So I have an 1989 GS500, its kind of a beater, but its my beater.  2nd day on it I accidently take it up in to the redline for second or two.  Now the engine has an annoying rattle.  I took the bike in a day later to get the 'engine intake boots' replaced to fix the intake leak.  I told him about the rattle, he took it for a test spin, and said it wasn't affecting the performance, told me not to lose any sleep over it.  He's really knowledgable about GS500's I doubt it was a simple "don't know".  I searched the archives and found several threads on rattles but I don't have the mechanical background to know which is my problem.  Starting in January I'm taking a bike maintanance class so I will know what to do when my bike breaks.  After I know what I'm doing I'd like to eventually mod out my GS so it looks a little less 'plain jane'.

thanks,
atek3

Is it actually a rattle sound or is it more of a  grrrrr-grrrr-grrrr sound from the engine?  Grrrrrring might be something like the harmless & common "camshaft sideplay" that some of our bikes are blessed with...there's lots of discussion on this phenom in previous threads.  Usually it comes and goes depending on several factors.

I also have an 89' and I also love it like you do yours.  It's paid for, it's mine, and nobody can take it from me.  "you can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead fingers" is how I feel about my bike.

If you ever have the chance, take a spin on a modern 600cc inline 4.  You'll hop back on your GS and be AMAZED at all the noises.  Most consider this the charm of the GS.  It's just a noisy stone age motor and we love it for that  

I am always afraid that one noise or another means it's going to blow up but it keeps chuggin' along...  I expect yours will do the same.

Suppose you had the engine taken apart in front of you, what would you do to fix the camshaft sideplay?

thanks,
atek3

First, read the Smooth and Clattery thread.

Then, read a few posts starting at the top of page 2 in the New GS-500F Owners - Engine noise thread.

Finally, check out  this MrCycles parts fiche page.  Use the dropdown control to select "CAM SHAFT - VALVE" and then examine items 3 and 10 in the diagram.  (Reference numbers 3-1 thru 3-4 and 10-1 thru 10-4 in the price list.)

you know if you cut the pipes off you can't hear all the noises. :mrgreen:

Quote from: V8PintoI also love it like you do yours.  It's paid for, it's mine, and nobody can take it from me.  "you can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead fingers" is how I feel about my bike.

Ditto.  

Quote from: davipuyou know if you cut the pipes off you can't hear all the noises. :mrgreen:

Heck yeah...  Open Supertrapp for me