Alarming noise

[Mac One]

Hello
I've got a 2011 twin cam GSA and lately, when i start it up, there's a clatter from the engine, that sounds as if there's no oil in it. The noise only lasts for a second just as the bike fires up.

This only happens after after the bike has been running and is up to temperature.... then parked.... and then started up again within an hour or so.

When i start it from cold, it starts normally....no noise.... The bikes done around 18,000 miles and apart from that, seems to be running great.

Has anyone had the same, or know what might be causing it? Any comments welcome.

Cheers

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Is it from the right hand side of the engine?

Mine has done this from new and I'm now an nearky 150,000 miles.......

 

[Slime Bomb]

Same here, wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Bendy toy]

Cam chain tensioner.

Start to worry when it knocks like a big end is about to let go. Then you notice the OEM crash bar has shaken loose.

 

[Mac One]

Thanks for the replies.....I was doing some internet research and one of the suggestions to a similar question was it might be some kind of detonation/violent pinking caused by the motor kicking back (like they did when you had a kick start pedal) just as it started.
I was out on the bike earlier for a run and after it had been parked for 45 minutes started it with my hand off the throttle and held the starter button till the bike started instead of giving it a stab.... and a bit of throttle.... like i have been doing, and it was ok.
I only re-started it once so it might not be the answer.... but i'll see how it goes.

 

[Pukmeister]

You dont need to add any throttle when starting a GS, they tend to start better with the throttle left well alone.

 

[Mac One]

You dont need to add any throttle when starting a GS, they tend to start better with the throttle left well alone.

It was just a habit to hold the throttle slightly open and press the start button. I was out today again and restarted the bike three times within an hour of stopping as in my last comment and it's all good, (so far)

 

[Brads]

Funny enough, mines just did this the other day. Got a bloody fright likes, checked the oil and the window was empty, poured in a wee bit and the bloody window filled up so obviously an airlock or suchlike.
No idea what the noise is , kinda like a dry bearing type of thing, but it`s in next week for work at Central so will aske them there about it as well.

 

[Mac One]

I read, that when you put the bike on the side stand, after a run, more oil can pool in the left hand cam cover, than normally would. I suppose if you were already low on oil, it could have an effect.
I had plenty oil and parked the bike on the centre stand, it didn't make any difference.
I think maybe a duff battery or a slow starter motor could also contribute to a noisy start with the engine firing just before TDC and the starter motor toiling to turn the engine over.

I wonder if the engine could start backwards.

 

[fizzer]

if you think it has started backwards put it into gear ,full throttle and dump the clutch ,you will soon know if it has started backwards ,(because the bike will go backwards ha ha) i one had an old mz two stroke that could do that .honest tho it wont have started backwards that you can be sure off.

 

[Pukmeister]

Funny enough, mines just did this the other day. Got a bloody fright likes, checked the oil and the window was empty, poured in a wee bit and the bloody window filled up so obviously an airlock or suchlike.
No idea what the noise is , kinda like a dry bearing type of thing, but it`s in next week for work at Central so will aske them there about it as well.

You do realise the air/oil cooled 1200GS engine has two oil circuits ? (Lubrication and cooling.)

Oil can get trapped in the beak mounted oil cooler until the engine gets up to temp and the oil thermostat opens, at which point it floods back to the sump and the sightglass level rises. Thats why you need to run a GS until the oil cooler is hot to the touch (proving oil flow) then stop it and park on the centrestand for five minutes to let the sump fill. The level you then see in the sightglass will be correct.

 

[fizzer]

You do realise the air/oil cooled 1200GS engine has two oil circuits ? (Lubrication and cooling.)

Oil can get trapped in the beak mounted oil cooler until the engine gets up to temp and the oil thermostat opens, at which point it floods back to the sump and the sightglass level rises. Thats why you need to run a GS until the oil cooler is hot to the touch (proving oil flow) then stop it and park on the centrestand for five minutes to let the sump fill. The level you then see in the sightglass will be correct.

so could the engine run backwards,oh yes i am aware the oil has two purposes ,i understand it lubricates and cools

 

[Pukmeister]

so could the engine run backwards,oh yes i am aware the oil has two purposes ,i understand it lubricates and cools

Are you taking the piss?

How would the valve gear work if it ran backwards ??

How would the oil pumps (both rotors) work in reverse ???

It is designed to run in one direction only.

 

[fizzer]

absolutely off course ,and no i am not taking the piss.the op thread says its as if it were running backwards,the point i was making was it cant

 

[Bendy toy]

Four strokes can’t run backwards. Though some twins can be timed so they’ll suck through exhaust and blow through inlet.