Rattle ?

[50pence]

Hello,

When trolling along slowly in traffic or perhaps through 30 limit villages at low revs, perhaps as low as 2000rpm, I detect a kind of rattle as I gently wind on the throttle, dont really notice it if doing say 30 in 3rd and I whack it open because it just takes off however if I gently accelerate, say from 20 in 3rd or 25 - 30 ish in 4th there is what appears to be a slight rattle as the revs build, it only lasts a second or two, I am sure it is not pinking. Just wondered if it could be the loose alternator bolt rattle though it is not apparent when blipping the throttle when stationary, only on the move. It also does not seem to be any kind of transmission backlash that you can induce at very low revs in a high gear.

97' 1100R, 9000 miles, full Akra, DJs and K&N.


Any ideas?


Thanks.

[Toe Knee]

Thats what my altenator sounded like when the nut came loose ...

[50pence]

Thanks though surely the alternator would rattle at idle and when blipping the throttle, not just under load?

I have not looked, how easy it it to take the alternator cover off?


Thanks.

[Toe Knee]

Its easy but remember to disconect the battery first and remove engine bars if fitted think it was 3 bolts but bottom was hardest as engine bar was in the way

[Spacebrother]

Sprocket cover has to come off as well.

[50pence]

As per other thread on this I cant hear mine at all when off the bike, I am thinking it might be a loose bit of trim etc vibrating at low revs, I am going to take the alternator cover off when I have time later in the week just to check though.

Thanks.

[chrisH]

I am thinking it might be a loose bit of trim etc vibrating at low revs

My rad cover (OEM one) was buzzing at about 2-3krpm from new. I packed it out with some plastic washers.

Might be worth whipping it off and going for a spin to rule it out.

[Good 'Ole Boy]

Hi Mate
Have a butchers at the posting I made a few minutes ago (made before I read your enquiry, Doh !), although it probably won't actually rattle when stationary, you will notice if the cap is vibrating when you watch it while revving the engine. Might not be your problem but is something to check out.
Cheers, Good 'ole Boy

[50pence]

Took out the alternator today, all's well so no nearer the cause of the rattle, who said it is a 45 min job!

[Lightspeed]

Some REXes have been known to develop a rattle, or perhaps more a buzz, at lower RPMs and its turned out to be the fairing touching the instrument pod. Another source of rattle/buzz can be the spring on the headlight adjustment screw (vertical, I think).
Another occasional problem is the rad fan support brackets breaking loose. Let the rad/headers cool and see if you can move any of them by hand.

May not be the problems but some areas to check out.

[50pence]

It is reassuring that the alternator is fine and I stopped the rad grill rattling today, reckon I must have some other bit of trim rattling at certain revs, as I said when trolling along slowly in traffic or perhaps through 30 limit villages at low revs, perhaps as low as 2000rpm, I detect a kind of rattle as I gently wind on the throttle though at 5000 + it is sweet and crisp.

No worries I guess.