[maxt]

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I had mentioned in an earlier post that Ihave a 83 GL1100, first Wing. The bike had sat for about five years when I got it. I did all the necessary things to get it running and it seemed to run quite well and loud with the totally rusted out exhaust.

I found and installed agood used exhaust and could hardly wait to hear it run muffled down, wish I hadn't--- clank--clunk--rattle! D-mn!

I've heard rod knock before and this doesn't seem to have that sound, but I'm not 100% sure.I did what I know to check the problem, (one at a time) run with plug wire off, plug out, rotate to tdc back off push piston with screw driver in plug hole to feel for movement-none.

It seems to be coming from the aft or near rear of the motor. It is as though something is loose- rotating and clanks-clunks when engine rotation catches up with it.

It only does this at idle. Bring it off idle even just a little and the noise goes away.

It reminds me of the noise you can hear in some V-twins with the uneven idle rotation, like my Vulcan does, but it is normal in that thing.

I know reading about a noise problem isn't as good as a trained ear, but any input would be appreciated.

I hope it is just a loose whatsamacallit on the doodad that is next to the thingamabob that turns the gizmo on the hoodinkthat has the whole thing catywompis and outakilter.

Thanks,

maxt

 

[BobbyW]

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It is common to hear this noise on the GL1100's. It is just the Primary Drive Chain rattling about. Carb sync seems to help, at least it did on mine. Nothing else can be done about it except giving it more gas at start off.

 

[retiredintime]

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Yes it could well be the primary chain. It could also be the alternator bolt is loose and allowing the rotor to wobble on it's shaft. That will make a terrible rattle too. Remove the 17mm cap nut from the lower left rear of the engine and under there is a 12mm wrench size bolt. That bolt should not be loose. It is used to rotate the engine when checking timing etc. Sometimes folks try to turn the engine backwards and inadvertintly loosen the bolt. To get mine tight enough I had to put the bike in 5th gear and have the wife hold the rear brake too...

 

[maxt]

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Thanks for the info,

I checked the alternator bolt and it was tight.

Is there access to the primary chain with the motor in the bikeor is this a major tear down?

maxt

 

[Dadoo]

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The noise that you describe is probably the primary chain, as mentioned before. To get at the primary chain requires the engine to be removed, split and taken further apart than it is worth. The noise is harmless. It can be 90% reduced when all cylinders are firing evenly. This usually requires carb work and/or balancing. Other less likely causes are spark plug or ignition. When all cylinders are working in harmony, the noise will only be heard when the motor is under load at too low an RPM.(lugged)

John

 

[maxt]

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I'll do a carb balance and tune andsee what results I get.

Thanks,

maxt

 

[Dieseltu]

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Ihad the same noise. 82 bike sat up 3 years with froze carbs. . Carb sync killed it.

 

[SC]

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It could be a wrist pin ?



I has a similar noise that would go away and come back with regularity.



Wrist pin retainer came off and the wrist pin was bumping the cylinder wall at low idle but would move to center at higher rpm and the nose would go away.