R1250GS Rattling noise

Only under load, so it definitely runs lean at those revs
It is not about lean mixture. I have programmed it to be normal and in rich side without any change at the annoying noise. So it is something mechanical. I am still under investigation. I believe that I will solve it 1-2 months if is not something in gearbox gears or main engine parts.
 
It is not about lean mixture. I have programmed it to be normal and in rich side without any change at the annoying noise. So it is something mechanical. I am still under investigation. I believe that I will solve it 1-2 months if is not something in gearbox gears or main engine parts.
The obvious candidates for rattle are the standard cam chain tensioners. You can swap the standard ones out for a slightly larger step which positions the stepped section closer to the chain.

Lean running will cause pinking which is what the earlier poster was talking about, especially under load from low revs but yours sounds more like camchain rattle especially given your remapping description.
 
The obvious candidates for rattle are the standard cam chain tensioners. You can swap the standard ones out for a slightly larger step which positions the stepped section closer to the chain.

Lean running will cause pinking which is what the earlier poster was talking about, especially under load from low revs but yours sounds more like camchain rattle especially given your remapping description.
I have already checked it. I made spacers at lathe for both tensioners starting from 1mm until 7mm. But not any difference. Noise remains exactly the same.
 
I've slowly come to the conclusion that most rattling noises originate from the clutch rather than the cylinders. On both the 1200 and 1250
 
I've slowly come to the conclusion that most rattling noises originate from the clutch rather than the cylinders. On both the 1200 and 1250
I am already collecting all the tools and parts that are necessary to be replaced and soon I will have news.
 
I am already collecting all the tools and parts that are necessary to be replaced and soon I will have news.
Sounds like you've been quite thorough. I'm used to boxers rattling. They're noisy engines at the best of times and usually, it's nothing to worry about. The old air heads were by and large, much quieter. My old R100RT went on for years and was much quieter and my RS or GSA 1200 bikes.
 
Well , 3000 miles in , rattle and have been told new cams and possible rocker gear as well , maybe both sides and also further checks lower down ( barrels off etc) had the bike 14 weeks and only ridden it 14 times . Great . Worst part is back in 2015 had the same issue which ended up with a sheared cam sprocket and a close crash . Little worried now as not sure where to go next . Support at this time is , let’s say , limited …..
 
Well , 3000 miles in , rattle and have been told new cams and possible rocker gear as well , maybe both sides and also further checks lower down ( barrels off etc) had the bike 14 weeks and only ridden it 14 times . Great . Worst part is back in 2015 had the same issue which ended up with a sheared cam sprocket and a close crash . Little worried now as not sure where to go next . Support at this time is , let’s say , limited …..
They are not camshafts or gears. Already checked mine several times, and dealer replaced gears and needle bearings under warranty. Rattle remains exactly the same. The way to reproduce the sound and find the source is one. You need to put the bike to Dyno and accelerate it under load and try to find the source. It is my next step before check clutch and cam alignment.
 
He has then removed the crash bars along with the rocker cover to inspect the cam shafts in which he has found slight damage to the coating of the high lobes on the inlet cams, in which he has photographed these to submit to technical. Also checked the valve clearances of the L/H head and found they are all okay.

We would need to inspect the bike further to ensure there is not any more damage sustained deeper into the cylinder head then replace as requires.

To add the 2015 bike had issues along with other bikes as the cams had coating / treatment issues due to supply chain .
 
I can hear the rattle on a rev up and also under load at around 5000 rpm , just as the shift cam works hence the quote .
 
He has then removed the crash bars along with the rocker cover to inspect the cam shafts in which he has found slight damage to the coating of the high lobes on the inlet cams, in which he has photographed these to submit to technical. Also checked the valve clearances of the L/H head and found they are all okay.

We would need to inspect the bike further to ensure there is not any more damage sustained deeper into the cylinder head then replace as requires.

To add the 2015 bike had issues along with other bikes as the cams had coating / treatment issues due to supply chain .
It is not damage at the coating. It is just sign when a metal touches another metal. All the engines are like this. Don't worry. At 1250s, the annoying noise is not from camshafts like LCs. If camshafts were worn you would have noise at all rev range and not only under load.
 
Thanks for the reply but my last one did not have this noise , so it’s a bit of a worry . We did the same test at similar rev with my mates bike and again no noise . Let’s see what they say 👍
 
Thanks for the reply but my last one did not have this noise , so it’s a bit of a worry . We did the same test at similar rev with my mates bike and again no noise . Let’s see what they say 👍
All the other bikes that you tested were 1250s?
 
Well , 3000 miles in , rattle and have been told new cams and possible rocker gear as well , maybe both sides and also further checks lower down ( barrels off etc) had the bike 14 weeks and only ridden it 14 times . Great . Worst part is back in 2015 had the same issue which ended up with a sheared cam sprocket and a close crash . Little worried now as not sure where to go next . Support at this time is , let’s say , limited …..
I had the same on my 2021GSA. The rattle on the left side got progressively worse when on a Euro tour. It sounded like typical top end cam rattle. Took it in for its 6000 mile 12m service and they found left and right cyl cam cams were worn. All camshafts and followers replaced there and then, with no hesitation. 6000 miles and 12m on, and all is good.
Williams in Manchester were excellent about it.
 
I had the same on my 2021GSA. The rattle on the left side got progressively worse when on a Euro tour. It sounded like typical top end cam rattle. Took it in for its 6000 mile 12m service and they found left and right cyl cam cams were worn. All camshafts and followers replaced there and then, with no hesitation. 6000 miles and 12m on, and all is good.
Williams in Manchester were excellent about it.
Do you have any photo with camshafts? How much worn were?
 
I had the same on my 2021GSA. The rattle on the left side got progressively worse when on a Euro tour. It sounded like typical top end cam rattle. Took it in for its 6000 mile 12m service and they found left and right cyl cam cams were worn. All camshafts and followers replaced there and then, with no hesitation. 6000 miles and 12m on, and all is good.
Williams in Manchester were excellent about it.
Very interesting... Could you please ask your dealer if there is any official description because my dealer doesn't accept the problem? And I have 1 month more warranty.
 
Last edited:
Very interesting... Could you please ask your dealer if there is any official description because my dealer doesn't accept the problem? And I have 1 month more warranty.
This was Sept 22, so the tech guy will have probably well forgotten my bike by now.

The warranty report states coating on cams has worn away.
Components replaced
RH inlet cam x 1, RH exhaust cam x 1, LH inlet cam x 1, LH exhaust cam x 1, rocker arms x 8 and friction plate x 4
 


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