Rattle driving me nuts ...

[MrChicken]

Okay guys and gals – I have a rattle. No, not the kind you give babies, and yes, I know there’s a bunch of threads on various rattles. None quite sound like mine.

First thing to say is that my ride is a new 2007 M50 with just 1,300kms on the clock. Having said that, I don’t think the rattle is your normal loosening up, new v-twin rattle.

The rattle only appears when I’m underway. I can’t reproduce it at rest by playing the throttle. It only appears at reasonably low revs and then only through a rev band. So, it’s evident when I’m coming back through the gears preparing to stop, but ceases when I’m almost at a stop. I think I can also hear it at higher speeds, but relatively low revs, but of course, all that bloody wind noise makes it harder to notice.

It’s a fairly light-sounding rattle, as though a small metal part might be brushing up against something more solid. I have poked around every accessible nook and cranny and can’t find anything obviously loose. I have held onto pretty much every part I can reach while riding, and it still persists. I’ve greased obvious moving parts.

I know it’s an impossible ask, but does this sound familiar to anyone?

Also, I’m of half a mind to spray some lubricant in and around the engine in a spray-and-pray assault, but I’m not sure if that’s a dumb idea because it obviously gets pretty hot in there.

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

[dj110965]

License plate?

[magellan0]

I'm sure you may have already thought of this, but do you have a key ring attached to your key? Maybe one of your cable ties has come lose?

[MrChicken]

Nope, not license plate or key ring. Have checked any cable ties I could reach. Nightmare ...

[Danr]

Gas Tank rubber bushings?

[Apertureguy]

Mine was the bottom two bolts which keep the rear fender & tail light assembly from swinging back and forth (although only a little bit). The main bolt at the top of the fender was good...but these bottom two were missing. Get your head down near the rear tire & look up into the fender well. There should be a small (size 10) bolt on each side.

I found some old battery terminal bolts which fit perfectly..and then I added lock washers...and now check them constantly.

[aussierider]

Originally Posted by MrChicken

Nope, not license plate or key ring. Have checked any cable ties I could reach. Nightmare ...

My entire exhaust assembly that holds the mufflers to the bike had very loose bolts at 2000 miles. The rattle i had was the loose exhaust assembly bopping about and hitting the swing arm as they passed each other while out on the road. If it's happening, you will see a spot of paint missing on the swing arm where it hits the bottom muffler.

[rjohnsonfam3]

Do you have stock or aftermarket exhaust? My rattle was after I put on the Cobra Streetrods. The shroud attaches to the pipe by use of hose clamps. They came loose and were rattling like crazy!

[Ext1jdh]

I've never had a rattle drive my...

oh, I see....

[BillyBumbler]

Sqeeze the fuel tank hard with your knees when the rattle shows up. If it ceases instantly it's the bushings. It happened to me last week and it seems common to the M50. In my case spray on silicone grease was all I had on hand, so far so good, but I have a feeling it's a temporary cure.

[Rockhead]

If you have an after market exhaust could need to tighten the heat shields or a weld on a fastner could have snapped just as in my case.

[TaterDog]

I have an OEM lightbar, and when I changed the bulbs out to 4411's? the rim of the glass lamp rattled against the fixture. You probably don't have a lightbar, but check you headlight and other light fixtures to be sure they are tight.

[MrChicken]

Guys, thanks heaps for the feedback. I'll have a bit more of a poke around in those areas suggested. I'm still running the stock pipes (not for long) but will check those as well.

Any thoughts on me spraying a light dusting of lubricant around the general engine area? I'm not thrilled at the idea, as it's all quite dry and the last thing I want (other than the rattle) is dirt and crap sticking to everything. I'm also conscious of the heat coming off the engine as well as lubricant possibly seeping down into places it probably shouldn't (like the plugs).

[Danr]

Originally Posted by MrChicken

Guys, thanks heaps for the feedback. I'll have a bit more of a poke around in those areas suggested. I'm still running the stock pipes (not for long) but will check those as well.

Any thoughts on me spraying a light dusting of lubricant around the general engine area? I'm not thrilled at the idea, as it's all quite dry and the last thing I want (other than the rattle) is dirt and crap sticking to everything. I'm also conscious of the heat coming off the engine as well as lubricant possibly seeping down into places it probably shouldn't (like the plugs).

Don't !

[BillyBumbler]

I seriously doubt that misting your whole engine with any type of lubricant will do anything other than make a mighty big mess.

[ranger04]

Ive had a similar problem with mine-'06 M50-My rattle was only heard at low throttle or high rpm when moving and never at idle. When you are cruising down the road and you hear the rattle place your finger on your gas cap and put pressure on it- see if it stops-mine does when i put pressure on the gas cap-but if i hold the tank it still rattles- so it may just be the gas cap

[MrChicken]

Ahhhh-ha!!! Think I've found it. Noticed it was quite a bit worse the last couple of days - after I'd fueled up. If I pull the gas tank upward at my crotch (not so easy when you're riding) the rattle seems to stop. So, it sounds like some silicon spray or grease on the tank mounts might do the trick ...

[Ext1jdh]

Wow...that has gotta take some...skill...

I'm guessing MsChicken is a very happy clucker?

[MrChicken]

What can I say, it's all about your pecker when you're a Chicken ...

[Ext1jdh]

I hope you're not talking about bucking on this forum...its farmily friendly.