| Author | Message | ||
     Shastarider |
Hello All, First post. I am looking for a bit of advice regarding a rattle noise on a Uly I am looking to buy. I have no experience with Buell and would to know what others think about this. When the bike is started cold it makes the noise in the attached video clip. Once the bike is warm, the rattle goes away. The bike is an ‘08 with less than 10k miles. It has seen very very little use the last few years. It is my very limited understanding there is a baffle system in the muffler unique to Buelll. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Score I pull the triggger. | ||
| Shastarider |
Ok. Let’s try the video here. Looking forward to hearing some input. Thank you. | ||
| Griffmeister |
Video doesn’t want to show up. Maybe post somewhere else and put in a link? Will it rattle at an idle where you can walk around and listen? The only moving part in the muffler is a valve that has a spring to keep it closed. Might want to check mounting hardware for loose bolts or broken straps. Low mileage Ulys are a rare find. | ||
| Arry |
I'd hate to steer you wrong, but it's probably nothing serious. One thing that rattles or taps, is the horn tapping on the back side of the windscreen. With that low of miles, the horn situation might not have been addressed yet. | ||
| Etennuly |
The horn is mounted under the front fly screen. It can vibrate its spring mount enough to touch the inside of the plastic fly screen. It can sound like the whole front end is falling off. Most can be fixed by simply grabbing it and bending it down and in. | ||
| Shastarider |
Thank you for the quick replies. Crude on the video. I will try posting it another way. I removed and refitted the lower faring which did seem to help. The sound is definitely coming from the muffler area. most pronounced on the right side of the bike, secondarily at the exhaust exit. Griffmesiter it only does it at idle after a cold start. This morning I placed the plastic dowel at various spots on the motor and nothing unusual heard. Once the big warms up, its goes away. So Arry, I think you are correct. I am not too worried about it. I went for another jaunt today as part of my T/E before the possible purchase. Twisties to dirt roads and back. As I said to a friend who owns a Uly, this bike with a 17" wheel and steep rake should not work so well on dirt roads or at least that's what we are told. Hot mother trucker but I understand there are remedies. Thank you again for the replies. | ||
| Swanthog |
Do you have a Drummer exhaust? I did and mine started doing this. I removed the Drummer ... noise gone. | ||
| Etennuly |
It is possible that the front engine isolator could be bottoming or topping out on the main mount bolt as it gyrates when cold. Look up in the bolt mount rubber webbing for cracking. | ||
| Nillaice |
cam/lifters are on the right side of the engine; hydraulic lifer noise? ... when was the last time it had an oil change? | ||
| Shastarider |
Nillaice, the noise seems much lower and to me sounds like it is coming from the stock muffler. I have placed a palstic dowel on various areas of the motor to my ear and hear nothing unusual or similar to the noise I start/warm up. Swanthiog, bike has a stock exhaust. Etennnuly, thank you I will check that if Front engine isolator. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Muffler clamp/strap? | ||
| Shastarider |
Here is a link to the video of the sound on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4wT8JOImXtE Once again, this rattle noise is on audible upon a cold start. Concerns? | ||
| Griffmeister |
Um, maybe it’s the video or my bad hearing but that sounds like an exhaust leak. Just to be sure, check the header to muffler clamp and especially be sure that both heads still have two studs and nuts each on the header flanges. | ||
| Shastarider |
Here is a post ride video after warm up. The noise in question is gone. Happens each time after a ride https://youtu.be/r7-wVcL5-WM Thoughts? | ||
| Shastarider |
Griffmeister check and all your suggestions are in place or secure. Thank you | ||
| Griffmeister |
Good to know, I’m a little gun shy. Happened to me, twice. | ||
| Shastarider |
Found the issue. There is a small leak at the interactive exhaust control system/butterfly vlave at the muffler. Discovered it by placing a small flat screw driver under it just a tad. Immediately stops the sound. It looks like the Now the question is, can the be tightened at the muffler. My search fu is not coming up with anything. | ||
| Griffmeister |
There is nothing that comes apart, the valve parts are permanently assembled. Don’t quote me on this but I think there is a small spring that keeps a little tension on the shaft, could be missing. My old muffler is buried in the shed somewhere, I could find it this weekend to see if nobody else knows. | ||
| Shastarider |
Hello Griffmeister, That spring is present. I don’t believe it is stretched. Great thing is I now know what the sound is and bought the bike. ‘08 blue Uly with 5700 original miles. Bike is mint. I will post up a pic later today. |
