll always sound better than a Ducati engine at idle :D
 
Other way around. Something to do with the clutch action pushing the crank.

My 1150GSA has knocking sounds at startup, more prominant when bike is off side stand and upright. When clutch lever pulled in, the noise is gone. Is this the syndrome that calls for a crankshaft bearing change?
 
Thank you for your reply. It hasn't cheered me up all that much, but still!

If it's the crankshaft end-play, you need to change the crankshaft bearings.
Because of the bike design most of the bike need to come apart to get the engine out. When it's out you have to split the whole engine. So it's a big operation.

I had the same sound on my 1100 and it was gone after i replaced the crankshaft bearings.
 


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