Have been lurking in the forum for a while... now joined because I have an issue so here goes with first post and cry out for help!  2003 GS500.

My bike started making this noise this morning. I noticed it when I started it up for my commute to work as things 'sounding a bit odd'. By the time I got home tonight (20km round trip) it was making this noise at idle.



Have had this bike since spring (I've done about 2,000kms). Since I bought it, it's had a full service / checkover by a local mechanic including valve clearances. I've had no issues whatsoever. Bike has just over 50,000kms on it.

A quick check around the forum and YouTube has got me thinking this may be a problem with starter clutch bolts?

Thoughts? DIYable? I'm used to messing about with mountain bikes and have done basic car maintenance since I was a kid.

Hi richt.
It is possible that there is something wrong there but I could not hear anything too terrible. 
I am however a bit deaf so maybe I missed what you are talking about.
If it is the starter clutch bolts, the noise usually goes away above idle.

Macka

It's not bad, but there is definitely a knocking type noise developing! Noise does go away above idle.

Agree with Prmas,  Maybe it's my old ears but I can't hear anything that sounds too alarming.  About every GS500 I've ever heard sounds a tad bit "clunky",  especially at cold start.  I've begun to think that it is just the nature of the beast with these old design parallel twins.   But i'd love to know others' more experienced opinions about your sound clip of it as my 2007 sounds fairly similar with only 5500 miles on it. Keep us updated on your findings.  Cheers and good luck mate!

I don't know. Mine doesn't make noises like that and it's in pretty rough shape. If it were me I'd be checking the timing chain tensioner, that's kind of what it sounds like to me in a generic sense (timing chain rattling against a cover). Dunno about the clutch bolts, could be a good thing to check too, I just don't have enough experience with these bikes to be able to nail it down.

Maybe someone else on this forum will recognize and know precisely what that is.

Thanks for your suggestions all. Rode into work this morning (avoiding the highway!) to check / play with it - partly because I have a work trip on Thursday I'd like to use the bike for.

Whatever the noise is it does not seem to be getting any worse now.
- Noise is only up to about 2 / 2.5k revs then goes away. Suggests something is loose that stops flapping in the breeze when things get moving!
- I put it in a high gear at low speed and accelerated and there were no nasty knocks, so I don't think it's bottom end trouble (phew!)

I'll keep an eye on it. I won't be able to get time in a workshop until next weekend so I'll try and find some time. If I diagnose / fix I'll post here for others in future. Meanwhile if others have further ideas of things to check keep postin' away 

Sounds like it's not going to kill the engine in the next week

Once you get a chance to look at it, try and localize the noise the best you can. You might try using a length of hose, like vacuum hose, as kind of a makeshift stethoscope to point your ear specifically at engine parts until you find the noise. At least it'll help you determine if it's clutch, valve train or bottom end.

Good luck!

GSJack is the GS GOD here but his hearing is possibly worse than mine. LOL.
He is no longer a Spring Chicken but is the most experienced of us all. 
If you are lurking Jack, did you hear anything odd there?   

Macka