Rattling head and turn lights

[mqbenedict]

My 2002 R1150R Roadster is a great bike - Except the headlight and front turn signals rattle and the cowls around the turn signals do too. Given the otherwise good quality, this defect seems really cheesy . Anybody have a solution?

[hirsty]

Check that the two allen bolts holding the assembly up onto the head unit are tight.

Mine rattled a little after I installed the BMW speedster screen - the bolts go thru the 'arms' that support the screen. I did notice cars giving me more room on the road, before realising my headlight was jogging up & down attracting attention

It's hard to get to, and you need a fairly long allen key - there's also not much room to turn it either because the forks are in the way ...

[DJ Downunder]

This seems odd..my 02 has never done it...the headlight should be rubber mounted so you can just push it to adjust the beam without tools..maybe the rubber washer thingies are gone.

Have you looked inside the headlight..it only takes a minute or so..just undo that little screw at the bottom..maybe the parking globe has fallen out and is loose and rattling around.

Have you had the bike from new..if not you might like to check out another one and see what's different about yours.

Let us know what it was..good luck.

DJ

[Sunbeemer]

Something is loose up there. The little side covers pop off pretty easily so you can get a good look at the bracket behind them. Check all bolt tightness, and the headlight mounting bolts. You'll probably find something loose.

[Dr. Strangelove]

How do you get to the mounting bolts? They are 6mm hex, but the bracket prevents enough purchase to unscrew them. I have tried a ball head hex wrench and still can't seat it deeply enough to get the bolt to turn.

Do you have to start the bolt turning with a pliers? Does it help to remove the headlight first--doesn't seem like that would help.

Any tricks appreciated. I have a tall windscreen coming and I need to remove the brackets for my touring screen.

John

[mqbenedict]

Live and learn. Found out when you remove the windscreen brackets (which I had done) and don't replace them, there is little support for the top of the bracket. Went to Home Depot and bought some 8 mm bolts similar to the originals but shorter, and voila! Nice and steady now.

[OU812]

Getting too warm down there, eh Mark?