Yes another noise question.

Al-1150

Registered user
Joined
Aug 28, 2020
Messages
103
Reaction score
1
Location
Ireland
So I now have a 1000 miles put up on my 04 1150gsa and since day one I've been chasing squeaks clatters clicks and Squeals.

I've most addressed. She now starts up ad idles quietly.
Cam chain tensioner done, valve clearance done, rocker end play done.

The noise now only happens when the temp is up to 5 bars and then it starts. Rapid clicking sounds like 2 pieces of metal tapping off each other at so fast it sounds like your making a brŕrŕr noise with a rolling R but metallic sounding. It gets worse the higher the revs.
Definitely not coming from the throttle bodies.

I'm hoping it's the pushrods I've read that the old ones can cause a noise when the engine heats up. But I really worried its the big end.

Does anyone have a link to what the two noises sound like so I can tell the difference. Bike has a 104,000miles on it.

Or if not a link at least a good description.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
 
I also have this bike and have also been chasing noises! Glad to have a noise chasing brother out there!

My current noise is intermittent and from no obvious area, I've done all the obvious, TBs, valves, pushrods, CCT, checked all bolts etc etc but it's still there. Sometimes.


I would definitely change them pushrods, my bike has 45k miles on it and one of the rod ends was loose on mine. It's only 130 quid or so for a set of 4.

Also I would recommend spending a couple of quid on a mechanics stethoscope, they're pretty handy for locating noise.



Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk
 
Obviously if you're in the US change quids for bucks and add 38%.....

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk
 
I would definitely change them pushrods, my bike has 45k miles on it and one of the rod ends was loose on mine. It's only 130 quid or so for a set of 4.

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Cheers, I'm just hesitating on that because I don't want to throw good money after bad. Did the loose pushrod end make a noise like I was describing?

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
 
My one was so loose it rattled even when cold.

From all the information I read though it's more common for the noise to start when the engine is hot and the metal tips have expanded.
Its an easy job to get them out and see if they are loose.

I think I paid £4 for my stethoscope too, which will help you hear where the noise is coming from.


Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk
 
I have no experience of big end problems so I couldn't say.

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk
 
If it were me I would order the new type of pushrod, when they arrive investigate your pushrods and replace any loose ones. If there are no loose ones (check them like the guy in that vid) send them back. That way you're only going in there once if you need to ride the bike whilst waiting for new rods if they're needed. If the noise reappears then you can always take them back out and return them or sell them on.

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk
 
Yes thats what it sounds like alright. Is there anyway a big end would sound like that?

I've never heard a failing big end sound anything like that. It has always been a deeper, harsher banging sound and I would expect to hear it equally both sides of a boxer.

It's a simple job to lift off the valve gear and check the push rods as long as you have a torque wrench for the reassembly.
 
Does your bike have OEM crash bars ? I ask because a common point of failure is the front upper mount which cracks through the weld and will vibrate in use. However, the most common cure for a 'noisy' 1150 was always better ear protection, smooth they ain't.
 
I've never heard a failing big end sound anything like that. It has always been a deeper, harsher banging sound and I would expect to hear it equally both sides of a boxer.

It's a simple job to lift off the valve gear and check the push rods as long as you have a torque wrench for the reassembly.
That's good to hear. I think a look at the pushrods is in order.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
 
Does your bike have OEM crash bars ? I ask because a common point of failure is the front upper mount which cracks through the weld and will vibrate in use. However, the most common cure for a 'noisy' 1150 was always better ear protection, smooth they ain't.
Ooh that's a new place to check for me...

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk
 
Does your bike have OEM crash bars ? I ask because a common point of failure is the front upper mount which cracks through the weld and will vibrate in use. However, the most common cure for a 'noisy' 1150 was always better ear protection, smooth they ain't.
No I have aftermarket sw motech bars. I'm confident it's engine noise.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
 
Interesting thread. In my 20 years plus of riding a GS I found the best way to solve the tapping and other noises was to put on a helmet and ride the bike ;)
 
Grab stethoscope to narrow down search, TB Butterfly?
But like luke said, earplugs best solution.

Sent from my G3121 using Tapatalk
 
Interesting thread. In my 20 years plus of riding a GS I found the best way to solve the tapping and other noises was to put on a helmet and ride the bike ;)
Haha okay, maybe I just need to accept the noise, as long as it doesn't mean the engine is going to implode I can live with it.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
 
Old style flat 4 boxer beetle engines often had pushrod failure on cylinder 3. I never knew it to cause any damage to the engine, number 3 cylinder cut out and it was just a case of fit a new pushrod.
 
Old style flat 4 boxer beetle engines often had pushrod failure on cylinder 3. I never knew it to cause any damage to the engine, number 3 cylinder cut out and it was just a case of fit a new pushrod.

Not heard of that one - they did have a habit of dropping the exhaust valve on number 3.
 
https://youtu.be/pz5GwjZldQk

I took a video of what she sounds like at idle cold this morning. You can hear the clack clack clack noise.
It's pretty quiet compared to before I replaced the tensioner, but it gets very loud when I'm riding, what do ye more experienced GS riders think. Is this normal?
Thanks everyone for your comments so far.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk
 


Back
Top Bottom