Clutch / Gearbox knocking noise

[MattW]

The way to tell is to put a spanner on the tensioner, my original tensioner had a 17mm head, the upgraded one has a 15mm head

The old tensioner allows the chain to slap about for a couple of seconds at startup.

Stewart

Yup - that's why I asked about the tensioner - mine used to sound like a right bag of spanners at startup and occasionally when hot at traffic lights. It was when fitting the new tensioner that I found out that my set of low offset combinations spanners didn't have a 15mm (since bought) - I had to 'customise' a standard ring spanner

 

[sproggy]

I've had two 1150s, the first bought brand new and the second bought with only 600 miles on. They both made the same noise as described above when very hot. The first time it happened (in Spain with only 1000 miles on the clock) I was absolutely convinced it had knackered a big-end bearing. The noise was horrendous, even through ear plugs. A mate riding with me told me 'they all do that sometimes' and so I carried on. I was fully expecting it to seize or explode but the noise just went away. My second one, which I still have, has now done 40,000 miles and still sometimes makes this noise when hot. It sounds awful but I now just ignore it. Dunno what it is though

The first time I rode my 1150 (2000 model, presumably with original chain tensioner) to Italy in the summer it did this at traffic lights or in slow moving traffic when the weather was really hot. I reckoned it was top end rattle and was convinced that the engine was about to 'let go' and die - as you know it really is that loud Later that summer I returned to Italy in similar (possibly slightly higher) temperatures having changed two things. First was using 20W50 oil instead of 10W40 (the oil chart in the manual suggests, from memory, that 10W40 isn't suitable for ambient temperatures over 30C). Second was that I'd done a service and adjusted the rocker end float and valve clearances to be spot on. I had no problems with rattle even after an hour queuing to get in to Mugello with temperatures in the high 30s.

Experience since then with an R1100S suggests that the difference was because of the heavier oil more than the clearances being re-set - when it's really hot, 10W40 thins down too much and you need a heavier grade to keep things quiet. Whether it's the cam chain tensioner that doesn't like the oil too thin and allows the chain to rattle aroung I'm not sure, but heavier oil will make these engines run smoother and quieter when it's over 30 degrees ambient.

Since then I've always used 10W40 in the winter and 20W50 in the summer. And no, I'm not trying to turn this into another oil thread......

 

[Raggitash]

Update

Hi All
Just to let you know. I've still got the knocking noise, it has not got worse but it is noisiest when in hot weather. Since my original post I have been to the Alps and back and just returned from a trip around the Adriatic via Italy Croatia etc etc etc.
I purchased a spare gearbox with a slave on it and it is still on my shelf.
Spud just reached the grand old age of 51,000 miles thats using 20/50.
If it gets worse I'll do something about it but I think I've joined the gudgies with the "Leave it alone, wear earplugs" advice. Goes against the grain a bit that does.

Cheers
Raggi

 

[Wobs]

noisy clutches and clutch stuff.

Hi y'all,
And mines just started doing exactly the same thing. Pull clutch in (disengaged) when engine hot and donk donk donk. Let clutch out out in neutral and donk donk goes away.
Having just returned from a 2000 mile trip I've also noticed that clutch now seems to be starting to disengage as soon as I put just a little bit of pressure on the lever. Does this mean the clutch is starting to go? No sign of slipping yet but along with this donking thing I wondered whether it's time to start thinking about taking the box out and having a look. Something I've never done myself before.
Bikes a 2000 1150GS which I've had since new and done about 50,000 although had a new gearbox and clutch when the box jammed in 3rd at about 20,000.
Any help, advice, sympathy would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Pat Thompson]

2001 bmw knocking when hot

To all Gs owners i would say the following . I have owned my 2001 Gs 1150 for two and a half years now and i have clocked up 12,000 miles and yes that is with the unexplained loud knocking . So all you have to do is ride on and ignore it . Tell yourself it is a natural sound and that is all it is a natural sound from heat expansion so just ride on and enjoy cheers to all .

 

[slaphead GSER]

I bought mine new in 2003 and this "noise" started at aprox 25,000 miles. Now has 50,000 but does seem to be getting worse but has never let me down (yet), if you didn't know better you would swear it was a big end.
Hotter the bike gets louder the noise but when cold as quiet as a mouse.
Maybe will try better ear-plugs and keep the breakdown cover going just in case !

 

[Kokopelli]

Mine has started to sound like a box of nails first thing in the morning. I have the new tensioner. It's fine when it's warm. I've also had the awful noise a few times, with a hot engine. I've just ignored it, well, I worried about it, but did nothing to try and fix it. My bike has just on 150000km on it. I've owned it from new since early 2003. The only hassle I've had was that I needed a new starter and I've installed a secondhand alternator. Then it's just pivot bearings, a couple of oil seals and two blown headlight bulbs.

The usual one careful owner.

 

[aslan]

gearbox bearings on R1150GS

Koko - thanks for posting - someone here in NZ has a 2001 R1150GS for sale on TradeMe at the moment and mentions that they had the gearbox bearings replaced at 81,000KM - given mine has done 84,000KM including the ride in Central Otago with you where inverted yours; it set to me to worrying that perhaps I may face gearbox issues soon - your post is reassuring - cheers S

 

[Ugly Cow]

I bought mine new in 2003 and this "noise" started at aprox 25,000 miles. Now has 50,000 but does seem to be getting worse but has never let me down (yet), if you didn't know better you would swear it was a big end.
Hotter the bike gets louder the noise but when cold as quiet as a mouse.
Maybe will try better ear-plugs and keep the breakdown cover going just in case !

Slaphead
Have you still not checked crankshaft end float!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[slaphead GSER]

Noise , Big end'ish !

Hello Ugly Cow, no still haven't checked crankshaft end float. A well know GS Guru was ment to come over to The Emerald Isle to explain this ominus knock but he let me down and I just had to give it a good wash and polish instead

 

[Ugly Cow]

Jeez it really needs cleaning, thats probably all it needed, sorts most problems out for sure

 

[DutchBryn]

I bought mine new in 2003 and this "noise" started at aprox 25,000 miles. Now has 50,000 but does seem to be getting worse but has never let me down (yet), if you didn't know better you would swear it was a big end.
Hotter the bike gets louder the noise but when cold as quiet as a mouse.
Maybe will try better ear-plugs and keep the breakdown cover going just in case !

Slaphead
Have you still not checked crankshaft end float!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can someone please give an outline of how this is checked? Haynes is a useful (not) as ever here. I don't mean rocker end float, BTW.