Sounds like a rattle can

[automogul]

My new 50 now has about 1100 on the odometer. Around 600 miles, I noticed a new sound crop up on my way to get the all-important 600 mile service.

It only happens at certain RPM's. I hear a sound that can only be described as a beebee rattling around. I didn't notice it until the morning I took the bike for the 600 mile service.

At the time, I thought it was the gas. I accidently put regular gas in the bike (was instructed to use premium by the dealer and haven't had time to verify it in the book). So when I first heard the noise, I thought it was pinging. I thought I'd run a tank or 2 of premium, and it would go away. Well, it hasn't.

What is this noise, and is there anything I can do to fix it? I informed the shop about it, and I guess they didn't find anything when they did the service. No clue. I could always take it back to them and have them take a look. Anyone have any thoughts or a similar experience? I did a quick search and couldn't come up with anything.

Thanks in advance.

[bat4255]

What RPM?

If it only happens under load, I would guess fuel, or timing.

If it's at the certain rpm, under load or not, it may be the tappits a bit on the loose side, better loose than tight.

All I can think of right now
Jim

[tlwisner]

I've run 10,000 miles on my C50 with nothing but 87 octane fuel with excellent results. It's a low compression C50, not a Hayabusa.

The Volusia / C50 has always had audible valve train noise - and it's nothing to worry about. Did your new sound start before the 600 mile service? Did your 600 mile service include valve adjustment? As long as you are current with valve adjustments and oil / filter changes you should be fine.

[t3project]

have you changed grips?

[chadrob30]

Hmmm, maybe you two need to hook up and compare notes.... http://www.suzuki-bikes.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=11492

[v0lusia]

Originally Posted by t3project

have you changed grips?

Good catch.... The reason T3 is asking about the grips is that many of us have left a nut inside the bars after removing the grip ends.

The best description of the sound these motors produce that I have heard is an "angry sewing machine". If it sounds like that it is probably normal.

[smoothride]

I myself am restoring a 66. The noise i have been having came when i put on the light bar. seems the chrome cover doesn't go on as snug as before, have to push the tabs in real hard. after a few miles there it goes again.

[automogul]

Sorry for not getting back sooner guys. I have been in the midst of trying to get out of my new Mustang and into something else. Internet negotiations are the ONLY way to buy a new car. I'll spare you all the details.

I've been riding a bit more, and the noise is specific to an RPM range. It seems like it's only because of the vibration of the bike, but it reminds me of pinging.

I have gone through more tanks of gas, and the noise is still there. now that I have broken in the bike, I am getting on the throttle a little harder. It seems like it's clearing up somewhat.

I haven't done any changes to the bike yet. She's bones stock. I know. Shame on me. Christmas is coming. I'll get SOMETHING out of it. Of course... with trying to change cars... adding goodies will be tough. My wife and I are mostly concerned with adding gear since we are first time riders. I AM anxious to get a windscreen though.

Back to topic. Sorry. I haven't change grips or added anything. The noise came up on a cold morning when I took the bike in for its initial service at 600. I had been riding for a good 45 minutes or so and didn't notice it until the END of the ride.

I'm beginning to think that the engine is just that kind of gal. She just sings to you a little. It really isn't bothering me much anymore, and I would assume that all is well in there. I mentioned the noise during the service. The guy said they'd look into it. They checked me out with a clean bill of health, and I'm off on my way.

I will be sure to keep an eye on it though. If there is the possibility of an issue, I want to catch it.

We do have the 4 year unlimited milage warranties on our bikes though, so if something breaks... back she goes to get fixed!

[chadrob30]

Off topic-why did you get rid of your Mustang? I'm looking to get a new GT within 6 months or so...I love these cars....yours looks great with the red interior....how is the build quality on these? What about the Shaker system? I hear they rock.....thanks for any info...

[Colorado Cajun]

I hear a flapping/rattling noise once in awhile on my C50 when I'm crusing down the road. I associated it with the cable in front on the handle bars. If I reach up and put my hand on them, it stops. Good Luck!

[Firedog]

The only odd sound that I've ever really heard from my bike is a "cricket"-like noise. After about a month of driving me crazy, I found that it was the front rubber bushings on the gas tank. Something about the weather changes them and causes the tank to chirp - and only at certain RPMs. The way that I verified it was I would squeeze my knees togther and the sound would change.

When I asked the stealer about it, the only thing that they could suggest is putting some thing on the bushings to lubricate them - I'm guessing they were thinking about Vaseline (or something like that), but didn't want to tell be in fear that I would be able to do it myself.

It doesn't happen all the time and when it does, I usually don't care - I'm too busy enjoying the ride!

[automogul]

Thanks gang. I'll look into these suggestions really soon to see what turns up. chadrob30, I don't know if there is enough room to tell you everything.

Essentially, I wanted this car so bad I could pee myself. I got the car, and things were wrong with it from the day I picked it up. Most of my problems were small, but they grew fast. The dealer didn't help matters. They actually damaged other things and made NEW problems when fixing the existing ones. What a mess. The car is terrible quality, and there is a laundry list of issues with it. Visit themustangsource.com, and look in the 2005 Mustang section. That should turn you away.

