No clicking sound has me worried

[waterloo700]

Searched the forums - can't find any advice so here goes.

My bike (1100GS) doesn't make any clicking, pinging or tinkling sounds when its cooling down after a run. I'm concerned that I have a "duff un" as I seem to remember they all used to do this when I were a lad.

Are there any aftermarket goodies I can bolt on to make it sound like a proper air cooled bike should?

Any advice would be most welcome.

 

[Schtum]

The clicking occurs because different metals have different rates of expansion and contraction and there is therefore some relative movement between dissimilar surfaces when they cool.

This isn't an issue in the case of the 1100 since, with only the occasional exception, it's made from low-grade pig iron from stem to stern. Therefore, apart from the considerable mass which it has - enough to absorb the energy from a small thermo-nuclear event - it has few if any dissimilar surfaces to contract at different rates.


Besides which, do boat anchors click if there are no fish to hear them.....?

HTH

 

[BrianR]

I had exactly the same problem and sleepless nights about this serious issue.
There is a expensive BMW aftermarket device which basically is a IPOD with a speaker that has a recording of a perfect "cool down" and plays it back to you after you switch the ignition off. It was way out of my budget so I just tap the tank with a 8mm spanner for 30 minuets when I stop. This makes me feel much better but I do spend a lot of time in the garage.

Brianr

http://www.1a-2j.co.uk

 

[Schtum]

It was way out of my budget so I just tap the tank with a 8mm spanner for 30 minuets [sic] when I stop. This makes me feel much better but I do spend a lot of time in the garage.

Here's a wee aide-memoire to assist you with your tapping......

 

[Onwalkabout]

I had a similar problem with my 1150 where I felt that the ABS brake test sound was not positive enough and did not sound like enough spanners were falling down stairs. I was able to solve the problem by attaching a series of metal washers to the front spokes which gave it a suitable clatter as I rode off. It has the secondary positive effect of producing that 'where the hell is that coming from' strange vibration effect that had been previously missing. I understand Wunderlich may be introducing some as an aftermarket accessory in anodized machine turned steel.

 

[MattW]

You're all wrong.

The accepted method for inducing the correct cool-down tinking sounds is to ride the bike as normal so that it is fully warmed up and is showing 4 or 5 bars. Then as soon as you pull up outside your house / burger van etc, set the bike on its side stand, leave the engine running and set the engine on fast idle (using the 'choke' lever) for 20 minutes. Then switch the engine off as normal and enjoy the pleasant tinking / pinging sounds.

This is the real reason that BMW fitted the choke lever - the 1100 is so finely engineered and is made of such high quality materials that owners were complaining of a lack of cooling sound effects which they were used to hearing from inferior machines.

 

[essjay]

Yep, similiar issues as other except in my case it was the lack of ticking and clatter from the engine (while running) as others have noticed on their 1100GS's.

I got a piece of cardboard and a clothes peg and attached it to the right front fork, with the cardboard between the spokes as we did when we were kid on bicycles. Now makes suitable noise and I feel really cool when pedestrians look at me.

 

[Trullion]

I solved the problem by slinging away the after-market digital clock I velcroed (is that a word?) to the dash with an old Westclox alarm clock. I managed to wedge this in the space for the ABS modulator (my bike is non-ABS and has no RID). Now when I park up I always get a loud tick, though sometimes the police seem a bit interested for some reason.... As the vibration plays havoc with the clockwork I also get a random alarm going off while riding. This compensates for the lack of any other drama with the reliability of the bike. Does anyone know where I can buy a 28-day clockwork alarm? It gets a bit tedious removing the tank to wind up the clock every time I use it. Or maybe I could rig up a key extension - has anyone tried this?

 

[MattW]

I solved the problem by slinging away the after-market digital clock I velcroed (is that a word?) to the dash with an old Westclox alarm clock. I managed to wedge this in the space for the ABS modulator (my bike is non-ABS and has no RID). Now when I park up I always get a loud tick, though sometimes the police seem a bit interested for some reason.... As the vibration plays havoc with the clockwork I also get a random alarm going off while riding. This compensates for the lack of any other drama with the reliability of the bike. Does anyone know where I can buy a 28-day clockwork alarm? It gets a bit tedious removing the tank to wind up the clock every time I use it. Or maybe I could rig up a key extension - has anyone tried this?

Nice mod.

Another option would be to go for the upmarket 'Bentley' look and fit your alarm clock directly to your dash - best of both worlds - tell the time and get strange noises.

 

[Trullion]

Good idea; the only problems I can see are that it's likely to get nicked and that I'd have to cover it with a polythene bag, 'cos it ain't waterproof. Mind, if I put it in one of my alloy panniers I could drill a keyhole so that I could then wind it remotely. Might act as an echo chamber too, though I suppose I'd also worry about why the sound came from one side.......which come to think of it is why I've got the clock anyway.

Off for a ride now. It's hard being self-unemployed.

 

[Wrigsby1]

Just get the whole f'ing engine chromed! Piece of piss and it will make all the authentic noises even when cold (sustain of a Les Paul unplugged)

 

[BrianR]

Actually chaps, This might be a real issue. I did a full Google and Bing search on BMW cool down and running noises and there is a library of sounds for such things.

Take a quick look

Evidently all the background noise is an actual recording of a 1100GS running and cooling down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IID-jIfwUhc&feature=PlayList&p=B4EBC7F92C0B6AB5&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=37

which is good, but mine sounds just like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKhMP2r4XGk

I Love the internet

Brianr

http://www.1a-2j.co.uk

 

[Wrigsby1]

Hi BrianR that was close. I re read and saw "background noises". At 1st I thought you were getting the music as well and had the 75th SE