Noisy transmission - F650GS chain video

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bmurphy

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My F650 twin, that's done only about 1000kms, makes a horrific clattering noise from what would appear to be the chain below 2800 RPM, especially in town while holding the rev’s constant with no load. Chain adjustment is correct & the BMW dealer has checked the bike & says there’s nothing wrong.

Does anyone else’s F650 make a similar racket under these conditions.
 
Absolutely. My 2008 model did and so does the 2009 replacement which now has 500 miles on the clock. Exactly the same circumstances as you--about 25-30mph and without load. It's a total spoiler for enjoyment when riding slow. I believe it's what you might term chain slap and will try to get the dealer to do something when it has its first service, however I fear it's a design problem.

I first posted about this in June 2008, post #4 on this thread. The problem turned out to be even more serious in this case and I had a replacement chain. The 2009 models have a different chain, see post #99 on above thread.

Tim Cullis said:
From the thread on F800Riders, "anyone noticed the new chains on the 2010's? They are still made by CZ however their appearance is different. The '09s were gun metal in color and the new ones are not, they are more silver in color. I looked at and '09 and '10 side by side yesterday. Everything but the color appeared the exact same. I wonder if there might be something different other than the color?"

"From what I read it appears that the new chain has thicker sideplates and they have redesigned the process around the pin hole creation. I also believe they have improved chain lubrication."

My MY2010 replacement F650GS has the new chain.

Tim
Click to expand...
 
Interesting, let us know how you get on with the dealer at the next service. My dealer says they are all like this, but nothing’s wrong.... which I find incredible that BMW did not pick this up in the bikes development. I’ve gone as far as I can with the dealer (I am in Thailand) but I’d like to get BMW Germany’s comment. Does anyone have an email address for them?

Whatever the reason for the noise it must also be putting an additional strain on the drive components & I am sure it’s just a matter of time before I join the list of chain failures.
 
No, that's the point, neither a new chain on the 58-plated bike, nor the new design chain on the 59-plated bike have fixed the rattle.

I was reading an article about stunt riding and it mentioned the F-GS range has a longer-than-usual swinging arm, maybe that's part of the reason. I think the chain is slapping the top of the swinging arm, so maybe some rubber runner or something might help.
 
F650GS chain video--input welcome

When the bike is running at a constant slow speed (25-30 mph) without being under load there's a horrible clattering from the chain.

I had this with my first F650GS, this is the 2010 model year replacement with the so-called better chain and just 500 miles on the clock.

The chain was presumably correctly lubricated upon delivery, I've lubed it twice in 500 miles and did it again just before taking the video. I really don't like the metalic sounds when it's running on the centre stand.

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First thought is does the chain have any tight spots as I'd guess this would induce the chain to flap about at constant throttle / load settings?
 
They all do that.
It's not under any load, and suspension isn't compressed so it's at its most slack.
Even my CBF1000 (lovely smooth 4 cylinder) sounded like it was on a mission to self-destruct when I did that.

Aran
 
My chain does the same and I have checked mine. Absolutely no tight spots. So I think You can relax. That should be normal.
 
John: I rotated the wheel backwards watching the chain as it came off the rear sprocket and from what I could see there was no tight spots--unlike the chain on the previous bike (posts #4, #6, #8 and #10 on this thread.

The video doesn't do a good job or relaying the metallic clattering that's going on with the chain. I've just been outside and done the same thing with my Tenere and it's sweet, and I've never experienced this before with any other chain-driven bike.

So maybe it's something that's peculiar to the F-GS. It could be the hyvo chain that Val H refers to in the above link.

Tim
 
A simple tensioner could be fitted to prevent the chain suck.
eg.
 

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Shouldn't worry Tim ... they all do dat :thumb

No load, on the stand ... doesn't do it on the road :thumb
:beerjug:
 
Tim Cullis said:
When the bike is running at a constant slow speed (25-30 mph) without being under load there's a horrible clattering from the chain.

Does yours do that as well? Never experienced it on other bikes.
Click to expand...

Nah ... on the road as sweet as a nut unless I'm carrying 4th or 5th at low speeds, and I'm harsh on the on/off throttle. Normally in a lower gear though at town speeds...
:beerjug:
 
Tim don't worry about it, i'm on bike number 19 and apart from 1 (shaft drive) they all did it. As said before it is purely down to no load being on the chain and then the chain slapping the swing arm:thumb
 
A quick thought relating to any chain noise problem- check the back wheel is on straight!!
 
My f800gs has been doing this since new. It's now got 12K miles on the clock. It does it on and off the stand and as you point out, at low speeds when under no load.

It's just an FxxxGS thing which is annoying.
 
chain clatter

Tim Cullis said:
When the bike is running at a constant slow speed (25-30 mph) without being under load there's a horrible clattering from the chain.

I had this with my first F650GS, this is the 2010 model year replacement with the so-called better chain and just 500 miles on the clock.

The chain was presumably correctly lubricated upon delivery, I've lubed it twice in 500 miles and did it again just before taking the video. I really don't like the metalic sounds when it's running on the centre stand.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FFqvLXdvRzA&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FFqvLXdvRzA&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Click to expand...

Tom, I have just found out that my bike is fitted with the optional lowered suspension & I suspect that this is the cause of the problem as I recently tested a F650 in the UK which sounded fine. Do you have a lowered model?
 
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