Nasty Noise and Vibration

[King Rat]

Bike is a 2003 1150 Adventure - yep, a Charlie clone. Not got the matching suit though.

Bike has done 22,500 miles - 4,500 since mid November when I bought it. Fully serviced and historied - now, riding home tonight there is a noise from the rear wheel/drive - it is still there if coasting in neutral - knocked it out of gear and let her go downhill to check that one.

If it wasn't a BMeer I would say the chain was too tight it is a rythmical churn,churn,churn,churn.

On centre stand no bearing play at rear wheel - all spokes fine and singing the same note. Tyre a tourance with more 000s in it yet. Suspension working dandy, brakes brilliant on the front - now here is one "clue" if I try to feather the rear brake (yes still old fashioned me uses back brake in a corner that I have over cooked etc or just to nudge her down a bit) - bugger all back brake - worse than the OLD RS100.

My suspicion lies with the universal joint - which of course is hidden by a balloon, (gaiter - I thought that was a homosexual who served in a restaurant ) and it was dark by the time I got home, so only outside lighting to look by. The bike has BMW warrenty until July - what you all reckon? Am I on the right track, or is there something else I have overlooked?

 

[Colban]

The important words are "BMW warranty".
It sounds like the big bearing in the final drive is checking out,but you need to BMW to check it properly to not invalidate that warranty.
Its not unknown for gearbox bearings to give a similar symptom.

 

[Steptoe]

Rear disc is warped

 

[King Rat]

Rear disc warped? How come Steptoe, doesn't it like being used or something?
Not doubting you - I'll spin it up tomorrow and have a decko - but just curious as to why a disc should warp so soon. Will that be a warrenty covered item?

Sorry, where are my manners? I should have said "Thank You". So I will now. Thank You.

 

[Kritou]

I have identical symptoms on an R1200RT but have only heard it in turns and at low speed - guess engine noise may be masking it at other times

 

[Steptoe]

" if I try to feather the rear brake (yes still old fashioned me uses back brake in a corner that I have over cooked etc or just to nudge her down a bit) - bugger all back brake -.

I maybe completly wrong. I can only go by your information. But the above quote is a clue.

The pads are being pushed back ( the noise you mention could be the disc rubbing against the pads at the high point on the rear disc), so when you apply the rear brake, they have to move back out more than the master cylinder can push fluid, if you get my drift.

 

[Backmarker]

Rear disc is warped

Lucky you can get a new one for a bargain price from some bloke on this very board .....

 

[King Rat]

Right, first thing this morning I went and lifted the old girls skirt - a little oil dripping from the crown wheel drain. About two thimble fulls, but defo not an eggcupful - and not running down the shaft from higher up either, comig out of the drain plug. SO, I checked the tightness of said plug (by way, this is the first leaking oil I have seen and there are no patches on the drive where she sits from previous leaks). Tight, but the odd drip nonetheless. SO :-

Phoned BMW warrenty folks and they sent out a techy today - I had work to do ooop north, so left No 1 son in charge of the keys and poiting said techy in right direction. I spoke with him on the phone before he came and the girl on the first phone call took down all my symptons and other info I could give. Techy phones from his mobile and I give him the verbal low down too and arange for him to have a decko - girl said that if he couldn't do it they would recover the bike to a dealer (nearest is Blue Bell, Crewe). I agreed, no problem - no thanks I don't need a replcement car. And off I go to work.

After lunch I phoned home to see how thigs were getting on - techy been, gone and bike still here. George (No 1 Son) says he started the bike and it kept cutting out on the stand - scratched his head and said it shouldn't do that. He then checked the ENGINE OIL - and proceeded to top up the engine oil, started it again - whereupon it stalled again and so he left.

I phoned the warrenty lot again with this news in my head to see what they had on the report card - gess what, low ENGINE OIL. I said but there is nothing wrong with the engine - it is the rear wheel system that has the problem and there is an oil leak to show him where to look first. It would appear that this techy hadn't test ridden the bike, because he doesn't have a bike license He topped up the engine oil and filled in a report card to say that that was what was wrong with the bike.

I said he was pulling a fast one because I told him myself when he phoned me exactly what was wrong and what needed looking at - not the engine or gearbox because they are both fine, but the rear wheel and drive line.

They are sending out ANOTHER techy tommorrow (today now) who can ride a bike and who will take a look at what is the problem - but why was it not recovered like the girl said it would be? I shall be writing a letter - while waiting for techy to arrive. I will also check the engine oil level to see how full he filled it - to the brim will be my guess

Will keep you all posted as to what the problem turns out to be - oh and Steptoe, I know you are stabbing in the dark and can only go on what is told - I might have made too much of the feathering thing. I only do it when needed, not on every corner - the 48 miles I did yesteday I think I used my brakes in total baout 5 times. Anyway, took a look, but spinning back wheel showed no run out at all. Pads knackered though (the ones it came with - still a bit of meat on them, but not much). Thanks for everyones input - none of it has been discarded and I have more knowledge than this time yesterday. AND I have learned where the smilies are

 

[King Rat]

Got the bike back after it was recovered to our locl Beemer dealer (Blue Bell in Crewe) as it is still under BMW warranty

The result was that, as suspected, the techy who came out filled the engine to the brim - like right to the top, not to the top of the sight glass, but to the top of the filler plug I guess he deserves some kind of prize for that one. Thankfully it was not started with this amount of oil in it.

Rear wheel problem was the main bearings given up the ghost. New bearings fitted - both ends apparently, which is why I had the weave. Also engine drained and refilled with new oil to correct level. Delivered back Tuesday last week (20th) late (8pm) - since then put 1302 miles on it without a fault. Smooth as galaxy chocolate again.

Beware the chaps the warrenty people send out though -