Hearing a "chatter" when engaging clutch and on low rpm takeoffs...

[Hobo]

My new-to-me 11RS makes a chattering noise when engaging clutch.  I'm not new to bikes (I wrench on old Harleys as a hobby) nor am I new to dry clutches that sound like a box of rocks.  Just wanted to pass this by the BMW experts.  Bike runs great, shifts great, and I have no issues.  This may just be a BMW shaft-drive sound that is new to me.  That said, the clutch splines MAY not have been done for about 25K (2nd owner had no maintenance records for the sale, but the rest of the bike was very well maintained).

As an aside, my first 100 miles on the brick have been great.    :riding:

[johnny]

greetings hobo...

its not like the motor company offerings... this thing needs be ridden faster than 20 under the posted speed limit...

j o

[Hobo]

I hear ya Johnny, and it seems this sled is going 70 mph in a heartbeat.  I've done most all of the required maintenance after buying the bike EXCEPT the splines and the monkey nuts.  I was waiting for someone to tell me "yep, that sound is caused from one of the two things you haven't checked yet..."   :yow

[TimTyler]

Mine chattered prior to its first good tune-up and valve adjustment.

[Hobo]

Mine chattered prior to its first good tune-up and valve adjustment.

Thanks Tim.  That's one of the reasons I was wondering whether the noise was "normal" for bricks.  I've done all the tuneup items including the valve measurements (all were within spec).  Even though I know the bike was very well maintained by the original owner and APPEARS to have been well maintained by the second owner, my mind immediately goes into "you didn't lube the splines when you did everything else" mode.  LOL

I'm thinking the alternator bushings would make noise all the time, not just when taking off from a stop or slow roll...

[mystic red]

I believe the nutz give knock, not a chatter. Down shifting issues is a symptom of splines. Mine has never chattered but sounds described on the internet can be hard to hear...

[Scott_]

Chatter or rattle could be cracked exhaust header, loose fairing mounts, exhaust heat shield, etc........

[johnny]

wear good ear plugs...

j o

[Hobo]

wear good ear plugs...

j o

I'm going with that one for now.  Runs great, shifts great, no downshifting issues...

[mystic red]

What year, model brick you sportin' there Hobo? The later models say splines @ 40K or wait until the downshift issue to do them. If you could add you year, model in your sig line it will help us.

[Hobo]

What year, model brick you sportin' there Hobo? The later models say splines @ 40K or wait until the downshift issue to do them. If you could add you year, model in your sig line it will help us.

Will do Scott...it's a 1996 K1100RS.  The original owner did the splines more than once before 50K, but we're not sure what the second owner did between 50K and 77K.

Appreciate all the input everyone.  Really enjoying this bike so far.  And to think that I almost bought an FJR1300 instead...

[TajMan]

MY NEW BIKE IS EXACTLY THE SAME!

82K miles, 93 K1100LT, otherwise seems to run great and tons of power.
and I trust the seller, BMW guy with other bikes and says fluids serviced regularly and always run solid.

But that's the first thing I noticed on test drive, slight chatter/noise whatever at low revs and during clutch engagement..

Good to know and not worry, I'm going to change the engine oil & trans fluid and take it on a roadtrip at the end of the month 725 miles each way.

[Grim]

I have done a bit of reading on this since mine is also rather noisy at idle. I found one post that said they solved this and it was timing chain related. The timing chain tensioner is hydraulic using oil pressure. It pushes against a rail and the rail has a peice of plastic bonded to it where the tensioner contacts it. The tensioner has a bleed hole at the point of contact. The plastic wears and allows too much oil to exit loosing tension as a result at idle when oil pressure is low. No where my issue with this is mine does it worst when it cold and oil thick when it would have the highest pressure at idle.

I have also seen another post where a stretched chain will allow contact with the cover.

In the maintence list is Alos a recommended service to replace the rail "slipper" that goes over the rail I mentioned above. $12 part.

I am planning to eventually do this. Sometime this fall so no first hand comments.

When I get home ill try to find links to both posts I referenced.

[Grim]

About halfway down is where it's shown about the chain hitting the cover.
http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/bvogel/K100/K100.htm

[Kyle10]

The 'chatter' i usually here when taking off are the people trying to warn me of the latest pieces that have fallen off my bike...