Strange Sound - Starter problem???

[1024JLC]

This is the second time I have heard a strange noise when I stared my 02' R1150RS (23,700 miles). The 1st time was about 2 months agao, and then it happened again yesterday evening. Bike in neutral, hit the starter button and as soon as the the bike fired I heard a "quike pop or bop" sound, sort of like a metal striking metal sound. Only one pop/bop, that was it! The bike runs perfectly, no other noise, vibration, loss of oil, etc, etc. It did in again yesterday after about an hour ride, I stopped at the store to get a nice steak for dinner, and when I got back on the bike, in neutral, fired it up and again heard that noise. Again, engine seems to be functioning perfectly. Started it a couple more times last night and this morning with no problems whatsoever. I ride the bike almost everyday to work and do around 60 miles round trip.

My thoughts are leaning towards a starter problem, but I am only guessing and have no clue. Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks,
Jeff
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'02 R1150RS-A

[chrisZ]

Starter noises that I ever heard are the squealing type due to the starter not retracting fast enough after the engine starts. Never a poping sound. Wander if its perhaps back firing that you're hearing. At times when I goose the throttle while the bike is in neutral I get a pop or two, which can sound somewhat metallic.

Or perhaps during the startup, (when the bike fires up there is more shaking then usual), there is a loose connection somewhere making what ever is loose to "knock" agains some other part of the bike. During the next service look for any loose components (including the starter).

[BMW_Rogue]

I've experienced the what seems to be the same sound with my R1200C ... only a couple of times, but disconcerting. It sounds more mechanical in nature rather than a backfire or some such. Can't recall just what the circumstances were, but I'll be more diligent in documenting the next occurrence (if there is one). I had been riding prior to that and it happened on restart ...

[Spidereyes]

Interesting coincidence! Just yesterday, I wasn't quite fast enough in releasing the starter button on my R1150R, and I heard a similar "popping" sound for an instant. I figured it was the enging "running up" the starter and causing a vibration in the armature or the Bendix.

I know it didn't do the starter any good and I'm hoping I didn't do any lasting harm. If it packs in someday, it'll be my fault and not the bike.

[1024JLC]

I got a reply on a different website that suggested that in might be the cam chain tensioners...any thoughts? Your are right, it is a very disconcerting sound, mechanical in nature, not a backfire.

[JimVonBaden1]

Might have been the starter gear hanging up momentarrily, then popping back into the starter.

There is a simple cleaning procedure for this, see this thread: click here (http://bmwsporttouring.com/faq/docs/starter.pdf)

Jim :brow

[1024JLC]

I ended up replacing my "old style" cam chain tensioner on the left cylinder with the "new style" tensioner and now 2,000 miles later I have not had any reoccurrences of that slap sound on start-up, has also made things a tad less noisy. Total cost was about $85.00 and took about 1-hour of time to install (for me). Seems to have been a fix for me. :brad