Rattle/noise from shaft/rear axle?

[Gizmo*]

Out yesterday and noticed that as i pulled up to lights i could hear a grating/grinding rattle when i blipped throttle, a bit like an exhaust shield moving so got home and checked this morning, exhaust seems ok and noise seems to be coming from rear wheel/shaft area, only happens as i blip throttle. Also noticed that even in neutral the rear wheel turns and it takes a bit of effort to stop it. Don't know if 2 things are related or if it is a rattle from somewhere else which just sounds like its coming from rear wheel, bike is just over a year old coming up to 7000 miles done, anyone had this before or know what it is?

 

[karnevil]

Out yesterday and noticed that as i pulled up to lights i could hear a grating/grinding rattle when i blipped throttle, a bit like an exhaust shield moving so got home and checked this morning, exhaust seems ok and noise seems to be coming from rear wheel/shaft area, only happens as i blip throttle. Also noticed that even in neutral the rear wheel turns and it takes a bit of effort to stop it. Don't know if 2 things are related or if it is a rattle from somewhere else which just sounds like its coming from rear wheel, bike is just over a year old coming up to 7000 miles done, anyone had this before or know what it is?

When did you last check/replace your rear pads?

 

[John Armstrong]

Engine guards broken and vibrating, if fitted?

Hugger rattling, if fitted?

Is the rear wheel turning when the engine is warm or only when cold?

 

[Gizmo*]

pads are ok but I have been riding in crap a lot, might be worth pulling apart and cleaning rear brake.

No hugger or engine guard but i fitted a sump guard about 800 miles ago, will check bolts engine was cold, ran it for about 5 minutes on centre stand and wheel still spun but will check after a proper ride

thanks for the ideas

 

[Zanussi]

The rear wheel moving while in neutral while the bike is on the center stand is normal, both my GS have done that.

 

[John Armstrong]

The rear wheel moving while in neutral while the bike is on the center stand is normal, both my GS have done that.

Especially when cold, which is why some manuals recommend pulling in the clutch lever when it's cold to reduce the load on the starter.

 

[Magwych]

... i fitted a sump guard about 800 miles ago, will check bolts ...

That is where I would look. Check the rubber mountings, in case they have seperated, it may also be touching your bars, exhaust, frame etc ?

 

[Pukmeister]

If the rattle only occurs when in neutral, it will most likely be the gears in the gearbox shuttling around on their shafts within their endfloat tolerances. Even in neutral, with the clutch out the gears will spin freely within the gearbox.

Try blipping the throttle with the clutch in and see if the sound changes. When de-clutched the gears will be at a standstill.

Mine sounds like a bag of nails in neutral, but much quieter with the clutch pulled in and the gears stopped. Not a worry as it never misses a gear and shifts beautifully for a GS (no noises and a tight/baulking gearbox would be much worse.)

The rear wheel spinning in neutral when on the centrestand is due to oil drag within the gearbox and nothing to worry about.