why is it ticking (quite loud too!!!)

mark2jag

mark2jag

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27000 mile old F650 GS. on tickover its making a ticking noise and this is from the engine area somewhere. I know bugger all about bugger all so Im asking is it possibly injectors, or valve clearances or maybe something else. I've just returned a 3000 mile old 650 and that doesnt tick at all, but it was 11 plate, hmmm.

the ticking is really piddling me off, so wonder if its possible to make it go away other than not starting the engine.

Oh and the bike is an 08 plate, and has just (literally JUST) been serviced by Bahnstormer Alton.

Also discovered on picking the bike up that:
(a) It's the lowered version.
(b) it doesnt have a mainstand. This in itself is gonna make chain adjustment and various other tasks somewhat interesting.
(C) because it is lowered I am told it is nt possible to fit a main stand??? Anyone care to comment on that as correct/incorrect.

(D) the ride is shockingly bad. any bumps seem to be transmitted straight through the frame to my backside. I have noticed that when i sit on the bike a large proportion of the shock travel is used up or just by taking it off its sidestand. Any solutions, at all??????
I may not be giving a glowing impression of this bike but none of the above stops me riding it, and when i am on it i do enjoy it, but would be better if i could sort out A B C and D???

look forward to a reply..... maybe?????
 
A ticking noise is very hard to diagnose without hearing it. If it was mine I'd take it back where it was serviced and ask why the loan bike doesn't make the same noise? It could be valves, it could be throttle bodies, it could be the camchain (all of which can be adjusted), or it could be entirely normal.

I'm not sure about the stand. It sounds entirely possible, but not very BMW.

If you're using up a lot of travel just by sitting on it then you need to wind up the pre-load. This can be easily done by hand, although there is a tool for this under the seat.

I'm surprised that you didn't know it was lowered, this would have been a factory option, and I'd expect the dealer to flag it up when selling.
 
Mine's getting a bit noisy too - 7000 miles, 59 plate.

Heard the same about the centre stand not being compatible with lowered version.

Not sure what involved in lowering but there's a few folks on here gone for Ohlins et al so there may be a few standard shocks available for a reduced price...

If you want we'll sort a day and see who's sounds worse!

Just out of curiosity (and not because i know much about bikes!) - does the noise stop when you pull the clutch in?

S

PS - Hopefully one less thing to worry about - chain adjustment checked on sidestand according to book.
 
You could fit a SW Motech stand and cut it down to fit,this is what our American cousins seem to do.I dont live far from you if you want another engine to listen too.I have heard that the ticking noise could be the fuel injection???If you put a screw driver to your ear can you track the noise to one place?I hope you know what i`m talking about :D
 
mark2jag one or two people have gone through the rigmarole of changing standard to lowered f650's. So maybe do a thread requesting 'friends' price for their old f650 standard suspension bits. I have a F800 rear spring if it helps though you would have to pick it up. It's fairly heavy.

Hey the lowered kit costs a small fortune so when you have swapped them over, sale them! :D
 
Blimey. decisions decisions. Ok, Lets try and be logical about it. Firstly those who offered help a massive thank you, and I will be taking up offers to listen to more than one engine and maybe do a side by side comparison.
The sidestand issue I can live with. The dealer did mention it was a lowered bike but NOT till AFTER it was paid for if my memory serves me correctly.

Buying normal F800 springs is pretty much out of the question as I've pretty much gone massively overdrawn to get this bike as its absolutely immaculate and has EVERYTHING on it.

I am going back to where I got it from (In Alton) and asking them to see what the noise is, but yes it does seem to be quieter with clutch in.

Their loan bike had 3600 miles on it and didnt tick to the degree this does.
That was 11 plate as I may have mentioned before.

I'm really hoping that they can fix it. We shall see.

As it stands I've not ridden it a great deal yet as little things like shift work seem to be getting in the way of my leisure time at the moment.

I'm still at the "wow this is bloody fantastic, can see me keeping this forever", stage, but we shall see!!!. Having said that I have had an F650 funduro, and a ZX7R and a Yamaha TDM AND a Triumph Tiger 955I all within the space of a few months..


Anywayssss, fior my next trick I shall be attempting to post some photos of said item, and here they are.....






f650-1 (Small).jpg

f650-2 (Small).jpg

f650-3 (Small).jpg

f650-4 (Small).jpg



As you can see it's pretty clean (at the moment), and has a scottoiler, taller screen, mudguard extender, alarm and some remarkably unmarked panniers......

Will keep everyone posted and a big thanks to anyone who took the time out to help me get this sorted out.

