Rattle tracked down

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Mar 9, 2010 | 07:43 AM

NotSoStandard

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From: West Midlands, UK

Rattle tracked down

I have been trying to track down a rattle on my bike for nearly a year now. I am getting a horrible rattling when I hit a small band at the higher end of the rev range. I thought it was the heat shields on the exhaust at first, but they are all tight and I have gone over all the fasteners about a dozen times.

As I was riding today I finally figured it out it was my gas cap! Seems really obvious now I know what it is, but it really was driving me crazy. I glanced down as I heard the rattle and the thing was rattling and slowly spinning with an evil little grin on its face!

So now does anyone have a similar problem or know of a fix. I have the stock gas cap that just screws in and then snaps when it is tight enough, so the cap spins round when it is fitted. Will replacing it with a lockable cap solve the problem, or is there an easier (cheaper) solution?

Mar 9, 2010 | 08:07 AM

dstlcox

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I had a rattle too and mine ended up being the pin on my foot brake linkage ,like you it drove me crazy cause I couldn't find it ,I would go buy a new cap ,

Mar 9, 2010 | 08:35 AM

NoBoldRider

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From: Southern Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstlcox

I had a rattle too and mine ended up being the pin on my foot brake linkage ,like you it drove me crazy cause I couldn't find it ,I would go buy a new cap ,

I had exactly the same problem, except that it was the locking gas cap that was rattling. I bought a new one and and then I noticed a new rattle and it turned out to be one of the connectors under the console rattling against the tank. I wrapped some friction tape around it and FINALLY problem solved.

Mar 9, 2010 | 09:04 AM

NotSoStandard

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From: West Midlands, UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBoldRider

So was there a rattle from the original locking gas cap, or was the 'new rattle' a different issue? - I don't want to pay for a new lockable gas cap if that will rattle just the same as the old one.

Mar 9, 2010 | 09:25 PM

NoBoldRider

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From: Southern Arizona

The gas cap was rattling. I could put my hand on it and it would stop. I did replace it and then I noticed the other rattle which turned out to be the connector. If it is your gas cap, try just tightening but don't let it click. It will be tight enough for a short ride, if the rattle is gone, it's the cap.

Mar 9, 2010 | 09:33 PM

harleydavis

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Joined: May 2009

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From: Broomfield, CO

These bikes make all sort of mechanical noises that will drive you crazy! I have one that I decided to stop worrying about. I've checked everything that I could and decided that it was nothing that would cause an issue with the motor, the brakes, the wheels, or the chassis. I've got 83k on the bike and it has had this for at least 40k miles. I'm done thinking about it and am just riding the damn thing!