Big-end noise at startup?

[Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales]

Hi guys. I've had my 2004 Rockster for nearly a month and I love it. It's got a boat load of character - nearly as much as my Guzzi Convert(!), but more civilised and with very precise handling.

Just one niggle, though. When the oil is up to temperature and I stop for a few minutes; on restart I can just detect maybe three big-end taps before the oil pressure kicks in. I have never had a BMW before, being a Guzzi man and am slightly anal in the engineering department, so I tend to listen to the enigne. A friend says that all BMs are the same and it isn't a problem. I don't like it, but what do you think?

I think the self-cancelling indicaters are a complete waste of space. As 'Riceman' (?) commented, they can be self-cancelled - and thats the way I do it. On motorway exits, they cancel too early and at normal junctions, allowing for six or seven flashes before turning, they carry on afterwards to a point where it could be dangerous (another eight, at least). I am looking at disabling it and installing, as I said in a previous post, an audible alarm

Very best wishes

Rog.

[fnfalman]

Big end tap noises? I'm not familiar with this noise. Where is it coming from?

[elmosisu]

99% sure it is the cam chain slapping.....................normal stuff.

sounds just like a big end bearing ( almost )

[gutsibikes]

Hi Rog, I've seen you on the Oz guzzi forums. I picked up a Rockster end of last year for Leeds commuting duties.
Boxer engines are pretty bulletproof, I couldn't kill my last one even after 75000 miles so I wouldn't worry.

Talking of Converts I've just picked up another on fleabay, can't wait for it to arrive!

cheers

Ed

[Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales]

Hey Ed. Nice to see you here. Thanks for the post. I'm afraid when I get a new bike I'm like an old hen; listening to every little sound from the engine and thinking the worst of the previous owner! Paranoid! Who; me!

So you've got another Convert... Pete (R) will have to be told. I know what his description is of a one owner Convert, but multi-ownership.... Phew! Seriously Ed. Good on you. It's a cracking machine. They don't make them like that now.

20 miles from Leeds.... Harrogate? If so, I am sure you will enjoy the Dales and Moors as much as I do. I went over to Whitby yesterday via Helmsley, Cropton, Castleton and back on the main road to Pickering etc. Cracking ride.

Best wishes

Rog.

PS I still don't know whether anybody else has heard the three or four taps when starting. - I'm also like a dog with a rag. I don't let it go!

[Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales]

Hi fnfalman (sorry but I haven't been a member for very long so I don't know you by another name).

I'm 56 so I come for an era when engines were more fragile than they are now. Machining finishes and tolerances were much poorer. It's very rare nowadays for a big end to 'let go'. When someone has experienced a big-end mincing itself one never forgets it. It is often referred to as the 'death-rattle'

Best wishes,

Rog.

[fnfalman]

Ah yes, the "death rattle". Yep, it's part of the package.