Tock, tock rhythmic sound on GL1800, 2004

[Varekai99]

I recently started to hear a knocking, slow rhythmic tock tock noise from the front of the motorcycle. It is not rpm sensitive. Has anyone else experienced this? What is causing this noise and should I be worried! The bike is a 2004 model with less than 60k kilometers.

[tamathumper]

If it is a loud "tock" noise about every 2 seconds, then it's probably the sound of one (or both) of your electric headlight adjusters over-traveling and stripping out its plastic gears.

[WingAdmin]

If that's the case, you can see some here: /Store/New-Used ... t+adjuster

[Varekai99]

Thanks, will check and report on findings.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Can you make a video of it with your smart phone, post it on YouTube, and paste the link here.

Tip ... play the vid yourself. If you cannot hear the noise in the vid, we won't either.

[Varekai99]

Here is the reading I took this evening.

[tamathumper]

Yup, that's your headlight adjuster(s) over-traveling and "jumping teeth" on the plastic gears.

If you look up under the cowl, you'll be able to see the plastic nuts on the adjusters, and you might be able to see one or both of them slowly turning.

There are quite a few articles from different sources that lead to understanding how they work (on differential voltage) to determine their position, and how that fails over time leading to the problem you're experiencing.

[Varekai99]

Thanks Tamathumper. I’ll use your source to find a replacement part.