This afternoon I rode my gs to Wal-mart about an 1/8th of a mile so I didn't wear my helmet. I noticed when I was slowing down a weired clicking or rattling sound. I'm just curious as to what it is.

If I get a chance I will take out the audio recorder and see if I can pick it up with that. I do not notice this noise with the helmet on. Just don't need more issues right now!

Mary

Well, can you localize the sound to one area? If not, does it sound like sand in a can? Knocks? Metal on metal?

I've noticed 3 things that will ALWAYS make a click/rattle noise no matter what.

1. The front brake always sounds like a whizzing click noise... faint.. but noticeable if you're at low rpm or slowing from high speed.
2. The chain, if not lubed, will whizz and whirr and sound like a gritty mess.
3. The cam shafts in the motor will clunk from side to side once in a while.

Other than that it could be other things... such as:

1. Plastics rattling under engine vibration due to compression breaking.
2. Compression breaking causing valves to click... time for a check and shims if this is the case.
3. Bearings.
4. Transmission.
5. Clutch basket.
6. Main bearing...

But something tells me it's simply a funny chain/brake noise you've never heard before.

Damn, put your lid on!  You were a medic for heaven's sake!  I just heard about a guy in Lakeland who was going a few blocks to his friend's house when he got T-boned.  He's in critical condition.

Oh, yeah the click/rattle.  I would say chain.

She did mention she heard it while slowing down.  Perhaps the rear sprocket is cupped?   

Almost certainly the front brake bushings. Coming from a bike with solid rotors, I found the "floating rotor noise" disturbing at first, but got used to it. Verify by not using front brake while slowing down - noise goes away, that's probably what it was.

...and put your helmet on!

I think it is the chain. When my friend pushed it in the garage today it made that sound. Apparently, when the a$$ clown who knocked my bike over hit it in the rear tire and it moved up just enough to loosen the chain a wee-bit. I also, figured out the clutch lever issue too. Somehow my whole fairing got shifted to the left when the bike went down. Anyone know how to straighten that back? I"m beginning to regret not calling the insurance on this one just thought it was cosmetic and a mirror.

I forgot to mention that to get to Wal-Mart I didn't have to go on the road one turn out of sub-division Wally World right there. So, it wasn't even a block and I really needed to get some Goop for the convertible top. Trust me I don't ride anywhere really without my helmet because it is not comfortable!

Mary

I think to get your fairing back on straight youll have to pull all the plastic off and straighten your front fairing bracket itself.

chain !

clean her up and lube her with (ohhhhhhhhh here comes another damned oil vs wax vs god debate) whatever you want. ky will work, but i would put it to better uses.

if you hear the whirrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRRRR as you slow, after heavy front braking, it's likely your rotor making a little noise. no big deal.

the chain is a big deal. clean n lube, then make sure it's not about to fall apart. how many miles you got on flick now ?

Flick just hit 10,000 (lol I think you're the first one to recognize his name)    It is definately the chain that has to be tightened it's slack was 2.5 inches! I got out the cotter pin but dang I could not get the axle bolts to move to save my life. The chain itself is in good condition and I cleaned it up real good and lubed it up. My prefrences is called Slippery Stuff over KY oh wait wrong Lube! I use the stuff that the dealership gave me with the bike.

I'm not at all interested in taking that darned fairing off again! I will wait awhile all it does is keep me from doing the bar lock. When my friend get's his garage cleaned out we are going to do some painting and stuff. He's got the compressor and good paint gun so should be a fun project.

I never thought a simple knock over could do so much!

Mary

Okay so how am I supposed to get the axle bolt to loosen up so I can adjust the chain? I've pulled and pushed and stood and it just doesn't move! A picture would help or a detailed explanation on how to do this!

Thanks,
Mary

Here's an easy explanation.  Loosen the right rear axle nut only.  A 9-inch adjustable wrench will do nicely if you don't have a socket wrench.  Smack the wrench with a mallet if you can't get it to budge.  You are trying to turn it counter-clockwise, aren't you?  Once you get the right nut loose, you can spin the left one with your fingers.  Then loosen the adjuster nuts on the end of the swingarm evenly, a little at a time, and pull the wheel back, until you have a little slack and the axle is at the same position on both sides of the swingarm as indicated by the adjusting marks.  Then tighten the axle nuts and put the cotter pin back in.  Very important to keep the axle even or of course your rear wheel won't be straight.

Yeah, you just need some mechanical advantage.  Do what bill said, or slide a pipe over the wrench handle and stand on it.  If all that fails, take your wrench with you and ride over to a tire shop.  Then ask one of the fellas in the shop to loosen the nut with an impact wrench.  Tighten it up with your wrench. 

I had well over 300 ft. lb. on a hub nut trying to replace a drive shaft on a Honda Accord... broke my 2 ft. breaker bar.  The tire shop got it in about 5 seconds with their impact wrench.

WHY DIDN"T I think of that! My friend has every tool known to man he has impact wrenches and everything. Would have saved a trip to the ER last night. Was fighting with wrench and it wouldn't move! My shirt felt a little wet at the shoulder run into the bathroom and find my incision where my port is started oozing. The incision is about to open and I have to have surgery next Friday to yank it out. Soooo, with the oozing it is a sign that it is infected go to the ER had to have IV antibiotics they did let me go wiith the condition that I call the surgeon on Monday. They gave me a script for more antibiotics ugh.

Why can't I be as strong as you manly men!

Mary