A question for the GURUs of GS...

[Guest]

An odd thing has started happening on my 1100G today.

Lemme start by saying, Steve and I JUST replaced the clutch springs on it yesterday. The difference is night and day. I didnt get to ride it yesterday due to the lovely downpour we had untill late last night, but I did today, AMAZING difference.

We also balanced the carbs. They were just a bit off, and the bike seems much smoother now. This is ALL that has been messed with since i last rode it on Thursday over to Steve's place.

SO here's the thing. After balancing the carbs, upon startup, there is an odd BUZZZZ when letting off the throttle. I couldnt pin it down. I listened everywhere but couldnt associate it to one place in the motor. Its not a rattling like something is loose, it sounds like a bearing buzz or something like it. I took the bike out, and flogged it a bit on some backroads, and performance was not affected by the "noise" at all. As a matter of fact, after running for a while, it seemed to get MUCH quieter. but its still there. I have no idea what it is, where it came from, or why it suddenly appeared. The only thing i can associate it with is something we did when we put the clutch springs in, or balanced the carbs, but WHAT could we have done? Anyone ever have this problem? Could it be a clutch adjustment that is needed? Or am i totally off base?

Like i said it doesnt seem to affect the bike, but the noise is there for a reason. If things go as planned, I would like to take a trip to WV next weekend, since i missed Brown County, but I am worried that whatever is making the noise could cause major problems far away from home. Any input or ideas are appreciated.

Thanks guys

TCK

[duaneage]

Ride it. I think your being a perfectionist.

[tkent02]

A GS without a few funny noises is a parked GS.
Or, it may be fixing to blow.
You'll never know unless you ride it.:-)

[salty_monk]

You had the tank off to sync the carbs... you must have done. My bet is that there is something you shifted such as the clip that holds the throttle cable or you simply leaned on it a bit harder before doing up the bolt.
Try loosening the tank bolt lifting tank a couple of mm & tightening it down again.
Get it on both mine if I'm not careful.

Dan

[TheCafeKid]

I wish that i could say that i thought it was a rattling body peice gents, but I dont think that it is. It sounds like whatever it is, its coming from INSIDE the motor. It was making that noise before the tank ever went back on the bike. Its not a "rattling" noise, it sounds almost like a bearing or something, but i dunno what it could be. I'm gonna put some more miles on it tomorrow on a Toy Run/Ride so I will see what I hear. Maybe i can get an audio clip of it up or something...thanks for the input tho gents.

[salty_monk]

Maybe the bearing on the clutch release pin?? Did you get it back in right?

Dan

[focus frenzy]

clutch cable vibrating on something?

my 1000G has a buzz at a very narrow RPM spot and is not always there. it was driving me nuts till I figured it out.
it is the dress up cover that goes over the lower tripple tree fork mount.

[Switchman]

it's very possible that getting your carbs synced dead on has unmasked a sound previously covered. Cam chain noise maybe... You said you changed clutch springs...does it make the buzzing sound regardless of whether or not the clutch is engaged or disengaged?
Even though you feel sure it's not a panel or the tank...check it anyway...only takes a sec. It's amazing how sound can emanate and resonate from a totally different place from its source.
If you have a mechanics stethascope use that. Get a friend to be your throttleman and search with it. If not, get a long screwdriver, prybar or extra long drift punch and jam the handle against your ear and search around the engine that way. Works best if you stick a foam earplug in your open ear. Be careful of your plug wires...even if you're certain they are good...would suck to get your head buzzed that way.

[TheCafeKid]

Thanks for the input. I DID in fact use the screwdriver stethascope trick. (I know a lil bit bout mechanics..lol) and i honestly thought at first that it was coming from the head area, like it could have been cam chain noise, or a walking cam or what not, but the sound is like a "WHIIIIIzzzz" like it gets caught at great speed when you blip the throttle and then spins down, and thats when you hear the sound. But I could hear nothing around the head or the cam chain tensionor that sounded different from anywhere else. And you are right with the carb balancing uncovering the noise. That seemed to crop up after we'd balanced the carbs. We used the necessary precautionary techniques of having TWO fans blowing on the motor while doing it, as I am a worry wart, and was concerned about overheat. As i said, after taking it out and really getting on it (i was shifting on average around 6.5-7.5k on the tach on purpose) it actually seemed to quiet it down a bit. After that, my thoughts moved to the idea that perhaps when we put the clutch plates back in, they just needed to re-seat a bit, and thats what the racket is. But it seemed to make the noise whether the clutch was in or out. So my next thought went to the clutch basket itself. But it doesnt seem to be entirely emminating from the clutch area. Its just everywhere...lol. I dunno. I may try to put up an audio clip for you guys if it is still there after the semi long ride i plan on putting on it tomorrow. My only other thought, my starter clutch is often subject to that horrible kickback, making a wicked CLUNK sometimes. So i started considering if its in there, as all of the sudden, the last few times ive started it, NO KICKBACK. We shall see....

[TheCafeKid]

clutch cable vibrating on something?

my 1000G has a buzz at a very narrow RPM spot and is not always there. it was driving me nuts till I figured it out.
it is the dress up cover that goes over the lower tripple tree fork mount.

Thanks Leon I dont think its an outside source buzzing. As described below, it really sounds internal.

[salty_monk]

Did you make sure the clutch hub nut was tight?

Dan

[TheCafeKid]

No Dan i sure didnt, and I kick myself for not, cos *I* thought the basket was a bit loose when we were in there. Not a big deal to pull the cover off and check i suppose. Mayhaps i will do that in the next day or so if the problem persists.

[chef1366]

I get a buzz when I get low on gas.


No, I don't sniff gas


Anymore

[TheCafeKid]

I get a buzz when I get low on gas.


No, I don't sniff gas


Anymore

Like from the tank or the motor? This was making the racket when the tank was OFF and we were using a temp tank. It then continued when we put the tank on, but i was getting somewhat low on fuel.

[chef1366]

Like from the tank or the motor? This was making the racket when the tank was OFF and we were using a temp tank. It then continued when we put the tank on, but i was getting somewhat low on fuel.

The tank.
Ride it dude. If you chase down all the noise in these old bikes you'll go crazy. Like me.
If it was serious you would know.