| Author | Message | ||
     Dungood |
My 2004 XB12S has developed a very strange metallic rattle recently. I've searched the knowledge vault on similar problems, but all topics usually address issues related to primary or clutch, and usually talk about rattle on deceleration. Both primary and clutch were checked on my bike and are OK. "My" rattle happens only when you turn the throttle and give it even a tiny bit of load, regardless if in gear or neutral. At constant speed or deceleration there is nothing, except a much more quite repetitive "grinding" noise, like a slow, quiet coffee bean grinder, so to speak. Anyone any clues? | ||
| Andymnelson |
Is it unmuffled and fairly metalic in sound? Check your exhaust clamp (the one at the header to muffler joint) and straps. | ||
| Dungood |
Yep, like a penny in a bucket, coming from the bottom section of the bike. Will check the clamp, thx! | ||
| Ratfink |
I'm with Andy. And get those tightened up quick too. I cracked a couple header bolts on my Buell when those clamps came loose. | ||
| Bartimus |
sounds like pinging to me... | ||
| Hughlysses |
sounds like pinging to me... Well, he says "under load" and then he says "regardless in gear or neutral". I'd say it's pretty much impossible to get ping (spark knock) in neutral, so I don't think it's that. | ||
| Dungood |
No joy on the exhaust clamp: checked the entire exhaust system, no broken clamps, nothing loose. Any other ideas? This f*** rattling sound is driving me nuts, unless I wear earplugs  | ||
| Doz |
Just a shot in the dark here but I've had to repair the metal bar that holds the horn. Seen this on 2 "S" models | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Wear earplugs. Rivets loose in timing cover? | ||
| Mueller |
My 06 Ss has always had a metallic rattle that I didn't like. Seemed to get worse after the first few thousand miles, but hasn't changed for the last 7000 miles. I really hear it at cruising speed and load. Everyone I talk to says it's normal. I wear ear plugs now. If nothing else, not hearing it makes me feel better. I will be checking the exhaust clamp now though, thanks for the post. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Didn't happen to swap out the original air filter with a K&N filter recently, did you? When I did, I noticed a good amount of induction noise. | ||
| Spacecapsule1 |
how bout your pegs? My passenger pegs rattle unless the wifey's feet are on them... which isn't very often. | ||
| Midknyte |
Not what you're describing, but if/when it sounds like someone snuck a couple of wooden nickles into your transmission - it's time to check your drive chain slack... | ||
| Nobuell |
I installed a K&N filter and I could hear a distinct rattling when accelerating in the 3-4K RPM range. So much so that I removed the K&N, reinstalled the stocker just to determine if it was indeed extra noise from the K&N. The stock was significantly quieter. I reinstalled the K&N and the noises returned. Bottom line is, the K&N allows the much more intake and sounds to be transmitted to the rider. | ||
| Dungood |
OK gents, I spent some hours over the weekend working on my "rattler", and: - no joy on the entire exhaust, checked all the elements and their mounting - no joy on the air filter, yes I run K&N, but it is my second filter from them, and there was never any rattle related to induction noise on my machine\ - no joy on timing cover rivets - no joy on horn or anything else under the screen - no joy on right-hand air scoop - no joy on footpegs - no joy on key chain - no joy on primary, was checked and adjusted by an authorized H-D/Buell dealer (for whatever it's worth), they also have no clue on the source of "my rattle" Any other suggestions? I checked and tried to tighten any exposed elements. Please... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I noticed a sort of squeak/rattle sound coming from the front end when I lug it off the line recently. I finally traced it to the instrument cluster rattling I think. Perhaps the rubber instrument mounting dinguses wear out? My corrective action so far has been to not lug it off the line. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
I had the same issue with the instrument cluster. I put some rtv sealant in the hole to stop it from rattling. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Sounds like a good idea to me. | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
Maybe it's the lifters that you hear !? | ||
| Reepicheep |
My 07 does that also. Tracked some of it down to the horn, but fixed that, and something else was still rattling. I'll look and see if I can find what Terry is referring to and post pictures if I can hunt it down. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
It's not the best picture but you get the point. You can see it from the top somewhat without removing anything.  | ||
| Buell_lee |
I had the same problem pretty much as you describe I was also told that it was the horn but I looked at it twice and everything else under the screen and didn't find any issues. I then decided to take the horn off and that fixed it. Maybe it 's worth a try. I now have a much thicker bracket for the horn and the rattle has never come back. | ||
| Dungood |
As mentioned before, I took the windscreen off and checked everything under it (i.e. horn, alarm module, etc.), and there was nothing rattling there. Also had a thought about the instruments panel, checked it as well, all tight and not moving/rattling. This f*** noise seems to come from somewhere in the middle of the bike... | ||
| Hammer71 |
Try and get video so we can hear whats going on. Hard to guess | ||
| Mtnmason |
thats strange indeed and I think that i have been hearing the same thing on my 07 12R that i bought used with 10k. Whats even stranger --- i used to drive a 98 ford ranger that made a VERY similar sound. both the truck and bike only made that sound under load. it is definitely a metallic sound that is inconsistent w/ the revs. i will say this - it never affected how the truck ran. i sold it with over 200,000 mi. It made the noise almost the entire time I owned it. | ||
| Sgthigg |
Mine sounds like a dryer full of quarters. Shes got 25k+ of miles and runs awesome. Just got done wringing her kneck at VIR all day and she ran like always..strong. If your bike makes sounds they all do to a extent try not to worry about it and just ride. You have to remember too these bikes dont have water jackets and a half foot around them in plastic to deadin the sound. I say ride the heck out of your bike and enjoy!! P.S. I did have my horn ratteling around once.. | ||
| Big_red_79 |
i get the same sound under acceleration, its been aggravating for a while now, and like you, i have checked out everything i can think of but haven't found anything! | ||
| Mtnmason |
I concur w/ the quarters in a dryer analogy. Whats so strange is the fact that it is entirely inconsistent w/ revs. Has anyone ever experienced this w/ another vehicle? Btw- im serious - if you were to play an audio clip of my bike making that noise followed by a clip of my old ford ranger - i wouldnt be able to discern which was which | ||
| Yjsrule |
I'm pretty sure when these engines were built they threw a handful of spare fasteners in the bottom end for later use.  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
My mystery squeak/rattle is getting worse. It's not the instrument cluster after all. It sounds like it is coming from above the front head when the engine is rocking in the rubber mounts. Has anyone had this? Could it be the front isolator? | ||
| Yjsrule |
Could be, there are some pics on here of what a bad isolator looks like. There should be a gap between the rubber and the metal at the bottom, if not the isolator is bad. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I isolator looked fine when I was under there last. It's not vibrating any weird way either. Maybe it just need to get worse before it's obvious. I have a feeling I should pop off the airbox and look under there. | ||
| Mtnmason |
Im almost positive this noise originates in the motor. I think that checking in the airbox/instrument cluster/etc. is a waste of time | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Perhaps you're right but this is like an itch I can't scratch until I look  |
