NEED YOUR OPINION

[coachk]

When I'm downshifting, I'm hearing a pretty loud rattling coming from the right side of the bike. It sounds like a bunch of nuts and bolts in a plastic milk carton being shaken.

I'm assuming it is transmission related because when the clutch is in, no noise. This only happens when downshifting. Is that normal or not?

Couple pics of where the noise is coming from...

 

[stlmikie]

Did it just happen out of the blue?

 

[coachk]

No. It's been happening ever since I bought the bike. I've had the K-9 for about a year.

 

[stlmikie]

Only on downshift? Do you ride hard and fast or kinda Cruz around guy?

 

[coachk]

Only on downshift? Do you ride hard and fast or kinda Cruz around guy?

I'm just a cruiser kind of rider.

 

[stlmikie]

I know it sounds crazy but is there anyway to get a sound bite or video clip?

 

[BadBrad]

First off, when the clutch is in, vibration is decreased, so that may explain why you're not hearing anything at that time. If you're sure it's from the right side of the bike, i would start by making sure your exhaust pipes are snugged up as well as your heat shields on your pipes. Also, take a look at the main bolt that goes into the top of your coil cover. They often come loose and will rattle. One other rattle you may want to check is your battery covers. The "ears" where the bolts go in will often break from vibration. If your pipes are loud, it may be happening when you accellerate, but you're just not able to hear it then. One other thing to check on is drive belt tension.

 

[popsicle069]

I just fixed a very similar problem on my chopper, ended up being the vent tube in the gas tank.

To me it sounded like the rocker arms were coming out the rocker boxes.

Rich

 

[Bobby Schulz]

Check all nuts, and bolts first to see if anything is loose.

 

[coachk]

All nuts and bolts are tightened. The noise is not coming from anything being loose. Here is a video of the K-9 and you can hear nothing is rattling. When I zoom in on the video the noise I'm concerned about is coming from that area. It only happens when downshifting.

video 001 - YouTube

 

[Knuckles]

Had the same issue a few years ago. Was a defect bearing inside the transmission. Pull the trans and sent to Baker. They called and said inside of my tranny looked pristine. I explained that I broke the main shaft 8 months before and Bigdog had replaced with a brand new transmission. Since it was a new tranny, Baker only charged me $80 for a complete rebuild to cover parts....no labor.
No problems since!

 

[coachk]

Had the same issue a few years ago. Was a defect bearing inside the transmission. Pull the trans and sent to Baker. They called and said inside of my tranny looked pristine. I explained that I broke the main shaft 8 months before and Bigdog had replaced with a brand new transmission. Since it was a new tranny, Baker only charged me $80 for a complete rebuild to cover parts....no labor.
No problems since!

Kind of what I was thinking but wanted to get some advice from you guys who are more experienced.

If that is the problem (bearing) is it a costly repair?

Thanks

 

[BadBrad]

Call Scot or one of the other techs at Baker to get a "ball park" price. If I'm not mistaken....and I often am, Bobby Schulz that has replied to this thread rebuilds trannys and I've only heard good reviews about his work. Maybe he can give you an estimate as well.