Rattling Noise at Hard Throttle?

[Nonskid]

My 02 R1150R SOMETIMES gets a rattling noise that sounds like it could be from the timing chain when I crack the throttle hard in the lower gears. It is a metalic sound that sounds like it could be the chain hitting the side of the case. The bike runs great and I have no other concerns about it. There is only 16,000 mi. on the bike. I'm burning premium gas and it does not sound like spark pinging. It does not happen every time I accelerate hard. I'm wondering if it is that spring tensioner that I have read about for the timming chain. Anyone have any ideas what this might be? Is it something I should solve right away?

[jerngina]

Just changed my tensioner to the new upgraded one and that noise you are describing is now gone! I am amazed. I am also not using oil like I was - don't know why??? Easy change (15 minutes) found a link on the advrider page. This may get you there: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69360&highlight=left+chain+tensioner

[Nonskid]

That is a great post with all those pictures. I guess I'll have to order that part and change out the tensioner. Thanks

[kbasa]

It might be detonation, too.

[JimMoore]

It might be detonation, too.
That would be my guess. The cam chain tensioner rattle usually occurs at start-up. As a note, several people have claimed that a new CCT solved their pinging problem, so it might be worth doing anyway.

[bikerfish1100]

I concur with Jim and Dave- the cct is pretty much a "start-up only" issue. But it's a cheap enough and easy enough fix to warrant doing,m regardless. i knew it was an easy job from the write up on Pelicanparts, but it turned out to be even simpler than i had expected- 15 minutes, tops.

[BuddingGeezer]

My 02 R1150R SOMETIMES gets a rattling noise that sounds like it could be from the timing chain when I crack the throttle hard in the lower gears. It is a metalic sound that sounds like it could be the chain hitting the side of the case. The bike runs great and I have no other concerns about it. There is only 16,000 mi. on the bike. I'm burning premium gas and it does not sound like spark pinging. It does not happen every time I accelerate hard. I'm wondering if it is that spring tensioner that I have read about for the timming chain. Anyone have any ideas what this might be? Is it something I should solve right away?

Down south we call predetonation labor knocking and that is the exact sound it makes. Timing?????

Ralph Sims

[hobbywhore]

Have you checked the clock? The first thing I noticed after buying my '04 1150R was what sounded like the cam chain rattling around inside the cases. Then I thought, could it be something in the gearbox. It was driving me crazy. Then I posted the question in this forum and someone suggested the clock between the speedo and the tach. Well sure enough, I had the bike on the center stand for some other work, and I noticed the rattling sound again. Well without earplugs, helmet and wind, I pinpointed the rattling coming from the clock! Its just a little loose somewhere and rattles at around 3500 - 4000 RPM. Now that I know where its coming from, I have tuned it completely out and I just don't hear it anymore. Problem solved.

[jerngina]

this sound started on my '02 1150GS around 75,000 miles. Very relieved that the new tensioner solved this problem. I tried different gas, spark, all the basic things for a typical "ping" issue. Read about this fix this winter and when I got back to my bike last week (in Germany) dropped in the new parts. Back to riding hard and now have over 84,000 miles (just about all two up - loaded around 1100lbs total)...

[Nonskid]

I've heard "pinging, predetonation, knocking" in a variety of vehicles. Somehow this noise just doesn't sound like it's that. BUT I've never heard it in a R1150 motor so I could be wrong. I guess I'll have to check the timing too. With 16,000 mi. on it I was hoping to wait a few thousand miles till I did a tune up but I guess it's time. The last one was at 12,000 mi. but I don't know how good the guy was that did it. The clock loose? I think the noise is to loud to be that but again I'll check it out.

[bikerfish1100]

actually, i'd be surprised if your timing is off. unless things get molested, these bikes have a tendency to remain in perfect time, all the time. it ain't no points and condensor set up, so nothing really to wear.