It's a rattler!

[JonF]

My 850GS has started to make a clattering, light metallic rattle at idle when warm. It's not always there, but does always go away when the clutch is pulled in. Bike is otherwise fine, and runs smoothly. Do any of you wise people out there have any idea what might be causing such a rattle? SHould I just ignore it as the bike is running fine?

 

[mike wright]

Cam chain tensioner?...When is the last time to valves etc had been adjusted?

 

[davegs]

Rattler

E-Bay at once,

 

[Ogmios]

rattled cage....

i've had a few Bikes do that.
my R100gs has done it since ....er... about 25k miles ago when i bought it. (yes - i know it's a different Bike entirely but...)

i think the key words in your post are

just ignore it as the bike is running fine

when it fails to do the above - then worry - not before.

ebay indeed
~~
Og - i hate wind up artists and xmas

 

[Trullion]

I'll give you £10 for it as spare parts for mine........

Mine has never been the quiet rustling sort of Beemer that I thought I would be buying. (Nor has my 1100). It makes all sorts of rattling and whining noises that vary according to how hot the engine and transmission are. I decided a long time ago to ignore it - if the noise gets LOUD, or there is definite vibration that wasn't there before, then look for the reason(s). At the end of the day it's only an air cooled twin (albeit with a bit of oil cooling chucked in) - bound to be noisier than a liquid-cooled engine. The gear cases are also quite thin, so you can get assorted noises from them too.

I really wouldn't worry about it.

 

[JonF]

Thanks gentlemen. That's me decided then. Ignore it until it stops running fine.