GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

my bike rattles, making me sad.

it started a couple of days ago, where i noticed that the 5k buzz that a lot of you know about has turned into a much louder buzz/rattle.   i attempted to tighten every bolt i could find to no avail :(

i oh so hope the noise isn't coming from inside the engine.

Have you checked the cam chain tensioner?

Also, the tank is known to buzz against the frame at that rpm.

it's not the tank, because the little rubber liner is in place and pressing on the tank does nothing to reduce the noise.

i don't think it's the cam chain, because when i adjusted my valve clearences ~600mi ago, the chain seemed fine.

here is another clue (if that helps).  i have srinath's case-savers installed on the mounting bolts.  first, they vibrate like crazy. i always knew that the bike vibrates quite a bit, but i don't know if this is normal amount. mind you, you cannot really tell by looking, but when i put my foot on the case saver while riding, my foot feels buzzed.

also if i push on the case saver while riding, the noise decreases significantly.

Have you laid the bike over at all on those savers, it is possible something cracked and has recently broke completly, it may be worth it to take the bolts out and inspect them and the case savers good.  Also I would recommend taking the tank off and visually inspecting all the mounting points and making sure you havent lost any of the rubber spacers, they all are very important and it doesnt matter if you have the rubber deal along the edge of the tank, if you are missing one of the spacers it will rattle no matter what, dont ask me how I know.

check the spacers on the case gaurds?

I had a loose exhaust flange that rattled for a few days (until a non-riding friend pointed it out  :oops: ).

Quote from: crash.........here is another clue (if that helps).  i have srinath's case-savers installed on the mounting bolts.  first, they vibrate like crazy. i always knew that the bike vibrates quite a bit, but i don't know if this is normal amount. mind you, you cannot really tell by looking, but when i put my foot on the case saver while riding, my foot feels buzzed.

also if i push on the case saver while riding, the noise decreases significantly.

Sounds like you already know what the problem is.

nope, still no clue.

went over the whole bike again, trying to find a loose bolt... not a single one that i could lay my hands on.

i guess i'll be taking it into a shop asap.

so i decided to give it one more look-over.  now the buzz/rattle has migrated up. i _think_ i have it narrowed down to either something on/around the right handle, or the tachometer.  i took the guage out and shook it (i know scientific) -- it didn't rattle.  could the tach cable cause the rattle/buzz?

Ok case guards I thought you said stepping on it made it rattle less ...
Now is it possible that the clown that made the case guards left a chunk of steel lying about inside the tubing ... whihc just now managed to work itself loose and makes the rattle ... The clown says yea its possible ... Heck it may have happened at welding time as well.
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: seshadri_srinathOk case guards I thought you said stepping on it made it rattle less ...
Now is it possible that the clown that made the case guards left a chunk of steel lying about inside the tubing ... whihc just now managed to work itself loose and makes the rattle ... The clown says yea its possible ... Heck it may have happened at welding time as well.
Cool.
Srinath.

that was exactly it!

however, now i have a much bigger problem.  one of the case guards must have been defective, because when i was taking it off, i realized that the bottom loop had broken off and the whole thing has just been hanging on by the top loop.

http://dima.p.home.comcast.net/case_savers/dscn0884.jpg
http://dima.p.home.comcast.net/case_savers/dscn0886.jpg
http://dima.p.home.comcast.net/case_savers/dscn0887.jpg

Oy ... great ... I will weld it if you want ... send it ... sorry bout that, each one was different ... so if you got one that was waaay far off ... no idea ... they were all welded with free hand sorta ... no jig ...
Cool.
Srinath.

you wouldn't happen to have a spare one laying around, would you?

i don't think the loop is weldable... it's broken right down the middle, and if you weld it so it actually holds, then it won't fit the mounting bolts.  plus, there is that piece inside that rattles  :(

I dont believe I have a full set spare, I may have to use some scrap and make one ... But OK send me a pic ... I'll see if I can slipper pipe.rod in it and weld it ...
Cool.
Srinath.

OK I forgot there were pics ... lemme look at it and show my welder ... I'll get back to ya soon ...
Cool.
Srinath.

thanks

Quote from: crash

Quote from: seshadri_srinathOk case guards I thought you said stepping on it made it rattle less ...
Now is it possible that the clown that made the case guards left a chunk of steel lying about inside the tubing ... whihc just now managed to work itself loose and makes the rattle ... The clown says yea its possible ... Heck it may have happened at welding time as well.
Cool.
Srinath.

that was exactly it!

however, now i have a much bigger problem.  one of the case guards must have been defective, because when i was taking it off, i realized that the bottom loop had broken off and the whole thing has just been hanging on by the top loop.

http://dima.p.home.comcast.net/case_savers/dscn0884.jpg
http://dima.p.home.comcast.net/case_savers/dscn0886.jpg
http://dima.p.home.comcast.net/case_savers/dscn0887.jpg

Ok great ... right next to the weld like it should ... but stupid anyway ... you crash or bump it ?? ... send it over, I have some end plates I believe, I will put it on my bike weld it on and send back ...
Cool.
Srinath.

nope, no crashes, etc. the only stress it received was being bolted to the frame.

can you PM me your addy, please?