My friend actually is invoking lemon law. He has 5,000 miles on his car, and long story short, it has spend way to much time at the dealer to get a vibration fixed. The dealer still hasn't fixed it, and they are now placing the 3rd transmission into the car. Again... that is a VERY long story condensed into a small space.

People are trading these things in left and right. Go look at your local dealer lots like Toyota. I bet you money they have at least one.

These cars are TERRIBLE. I wanted so badly for this car to be awesome. While it has nice features, I'm sick of stuff breaking, rattling, and just generally being garbage. My family is a Toyota familly, and I am now suffering massive humiliation for the months and months it has spent at the dealer getting things fixed. I'm trading it in on a new Tacoma as soon as I can work out the deal.

DO NOT buy these cars. They look sexy as all get out, but don't fall for the pretty face. I'm shocked by the number of good reviews these cars are still getting. No one is addressing that stuff, and right now it's underground. That's a good thing I guess because it will keep my resale higher.

Ugh. It makes me want to go and drive my Zuki. Heck... my 1988 Toyota pickup truck has held up better through 237,000 miles than that mustang has for 36k. Amazing.

[chadrob30]

Wow, I'm glad I talked to you. In order to get this thread back on topic, could you PM your email address? Thanks, Chad

[Newizuke]

Hey dude, have you checked the plastic trim on the tank. I bought a new c90 recently and took it home and pulled it apart (just cant leave anything alone). When I put it all back I left the double sided tape of the black plastic tank trim (cause i didn't have any handy) and I found that the trim rattled. It sounded like it was coming from the fromt of the motor but I stuck the trim with some tape and it's all good now.

Good luck.

[NCBoulevard]

Originally Posted by smoothride

I myself am restoring a 66. The noise i have been having came when i put on the light bar. seems the chrome cover doesn't go on as snug as before, have to push the tabs in real hard. after a few miles there it goes again.

Is the chrome cover on the 06 still plastic? If so be careful. I've read about the tabs breaking off pretty easy.

re: rattles

After adding a lightbar I also developed a rattle at certain RPMs. Hard to tell how many RPMs since Suzuki decided we don't need tachs but I do know it starts at 60mph in 5th gear and quits again at 65+/-. someone in another forum mentioned a similar set of circumstances and said that his rattle turned out to be a connector inside the headlight can that was rattling against the inside of the can. I haven't pulled mine back apart yet to see if this may be the cause but I thought I'd throw it out as a possibility.

[automogul]

It has been quite nasty here in South Carolina lately. I haven't had much energy or time to fiddle with the bike too much, save for riding it every now and again. Perhaps this weekend, I'll go out and give some of these great suggestions a try. I'll let you guys know what turns up from what you've found. Thanks for all of the great ideas, and by all means... if you can help brainstorm some more... please do. The more I can try in a single run, the better.

[Geesh]

Check the tightness of the side covers. The Intruders & C90s are known for the side covers rattling loose. just go thru and tighten snug.

[automogul]

Ok, I got some goodies for Christmas, and was playing around with the bike. I keep forgetting to look into this issue (too busy having fun riding), but now I notice it even more. I got a windscreen, saddle bags, and some ISO grips. Thanks to the windscreen, I notice the rattle even more.

Well, I started playing with the bike to figure out what is causing that. I've Isolated it down to the tank as Firedog had suggested. If I press on the tank with my legs, or even push down on the front of the tank, it changes and sometimes stops. Then, I pulled UP on the tank, and it REALLY stopped. If I pull up on the tank, it moves just a little bit... enough to notice. Now I'm thinking the tank is a little loose. If I tighten up the tank... perhaps it will stop. I'm going to take a look one of these evenings to see how it's secured. Anyone know and can hit me with some pointers? Perhaps I should remove the bolts and loctite them.

My digital camera died, so I can't snap pics of the new toys. I'm going to try and borrow the snappy new one my mom got for Christmas and use that. Don't know when I'll be able to though... We'll see.

[Firedog]

Originally Posted by automogul

If I tighten up the tank... perhaps it will stop. I'm going to take a look one of these evenings to see how it's secured. Anyone know and can hit me with some pointers? Perhaps I should remove the bolts and loctite them.

I doubt that tightening the bolt that holds the tank will do anything for your cause. If your bike is anything like the M50, there's only one bolt in the rear and the front is held on by two hooks that hook onto rubber bushings. The rubber bushings is where my sound was coming from. In the few weeks before the season ended around here, the sound wasn't noticable, but if it were, I would have tried some sort of lube (ala vaseline - sp?) on the bushings and that should have solved the problem. I would try that first. Again, if your bike is like the M50, taking off the seats will show the one bolt on the back end of the tank. Taking that bolt out would allow you to slide the tank back a bit and gain access to the bushings.

[automogul]

What would be the best lubricant to use for this?

I recently took my tank off and lubricated the bushings with White Lithium grease. When I put the tank back on, I jiggled it around a bit and the chirping went away. I rode for a bit and was content that I had killed it. Saddly, it was short lived. It returned shortly thereafter. What can I use that's safe and will last?