Top End Knock

greenlaningxt · Jul 17, 2015

125k+ 2001 R1150GS

Without any warning I have what's sounds like a top end knock on the right hand cylinder.

Seems to be at half engine speed so pointing towards valve train.

Going to check it in the morning, but a few words of wisdom before I start might point me the the right direction.

Any ideas anyone?

kennyc · Jul 17, 2015

greenlaningxt said:
125k+ 2001 R1150GS

Without any warning I have what's sounds like a top end knock on the right hand cylinder.

Seems to be at half engine speed so pointing towards valve train.

Going to check it in the morning, but a few words of wisdom before I start might point me the the right direction.

Any ideas anyone?

end loose on one of the pushrods ?

beemer pimp · Jul 17, 2015

Sure it's not throttle body ?

Karlread · Jul 17, 2015

Check the cam chain tensioner.

greenlaningxt · Jul 17, 2015

Thanks for the replies

Pushrods, think I am missing something!

Cam chain tensioner, that's possible, but not really the right noise, will probably drop it out to check it.

Throttle body, already have the mod on it and it does not go away when holding the linkage.

Any other ideas.

Decster · Jul 17, 2015

Bring it to Kingston upon Thames, http://www.gsshop.biz/

greenlaningxt · Jul 18, 2015

Looks like it could be the inlet pushrod, definite click when I first turned the engine over with the rocker cover off.

So not so bad.

I have a couple of 1100gs heads, anyone know if they are the same pushrods.

pathfinder · Jul 18, 2015

Rocker end float?

greenlaningxt · Jul 18, 2015

Rocker end float is as it should be.

Slipperyeel · Jul 18, 2015

Are you convinced it's not the cam chain tensioner blade? See my post (posted 10 min ago). Mine has had what I'd describe as end float 'knock' since I've had it (only noticeable when is very hot, in town) so I've just put it down to that's how the bike is. But now I see the tensioner blade on the RH side misbehaving I'm wondering if that's actually been the source all along?

If I'm right, then first dibs on steptoe's time to fix it

. I'm in a hurry!

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greenlaningxt · Jul 18, 2015

Fairly sure, from what I can see that the tensioner blade is ok.

Your welcome to Steptoe's time if you need it.

I have always fixed my bikes, mostly without problems, I have always found with a noise like this it takes time to find what can be a simple fix. After all it's not done a lot of miles at 125k, my Commando was at at 140k before I took the bottom end apart to find nothing wrong!

Good oil has been the answer.

Good luck with fixing yours

Slipperyeel · Jul 19, 2015

My tensioner blades look fine too, but clearly somethings not behaving. I also fix my own bikes, just stuffed for time these days. Nor am I an expert, and with time against me, employing one seems like a good idea

From what I've gleened, to really see if the tensioner blades/rails are OK the head has to come off, so not sure how your 100% that's not a possibility. There's a post on here from 2011. Makes good reading! But the op had a top end knock like you and they got involved with cam chain tensioner blades /rails, one of which needed replacing. Replacing it didn't stop their noise. In the end they found the cam followers had gone (the theory was the cam chain slider rail had gone which eventually lead to screwing the cam followers....maybe you've already seen the post?).

The only reason I thought the tensioner blades/rails might just be of interest is because you mention the noise has started recently which could mean something has suddenly broken. Like a piece of plastic

.

Keep us posted with the story, and good luck. I'll do the same!

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Steptoe · Jul 19, 2015

Check one.. worn cam followers and cams.
Examples..

Check two for cam chain guide... I'll have some pictures for that soon as i've a broken chain guide job arriving next week

greenlaningxt · Jul 19, 2015

Thanks for that, rode the bike today. Noise definitely more of a clack clack than a tappet or follower. Only there once it's hot and not there all the time. Will strip it at the weekend now I know the pushrods are the same for 1100 and 1150. Will check followers etc.

Slipperyeel · Jul 19, 2015

Steptoe, your "check two" is the post i was referring to earlier.

Those pictures are pretty conclusive! Did you hear the bike before you took it apart? Was the 'knock' really conspicuous or just a background noise against the rest of the engine that needed some concentration to hear? I'm curious.

Do you know what causes this? Oil starvation?

greenlaningxt · Aug 9, 2015

Inlet pushrod end loose and causing knock, clacking noise, lucky I had a spare.

All sorted and nice and quite, well like an old GS should be. Apart from the gearbox which is getting louder.

Thanks for all the posts.

Good post on YouTube showing the exact problem

greenlaningxt · Sep 19, 2015

At long last I have had time to change the pushrod and the noise is gone. Checked the old one and could move one of the ends.

Steptoe · Sep 20, 2015

I posted pictures of the pushrod problem a few years ago... Sometimes it's hard to notice as the ends can be very tight and only become loose when hot.

Problem...

New and old

greenlaningxt · Sep 20, 2015

Steptoe, it might have been something I saw from you that pointed me in the right direction along with a YouTube video showing the same thing.

Slipperyeel · Sep 20, 2015

Greenlanin, how did you narrow it down to one particular side (Ex / Inlet)?

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Top End Knock

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