Rattling coming from near the handlebars?

[Advincula]

Hey all,

I have been hearing this rattling, almost grinding sound coming from the front of the bike. It only happens when I'm downshifting or slowing. At first, I thought it was my keys bouncing off the area around the ignition.

The fork isn't loose, and the handlebars don't wiggle side to side or up and down.

If I had to name where the sound is coming from, I'd say it's either coming from where the forks connect to the frame, or right below it in the engine.

I've searched the forums for any similarities, but none so far... Any ideas?

[cuong-nutz]

At first I thought it would be your clutch level rattling but I suspect it to be your VIN placard that's rivetted to your frame. It might have rattled loose or the rivets broke off. That's what happened to mine.

[contact148]

try holding the clutch lever mine was that i just keep some downward pressure on it

[Advincula]

That's the thing though; if I'm downshifting, I'm in the process of easing out the clutch, so my hand is on the lever while I'm hearing the noise. Is a loose lever still possible?

[lgk]

whens the last time you retightened all the controls?

[Advincula]

Had to be maybe 3 to 4 months ago... all were pretty tight, including the pieces that holds the fork to the frame. The only loose part I can find is the clutch lever.

[Advincula]

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

At first I thought it would be your clutch level rattling but I suspect it to be your VIN placard that's rivetted to your frame. It might have rattled loose or the rivets broke off. That's what happened to mine.

I just saw this, sorry about that. I'll check this right now to see if this is the problem!

[Advincula]

Okay, so I figured out what the problem was, although I have no idea how.

Apparently, when I cleaned and lubricated the chain, the sound stopped. I have no idea why the sound was emanating from the front of the motorcycle, but the sound has stopped and everything.

Thanks to everyone for your input!

[csmith12]

Glad you have it sorted.

For next time....

Rattling/buzzing sounds
1. clutch lever - put your fingers on it while in motion
2. brake lever - put your fingers on it while in motion
3. chain - clean/lube
4. exhaust sheild - tighten bolts
5. front fender - tighten bolts
6. fairings - tighten bolts

For popping sounds
1. stem bolt - torque to spec
2. front stem bearings - check for fluid smooth lock to lock
3. chain - clean/lube and check for frozen links
4. forks - while NOT in motion, bounce up and down
5. front sprocket - loose or too small, tighten or replace with proper size

Grinding is almost always the chain and/or sprockets, listen for a pattern of grind, stop, grind stop, ect... ect... It will sometimes go away a higher speeds as well.

[csmith12]

Also, never fully 100% trust the direction of sound while on a bike. Not only for the sounds your bike is making but for other sounds that you hear while riding, cars, trucks whatever.... You will be a safer rider when you assume if you hear it, you can't see it until you know for sure.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Also, never fully 100% trust the direction of sound while on a bike. Not only for the sounds your bike is making but for other sounds that you hear while riding, cars, trucks whatever.... You will be a safer rider when you assume if you hear it, you can't see it until you know for sure.

true, sound kind of reflects off the pavement, so its hard to tell where the sound is coming from.

[Advincula]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Glad you have it sorted.

For next time....

Rattling/buzzing sounds
1. clutch lever - put your fingers on it while in motion
2. brake lever - put your fingers on it while in motion
3. chain - clean/lube
4. exhaust sheild - tighten bolts
5. front fender - tighten bolts
6. fairings - tighten bolts

For popping sounds
1. stem bolt - torque to spec
2. front stem bearings - check for fluid smooth lock to lock
3. chain - clean/lube and check for frozen links
4. forks - while NOT in motion, bounce up and down
5. front sprocket - loose or too small, tighten or replace with proper size

Grinding is almost always the chain and/or sprockets, listen for a pattern of grind, stop, grind stop, ect... ect... It will sometimes go away a higher speeds as well.

Thanks! I wrote this down and am now going to use it in diagnosing future problems. Thanks for your advice. As to the advice about the sounds seeming like they come from a certain area, you're 100% correct. It's just hard to see where it's coming from because it only happens when I'm in motion, and it's just too dang dangerous to be looking down at my bike when I know people are moving around (even when I go around the block)