[jontow]

Have something going on with the TW since late last season, and I've probably put 1k miles on it since I noticed. The last time this happened it went pretty bad, but I'm just not sure on this one.



When the bike gets up to operating temperature, at idle theres a light "rattle" coming from somewhere. It sounds like a washer on a shaft clinking against some hard surface next to it. When the bike is cold it never seems to happen.



The observations I have: doesn't change with the clutch engaged or disengaged, despite my head telling me its somehow coming from the clutch. It doesn't sound like valve rattle, although its time for me to pop open the covers and check into that anyway. I've got a temp sensor on the bike, and it isn't getting extremely hot by any means, just up to temperature and it starts.



Before I crack anything major open and cause myself more oil leaks that I just solved... is there a washer/spacer/anything on the clutch side that might cause this noise? I don't remember from when we were hacking away on operose's clutch.



Also acceptable/desired: any hints whatsoever

EDIT: I'm running 10w40 mobil 1 racing 4T--I've been through an oil change interval, I'd run Mobil 1 20w50 in it last time, was doing it then, too. Sometimes, if I ride 40mph or less from a cold start, it won't do it, but if I exceed 45mph for any distance, the engine is 'warmed up' enough, and it'll do it.

 

[jckosnow]

im no expert but I've heard a lot of people say the tw engine is an old design & just plain noisy even when it's running well.

 

[jontow]

Well, its certainly a new noise as of late last season, but I can think of no qualifying event to bring it on. I know what valve rattle sounds like, the bike was neglected when I got it, and it was making a heck of a racket then; this sure doesn't sound like that.

 

[kdick91]

Well, its certainly a new noise as of late last season, but I can think of no qualifying event to bring it on. I know what valve rattle sounds like, the bike was neglected when I got it, and it was making a heck of a racket then; this sure doesn't sound like that.

Any way you could capture it on video? Maybe a before and after? My guess it literally as you described it, just a loose bolt/washer somewhere. If it isn't getting really loud or anything, I probably wouldn't worry too much. As it was mentioned, these motors are buzzy and loud. Vibration is a side effect of that and maybe something non-essential vibrated itself loose.



Kyle

 

[NumberThree]

Adjust your cam chain if you haven't already. My parents bought a '00, and it was very rattly sounding until I adjusted the cam chain...



It's a very easy procedure, and only takes about 5 minutes...

 

[jontow]

I might've found the rattle... ! I'll have to test my theory later, but if I'm right, its exactly what my ears heard: on the rear shock, the bottom pin that goes through the swing-arm has on one side a washer and a cotter pin.. the other side doesn't have a washer at all, and therefor quite a lot of space beside the cotter pin. That washer will readily move a few millimeters side to side.



I'll update again if this fixes it.. thats the side of the bike that I think I've narrowed the noise to, as well. Hope its something that silly!

 

[jontow]

Nope! disregard. still on the hunt.

 

[Wheetie]

Nope! disregard. still on the hunt.

Hey Jontow,



I had a similar noise that drove me absolutely crazy, a loose washer bouncing around making a buzzing/jingly type sound. Having recently replaced the leaky base gasket and installed a kickstarter on my 08, I thought for sure I left something loose and my engine was going to explode. I checked tons of stuff, and was ready to pull the side cover off just to satisfy my curiosity, but accidentally found the culprit - the metal disk surrounding the keyhole on the gas cap. It didn't sound like it was coming from up there, more like down in the engine area, but I managed to see it vibrating when I looked down. As soon as I put my finger on it, the noise stopped. Slapped a piece of tape over it, and I've been jingle free for almost 24 hours! I remember finding your post while researching my noise a few weeks ago, and then just pinned it to the gas cap yesterday. Yay for easy fix! Never in a million years would I have suspected the gas cap and it's easy enough to check, so I thought I'd pass it along. Good luck!

 

[operose]

Wheetie: Isn't it amazing? This is not a TW specific anecdote but still along the same lines.



Jontow and I were on a day ride last year, 20miles back in the woods from the nearest public road, and my DRZ started making the most horrific rattling noise at any speed, we were fairly sure it would not make it home. I'm pretty sure he could hear it from his bike while we were riding.



It turned out to be the passenger footpeg!!!!



Stupid scary noises.

 

[jontow]

Well I'll be damned. That's some astute observationing

I think that might be it.. poked at the ring around the key hole when I got out from work, and the silly little thing is loose. I haven't heard much of the noise lately, but I'll keep an eye on it now. Did you find a way to fix it, or are you just mentally fixing (ignoring) it, now that its clearly harmless?

 

[jontow]

Also: I *did* end up pulling both side covers to check it out. I had new clutch plates to install anyway, so I drained the oil and went for it. All for not, perhaps, but peace of mind is nice to have occasionally.

 

[Wheetie]

I don't have a permanent fix for it yet, but a piece of electrical tape has done wonders for my sanity. I might try to peen the ring a little, or maybe not. I'm just glad I know its nothing serious. The amount of racket it caused was unbelievable. I guess it makes sense since it was right under my nose the whole time.



Operose - Ha ha, no kidding. What a relief when it turns out to be something stupid. Glad you made it out alright.

 

[tinman tim]

Hey Jontow,



I had a similar noise that drove me absolutely crazy, a loose washer bouncing around making a buzzing/jingly type sound. Having recently replaced the leaky base gasket and installed a kickstarter on my 08, I thought for sure I left something loose and my engine was going to explode. I checked tons of stuff, and was ready to pull the side cover off just to satisfy my curiosity, but accidentally found the culprit - the metal disk surrounding the keyhole on the gas cap. It didn't sound like it was coming from up there, more like down in the engine area, but I managed to see it vibrating when I looked down. As soon as I put my finger on it, the noise stopped. Slapped a piece of tape over it, and I've been jingle free for almost 24 hours! I remember finding your post while researching my noise a few weeks ago, and then just pinned it to the gas cap yesterday. Yay for easy fix! Never in a million years would I have suspected the gas cap and it's easy enough to check, so I thought I'd pass it along. Good luck!

 

[tinman tim]

Best thing i have found to quiet such rattles on non-important items is a 'gob' of silicone. TIM

 

[elime]

My rattle was in the muffler. With the engine off I could hit the side of the muffler with my hand and hear a rattle. Or while the engine is running cover the exhaust hole with your finger or thumb. This should make it real quiet and make it easier to hear where the rattle is coming from.

 

[plumbstraight]

A simple way to track down a rattle is to take a long screwdriver and put it against the case here and there and put your ear to the handle. you can listen to your bike like a stethoscope.

 

[Point37]

Best thing i have found to quiet such rattles on non-important items is a 'gob' of silicone. TIM

^^^^this (since it's not in an area that gets hot)...it does the job and is barely visible

 

[frog13]

Best thing i have found to quiet such rattles on non-important items is a 'gob' of silicone. TIM

Ditto!.