Undetermined Rattle

[ohiorider]

Recently I changed the front tire on my 2nd Gen (2008 RSV). Since then, I've noticed a slightly "tin-y" rattle coming from the front of the bike. It seems to pop up when I drive over rough pavement or when accelerating hard, like after a turn. It lasts for a few seconds and then disappears. It's driving me crazy! I've done a cursory check, and everything appears to be tight. I can't figure out WHERE this rattle is coming from. Any suggestions?

[dacheedah]

front forks, what are you running for air in them??

[bongobobny]

Do you have an aftermarket radiator cover? Mine developed a rattle at certain RPM's when accelerating...

[Brake Pad]

driving light bar? Oh the plastic cover over the wiring for the light bar

[spike13]

chrome piece covering bottom of windshield could be the pop over bumps you may have looked at it and broke one or more of the retaining tabs pretty common might even be the rattle who knows

[dacheedah]

re check axle is 56 ft lbs and pinch bolt tightened to 13 ft lbs. Also check the rotors, did you see them perform the work??

[Kirby]

Sometimes the covers over the fork tubes will give off a sound like you are talking about if they have been bumped. I ran into the same problem after hitting a deer a couple of years ago.

[ohiorider]

Thanks guys! I'm going to go out and check or recheck all the suggested causes for the rattle - I'll keep you posted.

[ohiorider]

Well, I checked everything I could think of to check, as well as some I didn't. Still can't find the source of the rattle. I'll be doing some local riding before the International - hopefully I'll be able to solve the mystery before the 9 hour ride...

[Monty]

Check the visor on your helmet. Don't ask me how I know.

 

Rattle drove me nuts, til I figured it out.

[Snaggletooth]

I'm not qualified to discuss 2nd gen rattles as I ride one of those old leaving a trail of parts 1st gens...... but.... I seem to remember somebodies post about the mounts for the lower wind deflectors making a slight rattle when they worked loose.

[M61A1MECH]

Check those round guards that are mounted on the top of the left and right rear valve covers. They have been known to fracture right at one of the mounting screws. The two ends rub on each other and make the most annoying sound. It tends to be reflected off the inner front fairing making it sound like the noise is coming from some place forward. Had it happen a couple of times on my 98 TC.

 

You need to actually push on each end where they a fastened to the valve cover to see if they move, the fracture is so clean it is almost invisible and you will not see it until you force it to move.

[CaptainJoe]

Take the chrome cover off of bottom of windshield.

It is most likely the metal bracket(s) that hold your windshield on are loose.

 

Happened to me a couple years ago and about drove me nuts till I found it. Happened mostly when i hit a sharp bump...

[Mike G in SC]

Also, the plastic around the gas cap can get a high frequency hum. Bad on my RSTD. I just need a "round-toit" to fix it. (not your key fob?)

 

On the road, push your feet on the sides of the front cowlings or crash bars, both and each. See if this suppresses it. On one of my bikes seemed to clear doing that.

 

But it started when they worked on it. No reason to think an unrelated rattle would suddenly show.