SuzukiSavage.com - does this sound like a mechanics nightmare

LostArtist

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does this sound like a mechanics nightmare
07/25/09 at 21:28:26

my bike is starting to make a weird chriping or rattling noise

it seems to be coming from the exhaust area, but it only does it when the throttle is on, not at idle or when coasting in neutral and it happens with the bike moving or not so it's not the belt since the belt doesn't move when the bike's not moving and the chirping still happens

it's time for the 4000 mi service, do I just need to tighten something up?

engine seems to be running just fine, no lack in power or anything.

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Savage Eddie

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Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare
Reply #1 - 07/25/09 at 21:59:10

start checking for loose parts! if you can make it happen sitting still, you got it made...
loose pipes? loose battery box? can ya isolate the noise? i had a weird chirp after swapping my exhaust, yea.....forgot to tighten the sleeve and almost lost the exhaust

unlike the annoying headlight rattle that's getting progressively worse and only happens during cruising speeds, hard to make a noise stop while hanging over the handlebars Shocked

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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28884 L.A. California Gender:	Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare Reply #2 - 07/25/09 at 22:52:08 when you hear the noise, put your hand on the various places likely to rattle. Check the headlight check the speedo check the cables against the headlight check the drive pulley nut
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thumperclone Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline PGR rider riding with respect Posts: 6058 Grand Junction Colorado Gender:	Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare Reply #3 - 07/26/09 at 05:19:05 check belt guard(bang gently with your fist or rubber malllet) where the guard is covered by the front pully cover.. insulator goes there part# 14789-24B12
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Ed L.

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Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare
Reply #4 - 07/26/09 at 07:00:53

Maybe it's a loose baffle in the muffler, had it happen on a pickup and it sounded like a bad bearing. It drove me nuts till I figured it out. If the header pipe has been taken off and put back on then the round exhaust gasket at the head probably has been crushed and is leaking. You can't tell how much it has been compacted till you compare it with a new one. Mine was almost 1/2 the thickness of a new one last time I had the header off.

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Silver '02, clubman handle bars, Cobra headlight, Sportster muffler, K+N stock air filter, 152.5 main, Superbrace, oil cooler, 1/2 inch aluminium plate forward controls, spark advance, goes like stink

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LostArtist Ex Member	Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare Reply #5 - 07/26/09 at 10:02:39 okay, nothing seems loose, so I'm guessing it's something in the muffler, if an idiot takes a muffler apart will be able to put it together again??
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Ed L. Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline "We All go a Little Crazy Sometimes" Norman Bates Posts: 2808 Sunny Florida Gender:	Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare Reply #6 - 07/26/09 at 18:07:37 carefully stick a broom stick up the muffler till it hits the baffle when the bike is making the noise and see if the noise stops. Does the bike only have 4000 miles on it or is it just due for a 4000 mile check?
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LostArtist

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Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare
Reply #7 - 07/26/09 at 20:33:53

I broom stick? seriously? like a metal one right? cool

the bike has 4395 miles on it, it looks like it has a 50% chance of rain for tomorrow, how much damage could this do if I either screw it up or just don't do anything? the sound is minor but annoying and I don't here it over 55 mph, well, that's just because of wind noise though, I'm sure it's still there

thanks

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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28651 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare Reply #8 - 07/26/09 at 21:40:14 Chances are 99% it's nothing serious... I wouldn't be too worried... Double check that speedo,... try twisting, lightly prying up, mashing down.. every which way as you're riding down the road, (don't crash)... it's a very common squeaky spot...
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Savage Eddie Full Member Offline Custom Bob's ROCK! Posts: 204 40 miles west of Chicago Gender:	Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare Reply #9 - 07/27/09 at 03:54:16 Funny you should say that cause i read the post about a headlight rattle and it turned into a creative spacer/rubber hose mount for the speedometer.....sure enough, i put my finger on the noise! literally!!! placed my thumb on the speedo and the noise stopped...heh, you guys rock!!!
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Ed L.

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Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare
Reply #10 - 07/27/09 at 07:15:31

I'm betting that the header pipe is a little loose at the head. When the engine is cold tighten the two nuts at the head. Don't ovrtighten, just cinch them up a little. I've never tried the broomhandle up the muffler trick but it should be the easiest way to check if you've got a loose baffle. You could be hearing something vibrate, do as others have suggested, wander around the bike when it is running and check different parts like the sheet metal and headlight.

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Silver '02, clubman handle bars, Cobra headlight, Sportster muffler, K+N stock air filter, 152.5 main, Superbrace, oil cooler, 1/2 inch aluminium plate forward controls, spark advance, goes like stink

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Tonydtiger1971 Senior Member Offline Yet while we were sinners Christ died for us Posts: 493 Dawsonville, GA Gender:	Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare Reply #11 - 07/27/09 at 19:04:28 I think I have the same problem. A chirping noise when accelerating usually when the RPM's get moderately high right before you need to change the gear. Never hear it in 5th gear. Do I need to oil the speedometer cable?
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28651 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare Reply #12 - 07/27/09 at 19:18:45 nope,... look in the Tech Section on how to stop the speedo rattle...
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lithdoc YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 5	Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare Reply #13 - 07/30/09 at 16:36:56 Well, I think I got quite the same problem as well, it sounds like its coming from the exhaust somewhere... When I look at the muffler, it seems like the baffle has been welded in. Either way, now I have more differential diagnoses to consider, such as the rattling headlamp and the speedometer.
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runwyrlph Serious Thumper Offline Semper ubi sub ubi Posts: 846 pa Gender:	Re: does this sound like a mechanics nightmare Reply #14 - 07/30/09 at 16:41:16 sound familiar - i did the speedo mod last year - just followed the directions in the tech section - problem solved!
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