2010 GSA drive shaft 'chatter'

[Freddie]

I can't find exactly the right thread, so please forgive if there is one, and this is serious repetition....

My 2010 GSA (13k miles) is developing a clatter similar to pinking, but doesn't seem to be engine related (stops when I pull the clutch in, and keeping constant revs), and only happens between 2500-3000 revs in any gear, and only under load. Irrelevant whether it's a big handful of throttle or just a delicate spoonful - still does it. It's like a vibration and a clatter all in one. Nothing is loose around the bike - if I 'coast' at the same speed - noise stops. If I let the clutch out and go through 2500-3000 revs again, back it comes. I've read all the scary 'the dealer says £2k and a big job' horrors, so hopefully it's not bearings/shaft/seizure etc. All ideas and help gratefully received! I could always ride it (carefully) over to Richmond/Kingston where a God of this Parish lives...

 

[oddshapedballs]

I'm far from being an expert in anything mechanical but I'd have thought that if the noise goes away when you pull the clutch in and/or coasting at speed then surely it's a clutch issue? If it was a drive shaft/final drive issue I'd have expected it to be there when you're moving regardless of speed.
You can check the final drive by popping the wheel and calliper off, dumping the oil out and splitting the rear arm to check the splines. The oil will tell you if the hub's eating itself and if the splines aren't worn then no issue there either.
It's got no miles on it at 13k, so you really shouldn't have issues with either clutch or final drive.

 

[rocky burns]

Put it on the centre stand and see if there is any play in the rear wheel, if the bearings have gone you will feel some..

The symptoms you say sounds more like drive shaft to me, The universal joints at the ends.. pull back the rubbers and see if there is any play in those also..

If it is final drive it can be rebuilt and if its drive shaft, there is also a company that will change those for you also

 

[kevmean]

Remember though that when you pull the clutch in the engine is no longer under any load so any Pinking type of problem would disappear instantly.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Have you got other keys on your bike key ?

DAMHIK.

 

[Freddie]

Have you got other keys on your bike key ?

DAMHIK.

Ha Ha - like it - and no, no other keys, no loose fillings, and no change rattling in pockets!

Thanks for the advice chaps - don't think it's clutch, had a look at the splines and all seems OK. I'll have to keep on listening and hoping it gets no worse - in which case 'it's just another joy of owning a GS'.....

 

[dsb79]

Get it down to Steptoe, sure he will work it out for you.

 

[Pukmeister]

I also suspect it could be your drive shaft universal joints. If they are worn, Mikeyboy can repair them. A new driveshaft is £300+ from BMW.

 

[Freddie]

Get it down to Steptoe, sure he will work it out for you.

How would I contact said Steptoe? is he akin to punxatawny phil? do I need a séance? or is it more mundane like....a phone/email combo?

 

[Bendy toy]

My 08 rattles in neutral but stops rattling when clutch pulled in. The noise is unchanged when I coast along in neutral at tickover so Im assuming its not related to the gearbox. I split the bike last summer. The clutch was in good condition and gearbox showed no signs of excessive backlash so I really don't know what is causing the noise. It could be said that I should have changed the friction plate but I was already way over-spent on other stuff.

Maybe someone knows the cause of this neutral tickover noise.

 

[TLSgazza]

I also suspect it could be your drive shaft universal joints. If they are worn, Mikeyboy can repair them. A new driveshaft is £300+ from BMW.

I would say the same, mine was terrible 18 months ago whilst on a European tour, noisy, felt rough as fook, U/J on drive shaft was indeed totally worn out when I got home, luckily I had extended warranty still at the time.

 

[Bendy toy]

My drive shaft back end joint was knotchy but not actually loose. Mikeboy's rebuild improved the footrest rumble but made zero difference to the engine, clutch gearbox (or whatever cause it is) rattle.

 

[Spout]

The OP suggests it's an engine not drivetrain problem. (Revs, not speed)

Perhaps a jolly good service (inc new plugs and balance) will go a long way to cure it.

 

[chrisjk]

Don't discount the possibility of the noise being caused by something unrelated vibrating. I had a worrying noise that seemed to be engine related on my 2012 GSA and in the end it proved to be a loose spotlight! It took me an age to find it as the noise varied according to load/speed etc and I was convinced it was something expensive and mechanical.

 

[davegs]

How would I contact said Steptoe? is he akin to punxatawny phil? do I need a séance? or is it more mundane like....a phone/email combo?

Pay your subs and you can PM him.

 

[Freddie]

Pay your subs and you can PM him.

Best idea yet. Duly done.

 

[Bendy toy]

Mine developed a clanking clatter. Turned out to be the dump bash plate falling off. But the tickover rattle hast changed since bike was stripped for frame powder coating. The engine was about the only untouched item so I'm thinking cam chain or balancer shaft.