Engine pinging

[mistykz]

So, I just bought an '05 gs500f with about 1k miles on it. I've noticed that there is a slight pinging noise in the engine, and I looked in the owner's manual, which attributed it to the fuel type, although as far as I know the fuel I'm using is alright (it's the premium, 91 octane). Anyone have any ideas as to what this could be?

[lilbill]

Is it a clickity clackity sound?  If so that's probably just the sound of the tappet valves.  Otherwise a bit more description or a video or audio clip is worth millions of words

Yeah 91 octane is fine but save the money and just run 87...the GS is not high enough compression to need higher octane

Keep us updated

[mistykz]

The camera i was using couldn't pick up the sound, it's not loud enough but its noticeable. It kind of sounds like a faint clinking sound, but its not rhythmic or anything with the engine. I don't really know if it's anything to worry about at this point, but I just wanted to make sure.

[Ronin]

I was running 87 oc Appco and it was pinging pretty good.Switched to Shell 93 oc and it all went away.A friend told me that Shell has good gas,and that it would take the crap carbon off the back of the intake valves.
It sure looks good.Like gas used to,kinda a blue hue to it and it smells like real gas. Been running really good the last week.

[blwnbwtie]

air cooled engines tend to make a little more valve noise, because the cooling fins echo the sound a little.  My air cooled VWs do the same thing.  Has the bike had its 600 mile service, maybe the valves are a little loose.  Maybe im wrong but if it is really faint it sounds to me its just the way air cooled engines are.  Hard to tell with out hearing it.

[dgyver]

Lean the bike to to each side, listening for the sound. If it is more prominent with the bike leaning, it is just cam shaft side play.

[mistykz]

I bought it at about 970 miles, the owner said he had done the 600 mile initial service. I may get everything double checked just to be sure though.

[mayhem]

These motors are a little noisy.  Air cooled carburated = 

[The Buddha]

A metallic ping ... literally setting your ears ringing even at low volume ... will make you wince ... = detonation. I dunno anyhting else I'll call a ping. Metallic anything is bad. Most head noises sound like you're clacking/clanging plastic together. And yes, tons of clacking noises ... that's when you know you have a good GS 
Cool.
Buddha.