Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Weird noise

So my bike started making a noise I've never heard before the other day. Its a kinda a metal on metal noise or a rattling. High pitched, I dunno how else to describe it. It happens when my RPMs are up and I need to shift up OR if I shift up early and ride in a gear up, then it is almost constant. Anyone with any clues? I can't pinpoint where its coming from since I'm riding when I hear it but it is driving me insane and I'm worried about what it could be. Thanks.

I can't hear the noise myself but it kind of sounds like you either used to low a grade of gas or got some bad gas and that noise is pinging. Possible? Like I said I can't hear it for myself but the way it happens makes it a thought in my mind. Did you try draining the gas and putting fresh mid grade gas in?

I have not. I did just switch gas tanks to a bonnie tank and had to get it sealed. I wonder if the sealant is causing a problem. I have put about 400 miles on with the new tank and I just started hearing this 2 days ago when I was 2 up riding on some awesome back roads. And btw I just changed my oil so oil is fresh and level is good. I also just tightened my chain as it was pretty loose. See if that helps. Thanks Dog. oh, one more thing! i just just change out the D shaped air/fuel mixture screws for the thumb screws and I did just do that the other day. I'll try adjusting them!

I wonder if it isn't chain noise? You stated you just tightened things up. Try a bit of lube on the chain to see if the noise goes away. How many miles on the chain?

Is the noise intensity in sync with road speed or with engine rpms?

Just reread your post and from your description the noise appears to be linked to high engine rpms. Only thing that comes to mind is the cam chain tensioner but that is only a guess.

Update:
So I lubed and tightened my chain(3500 miles on chain and bike) and put new gas in it(93) and it is still making the noise. Its for sure RPM range related. Dunno what else to do. I'm not a mechanic so I'm not ready to take the top end apart. I've done a lot to my bike but I learned almost everything from this forum(thanks guys) so anyways. Any more ideas would rock, keep em coming.

Have you tried just revving her up in neutral while parked?
Might help you track down what area the noise is in

If there is no noise, try jacking up the rear wheel and running through the gears

If it does seem to be engine related, I too would take it to the shop

I wonder if it's something to do with your clutch? Try pumping the clutch handle to see if the noise pitch changes.

Two things I always check when I hear a weird noise.

1. Squirrel condoms for cracks.

2. Exhaust downpipe flange nuts. Torque should be 19Nm or 168 in lbs. Mine were loose.

Learned to watch for these from this forum.

Yeah, I thought of that stuff as well. I'm also thinking its clutch related. Its hard to say without being able to pinpoint the noise. As far as reving it up in neutral it doesn't make the noise when I do that. I'm prolly gonna end up bringing it to the dealer, hopefully it won't cost me too much.

If your bike is less than two years old, it should be covered under warranty.

Its an 08 so we'll see, plus I bought it used off a guy on craigslist.

Could be just running lean... Mine was making a strange noise similar to what you described. I kept adjusting and jetting and needling and now it is gone. It was making me crazy.

I've been running rich but maybe since switching out the air/fuel mixture screws it has fudged things up. I did buy em used and they are off a thurxton. Should be the same, yeah?

Another update, so I just adjusted the air/mixture. Notta changed, next i'll try putting the old D style screws in. Then I put the bike on the jack and put it in gear and ran it. Can not get it to make the noise! So its only on the road and at higher RPMs. This thing is driving me insane! Oh, I also double checked all the condoms and my rubber boots. Sprayed started fluid over em to see if maybe that was it, nothing. Help! Dealer isn't open till tomorrow.

**Update** Hopefully the last! I changed out my air fuel screws and no noise! So maybe it was causing me to run lean. Dunno, I did buy em used and they are a bit beat up. Ahwell, failed purchase.

So the noise is back! I took it to the dealer and they weren't sure either. Dude thinks it might be the needles in my carb aren't set right. So gonna try that.

hope ya get'r sorted.

So another update if anyone cares, my springs under the carb cover was not on all alligned correctly. Fixed it and noise was gone, but now back again! So I'm pretty sure it's carb related. I dunno what the dilly is, ohwell. I'll figure it out one day.

I got same kind of problem

My america is a 2009 EFI I bought on september 2009.

2 Months ago my vendor detected a noise inside the engine (I didn't hear anything).

He disassemled the engine twice because, the first time, He had not solved the problem.
The second time he disassembled the engine, he found that a piece witch it supposed to be an "anti noise" internal system, was not tighted well and did not make its function of "anti noise" system (a kind of silencer). I have no idea what he talk about . The sound was like pieces of metal that clash themselves , he said.

I don't know if he replaced the piece or just tighted it well. All was under warrenty. I did not paid anything.

I returned 2 weeks after to my vendor by him to control if noise was still here. And It was'nt.

I don't know if that could helps you and if what I wrote is well understandable ...

At the risk of being subjected to much laughter and derision . . . what is a squirrel condom?

The rubber caps on the vacuum ports on the intake on carb bikes.

Cool. Thanks, Dog.

Try balancing your carbs. Are you sure you aren't getting a vibration or buzz at a certain rpm? Mine has a slight buzz at around 3500 rpms that I can almost dial out by balancing. When the carbs are out of balance, it is very pronounced.

It is for sure at a certain RPMs(high). I'll try balancing the bad boys though I shouldn't need it, just hit 4000 miles. I have a balancer so might as well give it a shot.

got weird noise been told could be drive chain or clutch basket . 2year and 3 months old 4500 clock triumph have said its got high milage .

High mileage? Not in my book!