Anyone fancy meeting at Loomies tomorrow for a bit of a rideout, wont be too late a finish though as I'm on night shit. No thats not a spelling mistake. it really is shite!!!!!(Work, not the bike!!)
 
Great looking bike best of luck with the ticking. Only suggestion i would make is a headlight protector. Lots out their or make your own from makrolon. Those headlights attract stones like a moth to a light

Steve
 
am i just unlucky or what!!!

mark2jag said:
Blimey. decisions decisions. Ok, Lets try and be logical about it. Firstly those who offered help a massive thank you, and I will be taking up offers to listen to more than one engine and maybe do a side by side comparison.
The sidestand issue I can live with. The dealer did mention it was a lowered bike but NOT till AFTER it was paid for if my memory serves me correctly.

Buying normal F800 springs is pretty much out of the question as I've pretty much gone massively overdrawn to get this bike as its absolutely immaculate and has EVERYTHING on it.

I am going back to where I got it from (In Alton) and asking them to see what the noise is, but yes it does seem to be quieter with clutch in.

Their loan bike had 3600 miles on it and didnt tick to the degree this does.
That was 11 plate as I may have mentioned before.

I'm really hoping that they can fix it. We shall see.

As it stands I've not ridden it a great deal yet as little things like shift work seem to be getting in the way of my leisure time at the moment.

I'm still at the "wow this is bloody fantastic, can see me keeping this forever", stage, but we shall see!!!. Having said that I have had an F650 funduro, and a ZX7R and a Yamaha TDM AND a Triumph Tiger 955I all within the space of a few months..


Anywayssss, fior my next trick I shall be attempting to post some photos of said item, and here they are.....






View attachment 193196

View attachment 193197

View attachment 193198

View attachment 193199



As you can see it's pretty clean (at the moment), and has a scottoiler, taller screen, mudguard extender, alarm and some remarkably unmarked panniers......

Will keep everyone posted and a big thanks to anyone who took the time out to help me get this sorted out.

Anyone fancy meeting at Loomies tomorrow for a bit of a rideout, wont be too late a finish though as I'm on night shit. No thats not a spelling mistake. it really is shite!!!!!(Work, not the bike!!)
Click to expand...

somebody up there doesnt like me!!!!! Took my bike to Alton today to sort out all the issues i mentioned in this post, got it booked in for tomorrow(Friday) and on the way home, while sat at a set of traffic lights, the engine cut out. I didnt think much of it, hit the starter and carried on. About a mile later it cut out at about 40-50 while going up a hill. I stuck the flashers on, pulled over, switched it off and thren back on again and all seemed well. To cut a boring story short, it's now cut out on me once while sat at lights and another 4 times while in gear and moving.

Anyone got any ideas what may be causing it. I did do a search on here for cutting out but didnt really get much back in the way of a result...

still enjoyed my ride out, even in the rain....
 
v8legend said:
Did it cut out like it had been turned off, or was it more like fuel starvation?
Click to expand...
Dunno. All i can tell you is it was very sudden, and when i restarted it it fired up immediately. If it had been fuel it would have taken time to get the fuel through so wonder if it might be electrics. On a seperate but maybe related note, i see that it says it has a full tank up to 90 miles and then drops like a stone to suddenly read half a tank. Surely this is not right.????:mad::mad::mad::nenau:nenau
 
v8legend said:
Yes, they all do that.
Click to expand...
Yes thats right,thats what i was told too. If the markings on the fuel gauge mean nothing why bother putting them on it in the first place. If you bought a car and it suddenly went from full to half full in the space of a few miles then it would in my opinion be classed as faulty, but I'm expected to accept it!!!! I DONT THINK SO!!!. The cutting out issue is apparently down to a fuel pump which is being replaced. The ticking noise is apparently no cause for concern although I have listened to another bike of the same year and model as mine but with 52000 miles on it, and THAT is quieter than mine is with a much lower 27500 miles on it. I could have it looked at but I'd be expected to meet all the costs myself. Guess they (Bahnstormers) have me over a barrel. In all i'm pretty pissed off. I only bought the bike 2 or maybe 3 days ago,and I'm NOT impressed. I also had it pointed out to me today that BAHNSTORMERS DOES read this forum. I'd be interested to know what they think of my latest missive....

I just feel that more could be done but actually isnt.



I'll get me coat again.
 
mark2jag said:
If the markings on the fuel gauge mean nothing why bother putting them on it in the first place. If you bought a car and it suddenly went from full to half full in the space of a few miles then it would in my opinion be classed as faulty, but I'm expected to accept it!!!! I DONT THINK SO!!!.

I just feel that more could be done but actually isnt.

I'll get me coat again.
Click to expand...

