Engine rattle - Help!!!

[GS5uk]

If anyone could give me any suggestions to the following problem i'd be very greatful. GS has done 7000 miles now and is a 2000 model. When the bike is stationary after being ridden there is a very noticable rattle that seems to me to be coming from the front of the engine. I have researched the problem on the internet and this has led me to believe that the problem could be the camshaft belt??!  I'm not brilliant with the mechanics of the bike but i know you guys are! Please please can anyone give me some suggestions as to what to check or let me know if the bike should be okay for now, only i'll be riding it about 500 miles this weekend and i dont want to get stuck in a place which i'm not familiar with because my bikes broken down.

Cheers again, Matt

[davipu]

well if it's a camshaft belt then you got some serious problems.

[cheesy]

either camshaft tensioner or camshaft endplay.


I'd replace the camshaft tensioner first.

[ginoe]

view this thread, find the vid i made and listen to my knock - is it like yours?

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18803&highlight=

[The Buddha]

Yea is it a tap tap tap distinct and almost equally spaced semi metallic tapping ... that = shims and valves ... almost normal ... even set correct ... they make a racket. If its a semi metallic chain draging along the ground type noise ... that = cam chain ... you probably can re wind the thing but I'd be worried cos you dont seem like you can ... But swap it and might take care of it. BTW take off the valve cover and while checking valve clearances you look at the stretch of chain between the cam sprokets ... if at any time when you're turning the motor over ... that chain ever shows any slack ... the CCT is done. Re wind or replace.
Cool.
Srinath.

[GS5uk]

view this thread, find the vid i made and listen to my knock - is it like yours?

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18803&highlight=

It sounds nearly exactly the same! I took the bike to my local suzuki workshop and they reckon it would be the camshaft from what i described, i'm sure they could have helped more but the bike didn't make the noise when i went!! Will it be okay to do the 500 miles this weekend?? Its been doing it for quite a while now.

Thanks guys, Matt