Low Speed Knocking/rattleing noise

[darb85]

Out yesterday I noticed a Slight rattle in the bike at low speed.  I cant determine where its coming from but it seems to go away after 2nd gear and is coming from the engine.  Checked The oil, its full.  Though it is time for an oil change.  wasnt sure what else to check. put the bike in neutal and brought it up in revs like pulling away from a stop, no noise.  Got on bike pulled away in first noise at about 3gs gone at 5.  came back on low end of second, and then didnt notice it in third.

I also just cleaned the Chain and relubed--Could this have done it?

Im going to be doing a valve adjustment next week, could this be the fix??

Also what tools do I need for the Adjustment, I think i have em all but want to make sure.  and then can anyone link the video for the Valve adjusment ive seen around??

Thanks yall

[manofthefield]

Almost sounds like something is just loose and vibrating

Here's some valve info with link to video: http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Maintenance/CheckValves

Let see, off the top of my head you need:
-Screwdrivers
-Socket set
-Allen wrenches (6mm?)
-Feeler gauge
-Valve shim tool, if you need to change shims
-Extendable magnet is nice to get shims
-Rag to shove into "the abyss"

[darb85]

That was my thought too. but I cant seem to find anything. other than my flippen tach that decided it didnt like the acorn nut on the right side and threw it at my face. still not sure how that happened.

Ideas of what to check for being loose? Also can I take the left side cover off or is it full of oil like the left side?  wanted to take a look in there see if maybe something was loose in there, but figured id wait till an oil change if its full of oil.

Thanks

[manofthefield]

Hard to say what the rattle could be... maybe try reving it to the speed where you hear the rattling and try locating the noise The last noise I had was a loose front fender, but that was due to some tweaking I had to do with a new fork brace.

Yup, their's oil behind that left cover.  You could tip the bike on it's right side and take it off, otherwise, yeah, you should wait till a planned oil change.

Wow, I'm watching Kerry's video for the first time... it's really good   Too bad he didn't make it until after the first time I did my valves, then when he did make it, I never felt the need to watch it.

[darb85]

ya thanks for the link.  First bike, only valves ive adjusted where on top of a in line 6 Cummins Diesel in my dads boat. that was a Buddha Loves You! try to get that thing top dead center!

[Wrecent_Wryder]

Might check the starter cover- mine was loose by the time I got around to checking it, and I think it was buzzing.

That left-side cover is... not so trivial. You might want a spare gasket on hand, just in case, though getting the old gasket off can be really hard... you have to take the sprocket cover off, with the clutch release, then when you have the side cover ready to come off, be aware you're fighting the magnetic attraction of the magneto trying to pull it back. Getting it back on, there's one dowel (hollow) to orient the gasket, but you need a second point to hold the gasket in place, and the magneto is pulling it closed... and yeah, there is oil back there, and oil channels you don't want blocked... and there's also nothing supporting the end of the starter gear with the cover off... it's a little tricky. I wouldn't just jump into that job casually.

[darb85]

Roger, wont just take the cover off Just to take the cover off. Ill check the starter cover.  Good idears

[darb85]

not the starter cover. any other ideas?

[darb85]

Something is loose alright.  Its the fing chain! things got to have 5 inches of play in it! its hitting the frame at low speed.

How do i fix, with the tool kit in the bike.  Dont want to ride when its that lose and im at work which equals no search function or manual

Thanks

[manofthefield]

Loosen the rear axle, then tighten the nuts on the adjusters on the end of the swingarm.  There should be tools for that.

The chain should have about 1" (+/- .2") of up and down play when the bike is on the sidestand

[patwcon]

the tool kit that is under the bike seat is nice to look at but not REAL helpful.  You will need to loosen the rear axle bolts on both sides and turn the chain tighening nuts on both sides (end of swing arm)... make sure to do this "even" and check to see that both sides line up to the same mark on the "scale" just above each axle bolt on each side.  Tighten axle bolts... make sure chain is not too tight -- should have a little (very little) slack.

[darb85]

Ya I can pull the chain up and touch the bottom of the frame with it.  way to damn much.  think it would be ok to chance it the 10 miles to home to fix it with proper tools?

[manofthefield]

You've been riding like that for a while now, why not 10 more miles?    If you do, just take it easy.  Might be time for a new chain anyway if it's got that much slack

[darb85]

ok Adjusted the chain, took it for a ride, and fing sound again.  went well what the hell??? Happened to look down, at the windscreen mounts, one clamp was missing and the other was really loose and hitting, causing the rattleing noise when accelerating. .

and now i feel like an idiot

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Probably cuz you are.

[darb85]

Probably cuz you are.

Bite me little spoon.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Probably cuz you are.

Bite me little spoon.

where? 

[darb85]

um is that something you need to tell us Nick?

Dude, you need to get your ass up here or  I guess i could try to get down there too. 

Hmmm, riding in the mountains. hmmmm. oh the posiblities