Have you got the computer? That is very accurate. I see where you are coming from, but I only use my guage as an indicator as to when I need to fill up. If it hasn't moved, then no worries.
 
Hi Mark, of course we read this forum, it is one of the best. As a company that lives and dies by our reputation I think you will always find us helpful when dealing with problems. However, if you would like our opinion on anything, I would always recommend lifting the phone or mentioning it when you are here. 01420 587 007.

Alistair
 
Bahnstormer8 said:
Hi Mark, of course we read this forum, it is one of the best. As a company that lives and dies by our reputation I think you will always find us helpful when dealing with problems. However, if you would like our opinion on anything, I would always recommend lifting the phone or mentioning it when you are here. 01420 587 007.

Alistair
Click to expand...

This is why I have a big proverbial hug for Bahnstormer. Not many people have issues with them & they have a lovely viewing area into the bike workshop. This gives me a feeling that they are not hiding what and how long things take.

I am hoping to get my bike serviced (when money allows) down @Alton, though my 200+mile trip has to be planned well!

ps: Have you checked to see if the battery terminals are tight? Because I did some adding removing gadgets at night and had cut-outs the next morning. It was self-inflicted homer moment ;)
 
mark2jag said:
Yes thats right,thats what i was told too. If the markings on the fuel gauge mean nothing why bother putting them on it in the first place. If you bought a car and it suddenly went from full to half full in the space of a few miles then it would in my opinion be classed as faulty, but I'm expected to accept it!!!! I DONT THINK SO!!!. The cutting out issue is apparently down to a fuel pump which is being replaced. The ticking noise is apparently no cause for concern although I have listened to another bike of the same year and model as mine but with 52000 miles on it, and THAT is quieter than mine is with a much lower 27500 miles on it. I could have it looked at but I'd be expected to meet all the costs myself. Guess they (Bahnstormers) have me over a barrel. In all i'm pretty pissed off. I only bought the bike 2 or maybe 3 days ago,and I'm NOT impressed. I also had it pointed out to me today that BAHNSTORMERS DOES read this forum. I'd be interested to know what they think of my latest missive....

I just feel that more could be done but actually isnt.



I'll get me coat again.
Click to expand...

Hi Mark ... I have had similar issues with my bike since I bought it 3 years ago ... engine rebuilt at 14000 miles after it made this noise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ_AfL2-pLA

Then engine cut out problems which apparently was fuel pump or fuel pump electronics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VckwhiG2UqM

... always had a massive ticking noise (sometimes sound like a tractor):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEqsWSMjCv4#t=9m26s

.... I am now on almost 42000 miles, still going strong, engine still ticking, but I am 100% sure it has something to do with oil pressure. I changed my cam chain tensioner, no change.

While on a trip down Africa, I could only find 10w60 oil (Motorex) from a local KTM dealer in Nairobi, Kenya and since then, I swear by it ... with 10w60 oil it sounds so much better. Recently had a BMW dealer put 10w40 in again during a service, ticking is back (more so when engine is hot). My next oil change, I am putting 10w60 in again ...

Other than that, great bike, love it ! Not had one single problem (except side stand switch) on a London to South Africa trip, awesome bikes !

http://uk2za.wordpress.com/2010/11/20/f800gs-problems/

Good luck ...
 
mark2jag said:
Dunno. All i can tell you is it was very sudden, and when i restarted it it fired up immediately. If it had been fuel it would have taken time to get the fuel through so wonder if it might be electrics. On a seperate but maybe related note, i see that it says it has a full tank up to 90 miles and then drops like a stone to suddenly read half a tank. Surely this is not right.????:mad::mad::mad::nenau:nenau
Click to expand...
Newsflash.......... New fuel pump ordered.... New Fuel pump arrived... Box opened, fuel pump may apparently have been damaged in transit. Another fuel pump ordered, but as it was the weekend, fuel pump was to be fitted on Tuesday, and it was and it worked, and err thats alll folks. The ticking noise is allegedly the blades of the waterpump. Apparently some are noisier than others, so basically thats it. However they did loan me a 1200GS until mine was fixed, and it did make me decide that when Im in a position to buy one I absolutely definitely want one. Only mine (NOT an ex demo hopefully) WILL HAVE OIL IN and I wont have to fill it using my own oil, although in defence they did replace the oil i used, which was sort of a goodwill gesture which was appreciated. Just a shame they have no interest in stopping it sounding like a bomb about to explode.......


Oh yes and I still enjoy riding it.... WITH EARPLUGS!!!!!!!!




P.S. IF i use this 10w60 oil is it fully synthetic part synthetic or something else and would it mix with the oil thats already in there which is the standard 10w40 fully synthetic I THINK!!!
 
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