lifeisnow Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Dear xx riders I have been riding a blackbird since December and I am so happy with it, amazing bike in everything. I am only not so happy because i hear a rattle on rough surgaces coming from the dashboard area. is this normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockmeupto125 Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 It can be normal, or it can be the result of incorrectly installed plastics. Your gauge cluster is rubber mounted, and can make noise and jiggle when riding over rough areas such as railroad tracks. Some folks place a couple of extra washers under the nuts that hold it in place to tighten it up. There are other things you can check as well. Start by going over the entire fairing. Its should not move on the body when properly installed. Check the fit of the ram air tubes in the front cowl (if yours is fuel injected). Look at all the fasteners in every panel...not just the bolts, but the plastic reusable pop rivets. Get a light and run your fingers along the edge of each panel, including the center V-piece. Check that the lower cowls meet properly and are fastened underneath the bike. Also look at the dash and trim components that are placed inside the fairing. And if you've added electronics or toys, make sure they are well fastened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeisnow Posted March 30, 2008 Author Share Posted March 30, 2008 It can be normal, or it can be the result of incorrectly installed plastics. Your gauge cluster is rubber mounted, and can make noise and jiggle when riding over rough areas such as railroad tracks. Some folks place a couple of extra washers under the nuts that hold it in place to tighten it up. There are other things you can check as well. Start by going over the entire fairing. Its should not move on the body when properly installed. Check the fit of the ram air tubes in the front cowl (if yours is fuel injected). Look at all the fasteners in every panel...not just the bolts, but the plastic reusable pop rivets. Get a light and run your fingers along the edge of each panel, including the center V-piece. Check that the lower cowls meet properly and are fastened underneath the bike. Also look at the dash and trim components that are placed inside the fairing. And if you've added electronics or toys, make sure they are well fastened. the previous owne installed the new lightining on the dashboard, can it be that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeisnow Posted March 30, 2008 Author Share Posted March 30, 2008 the previous owner intalled new lighting in the dashboard that lights blue, very nice. could it be this that is rattling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockmeupto125 Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Very doubtful. Indiglo gauge lighting doesn't have anything that rattles, unless the control pod is not well secured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBadExxample Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Dear life, Oh that sounds deep. Anyho... What year is your XX. If it's a 97 or 98, there's a plastic guide in the nose cowl that directs air to the oil cooler. Maybe it's loose. If the headlight is loose, it too can cause a plastic on plastic rattle. If it's a cold, rainy day at your location, like it is here, then remove the nose cowl and have a looksie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobicus Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockmeupto125 Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Please explain what good a buttplug will do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeisnow Posted March 30, 2008 Author Share Posted March 30, 2008 the noise I hear seems like glass, tick tick sometimes even on a slight bump. it drives me crazy. i am going down in garage and remove the plastics near the thank that go under the dashboard maybe I find something loose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicholy Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 You could also check your windscreen fasteners to make sure they are all tight. You can hear this clearly with you helmet on? If you hav a safe place to do so, parking lot, ride over a rough area at a safe speed without your helmet. You may be able to pinpoint the area better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeisnow Posted March 30, 2008 Author Share Posted March 30, 2008 hi there i removed the plastic panels that are situated under the dashboard and all is in place and well fastened and no noises there, I went for a ride on rough surfaces with my friend as a pillion and we found out now that its the plastics from side fairings or under the tank the click is coming not form the front Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBadExxample Posted March 30, 2008 Share Posted March 30, 2008 Install a pair of D&D mufflers, you'll never hear the rattle again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobicus Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Please explain what good a buttplug will do? Good, helpful information here And I was thinking EARPLUGS, Joe.. but feel free to try riding with a butt plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironmike Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Does your 'Bird have the light under the nose cone (below the ram ducts, on the floor of the upper fairing) or the squarish plastic filler piece..? Both have been known to get a little loose as they get older and rattle under the right circumstances... Damn, that sounds a lot like most of us, doesn't it..? Anyway, a dab or two of clear silicone adhesive on the edges usually solves the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Para045 Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Please explain what good a butt plug will do? C'mon Joe You should know they are WAY too SMALL to be a butt plug for Hobie Does your 'Bird have the light under the nose cone (below the ram ducts, on the floor of the upper fairing) or the squarish plastic filler piece..? My 98 just has a square hole No light and no filler piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeisnow Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 the gear shifter was loose, that was problem it was rattling as soon the bird tochesd rough surfaces. problem solved I hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeisnow Posted March 31, 2008 Author Share Posted March 31, 2008 i found out that the plastic cover there is under the headlamo was loose, I pushed it in and no mor noise and rattle I am hoping. can anyone tell me what is that plastic square cover? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airborneXX Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 i found out that the plastic cover there is under the headlamo was loose, I pushed it in and no mor noise and rattle I am hoping. can anyone tell me what is that plastic square cover? On Euro spec 'birds there is a small running light in the bottom of the headlight. The little plastic cover covers the hole for access to that light. Look down through the lens and you'll see where there's a knockout for the light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeisnow Posted April 2, 2008 Author Share Posted April 2, 2008 Guys I really need your help now as this thing is driving me crazy, listen all I hear is click every now on then on bumby roads coming from somewhere in front, sometimes I hear nothing. I am thinking this is something normal as everything is in place. what do you think? shall I change the fork oil maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicholy Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 If you are hearing this with your helmet on, could it be something on your helmet? Maybe your chin strap slapping the side of your helmet. Do you hear it without your helmet on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBadExxample Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 lifer, Check that the chin fairing is properly secured. Many of the fasteners on the side fairings and chin fairing (piece in front of the headers) are secured with plastic push pins. They don't last long. Here's a short list of things to check: 1. Are the two side fairings pinned together under the bike. 2. Is a foreign object (rock, bolt, washer, tool, etc.) inside the fairings, perhaps the sides of the nose cowling? 3. Is the chin fairing secure - three push pins per side and a screw on either side at the bottom. 4. There is a shroud that covers the top of the radiator, is it properly positioned and secured? 5. Verify that there are the two placement nubs on the back of the headlight holding it in two large grommets in the cowling stay. 6. Is a foreign object lodged on the inside (back) of the header pipes? 7. Are the headers secured? 8. Is the centerstand spring nice and tight. When you push the bike off the centerstand, it should forcefully retract. There are two springs coiled inside each other that retract the centerstand. Also check the kickstand. 9. The cowling stay is bolted to the steering stem, are those bolts tight? If you post close-up photos of the front of your bike I'll let you know if I see anything unusual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobicus Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Where are you located? Is there a fellow XX'r in your area who could help you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeisnow Posted April 3, 2008 Author Share Posted April 3, 2008 yes I hear it without a helmet too. could it be the key its self that rattles on the ignition key Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifeisnow Posted April 3, 2008 Author Share Posted April 3, 2008 guys if I tab on the key while inserted in the ignition key I hear a clicking sound, could it be that the sound I am hearing is coming from there as I dont think its coming from the fairing as its all in place and in perfect condition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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