Chatter at less than 2500 rpm

[Corkster52]

After just completing a 2100 mile trip with friends, including hundreds of miles in the twisties of southern Ohio and West Virginia, I was finally able to narrow down the rattle or chatter that my old girl has always had for me. In any gear or speed, at less than 2500 rpm it makes a noise that I am not sure what the correct term is, but it is like every bolt on the bike is loose and rattling but once it hits 2500 I just hear the gentle growl of the engine. I use Rotella T6 5W-40 oil now but the condition has been the same no matter what oil I used. Could it be valve chatter or something like that?

[CrystalPistol]

After just completing a 2100 mile trip with friends, including hundreds of miles in the twisties of southern Ohio and West Virginia, I was finally able to narrow down the rattle or chatter that my old girl has always had for me. In any gear or speed, at less than 2500 rpm it makes a noise that I am not sure what the correct term is, but it is like every bolt on the bike is loose and rattling but once it hits 2500 I just hear the gentle growl of the engine. I use Rotella T6 5W-40 oil now but the condition has been the same no matter what oil I used. Could it be valve chatter or something like that?

Just when under a load maybe?

Not coasting too?

Mountains and hills, even gentle hills, will let you know fast when you are lugging, where as flatlands might not. My 1200 was worse than the 1500 trike (no doubt because the 1200 had only 2 power pulses per revolution where as the 1500 has 3 per revolution), but both would do it if not downshifted and rpms kept up in pulls, 3,000 or better worked for me.

[Corkster52]

Just when under a load maybe?

Not coasting too?

Mountains and hills, even gentle hills, will let you know fast when you are lugging, where as flatlands might not.

I’m very aware of what lugging sounds like (just like when I forget to down shift when starting out from a traffic light) and this is entirely different.

[CrystalPistol]

OK, no slam intended, I just read a great description of it, that was all.

[dingdong]

Have you considered that the carbs just might need rebuilding. ???

[Corkster52]

Have you considered that the carbs just might need rebuilding. ???

No, I really haven't but am hoping there is a simpler solution.

[Corkster52]

Well, not 100% certain until I take it on a highway speed ride, but what I found and corrected a loose muffler bolt on the right side. Rode it around town up to 45 mph and could not hear the rattle! Thanks for the suggestions.

[pocketchange]

Check for a vacuum leak... hopefully it's a hose. Next attempt, would be to snug-up the all of the carb fasteners.
Use your preferred carb cleaner (i like MMO) and cross your fingers while you allow it to do it's thing.
Good luck, because, rebuilding the carbs is around your next corner.. pc

[CrystalPistol]

Well, not 100% certain until I take it on a highway speed ride, but what I found and corrected a loose muffler bolt on the right side. Rode it around town up to 45 mph and could not hear the rattle! Thanks for the suggestions.

… like every bolt on the bike is loose and rattling …

To be honest, I first thought it read like a "muffler bearing" issue, see now how close I was.

[eastkytriker]

My 1500 started doing the sane thing at about 2200 to 2500 when I replaced the alternator with one made in China. Got the OEM rebuilt and put back on and problem gone.

[Wing--Man]

After just completing a 2100 mile trip with friends, including hundreds of miles in the twisties of southern Ohio and West Virginia, I was finally able to narrow down the rattle or chatter that my old girl has always had for me. In any gear or speed, at less than 2500 rpm it makes a noise that I am not sure what the correct term is, but it is like every bolt on the bike is loose and rattling but once it hits 2500 I just hear the gentle growl of the engine. I use Rotella T6 5W-40 oil now but the condition has been the same no matter what oil I used. Could it be valve chatter or something like that?

If it is a subdued rattle (eg: loose rubber mounted motor mount), my Wing needs the alternator bumpers changed (parts ordered).
When I removed the alt., the bumpers fell out and were definitely smaller than some older ones I have. Inserted those and the rumble is almost gone.

Another possibility if it is a metallic rattle\rumble.
Neighbor down the street had removed his header collector/muffler and found the expanded metal mesh came lose on one corner. At higher RPM it went away. He placed some fiberglass under it, stainless steel wired it in place, rattle gone.

[Corkster52]

I really haven't gone on a decent ride to see if tightening the muffler bolts did the trick, but am going on a ride today with my GWRRA chapter today to see how it goes.

[Corkster52]

Finished 160-mile group ride and the chatter is still there Guess I'll order a petcock rebuild kit and either rebuild it now or take it along on the next long ride (about 2500 miles total) and do it when an issue occurs again.

[Wing--Man]

Corkster, does a riding buddy hear the sounds? If so possible to he can ride around yours and pinpoint its location?