2003 goldwing 99600 miles. Have developed a rattle noise getting worse. This seems to come from the front of the bike, my wife can't hear it when riding. If this were a car I would think it could be an exhaust gasket. My hearing not the best. Had several people listen to it today, they could hear it in the front but not in the back. any ideas.
Uncle Al
The best explanation from what you describe would be injector rattle. This is a totally normal idiosyncrasy common to the 1800. This would be as you describe very rhythmic, subtle and may be worse under certain circumstances. A stethoscope with the pickup placed in the one inch gap between the upper fairing and the upper part of the valve cover where the injectors are located will confirm if this is what you are hearing. (In lieu of a stethoscope, a length of heater hose held to the ear and the other end to the suspected source will isolate the noise almost as well.)
If that's not it, you may not want to know what else...
Clutch basket rattle or ACG, although both of these would be more toward the back of the engine... (use the hose )
Let us know what you find...:thumbup:-
If that's not it, you may not want to know what else...
Clutch basket rattle or ACG, although both of these would be more toward the back of the engine... (use the hose )
Let us know what you find...:thumbup:-
Only thing I can think of would be a cam chain tensioner has broken. They are made of some kind of plastic, I wouldn't ride it hard until you check it out. There's not much in the front that could rattle and it not be something serious.
I recently had a noise develop that sounds like it was very similar to what you describe. The suggestion above about the stethescope is a good one. I used one and was able to determine that the noise was being generated by a bad rear bearing in my alternator. I was also sure the noise was coming from the front of the engine and was likely cam chain related. To validate what I was hearing with the stethescope I replace the alternator and the problem sound went away. I'm not sure how come it sounded like it was coming from the front of the engine, but it did. So, please get a stethescope and see what you can determine. (Note: the problem alternator was a cheap one from eBay that only lasted 3K miles.)
The chains are continuously being tensioner by the automatic tensioners. The rattle disappearing at 1500 rpms may be the beginnings of a ADG going bad. Have you stethoscoped it to try to locate the origin of the sound?
If you pull the clutch lever in when the engine is first started (Cold) and the noise goes away "It's normal". it's the clutch basket rattling. It goes quiet with oil pressure assistance when under way.
If you can hear the fuel injectors with your helmet off when the bike is idling. "It's normal on some bikes" to hear them. Most don't "tick" some but not all do this. It isn't very loud. You can't hear them when under way.
No one on this board has ever reported a cam chain tensioner problem.
In all the engine repairs I have read on this board since 2003 I have never heard of timing chain guide rails being changed from being worn out. (there is a guy on this board with over 350,000 so far and still going)
Alternator Bearings have gone bad in alternators, They produce a Harmonic sound that changes with RPM's the higher the RPM's the worse the sound. A good mechanic would know the difference.
There have been only TWO items that have ever caused engine noise.
1) A Failed ACG.
2) Transmission gear failure.
1) If you hear a noise at idle, and it goes away after 1,000 RPM's. It's the ACG going out or already has. (ACG=Alternator Dampener)
2) You'll know Instantly if your transmission is shot.
If you can hear the fuel injectors with your helmet off when the bike is idling. "It's normal on some bikes" to hear them. Most don't "tick" some but not all do this. It isn't very loud. You can't hear them when under way.
No one on this board has ever reported a cam chain tensioner problem.
In all the engine repairs I have read on this board since 2003 I have never heard of timing chain guide rails being changed from being worn out. (there is a guy on this board with over 350,000 so far and still going)
Alternator Bearings have gone bad in alternators, They produce a Harmonic sound that changes with RPM's the higher the RPM's the worse the sound. A good mechanic would know the difference.
There have been only TWO items that have ever caused engine noise.
1) A Failed ACG.
2) Transmission gear failure.
1) If you hear a noise at idle, and it goes away after 1,000 RPM's. It's the ACG going out or already has. (ACG=Alternator Dampener)
2) You'll know Instantly if your transmission is shot.
noise gone away, only when taking off
I have been trying all of the suggestions. Bike was triked 38000 miles ago. Did a computer resent and have not heard noise rattle since. Bought a stethoscope and had a friend with better hearing then me check for rattle. None found. Bike makes noise when taking off from a start or when lugging. But when you have a 100000 miles on a clutch I guess I have to expect some noises.
Thanks to all who responded. Have a good day and keep the shinny side up.
I have been trying all of the suggestions. Bike was triked 38000 miles ago. Did a computer resent and have not heard noise rattle since. Bought a stethoscope and had a friend with better hearing then me check for rattle. None found. Bike makes noise when taking off from a start or when lugging. But when you have a 100000 miles on a clutch I guess I have to expect some noises.
Thanks to all who responded. Have a good day and keep the shinny side up.
yep its the alternator damper. mine did the same thing goes away under excelaration but sounds like ignition knock at idle.
the damper cost me 400 and i had to pull the motor to put it in, a real costly job if honda does it
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