pinking

[Stahlgewittern]

Anybody come across a similar problem. At low speeds in all gears sounds like the engine is pinking, checked plugs they seem to be a bit darker than normal so it seems to be running slightly rich. Idont ge the noise at higher speeds.
Checked valve clearances, air filter and balanced throttle bodies,
Any ideas or do all GSs make that noise.

 

[Sot1200]

Anybody come across a similar problem. At low speeds in all gears sounds like the engine is pinking, checked plugs they seem to be a bit darker than normal so it seems to be running slightly rich. Idont ge the noise at higher speeds.
Checked valve clearances, air filter and balanced throttle bodies,
Any ideas or do all GSs make that noise.

Carbon build up in the chambers probably. Give it some speed on the highway at lower gears and accelerating and it will burn it off

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I've never ridden a 1200 that 'pinked'

Dark plugs and running rich would make it even less likely (are you sure it's running rich? Have you just looked at the plugs after a bimble or did you do a proper 'plug chop' at WOT?).

Are you sure it's doing not that thang that boxers do if you labour the engine at too low revs; the engine makes a rattly noise that could sound a little like very severe pinking - if that's what it is, they all do that sir

Andres

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Doesn't sound like "pinking" that generally only happens when the engine is under
heavy load. As said above, if plugs are dark your running slightly rich which makes it even less likely.
Does it pull ok through the gears?

 

[Pukmeister]

My guess is a faulty Lambda probe. If only one cylinder is sooty, try swapping the Lambda probes then see if the sooty condition moves.

 

[solidstate100]

Whats you fuel quality like - has it recently started doing this after a re-fuel or have you changed brands? etc.

 

[Stahlgewittern]

Thanks for your suggestions lads, It sounds like I could not be giving enough revs through the gears (lazy)
I will look at the lamda sensors as I recall I only noticed the noise after fitting crash bars I may have loosened a connector.
All plugs are slightley dark after a good run, which of course is the opposite to a pinking problem.
It pulls ok through the gears so it may be.... they all do that sir.
Cheers all.

 

[Keith Chapman]

If the noise only appeared after fitting crash bars, makes sure that the bars are tight and not rattling in something.