Suzuki GN250 engine rattle ???

[autobatch]

My GN250 has an engine noise. It is a rattle that gets worse as the rpm increases. In top gear at about 100 k it is getting quite noisy. I don't think it is con rod bearings because it doesn't come and go as you give it more power or back off on the power. I took off the rocker arm covers and there doesn't seem to be excessive clearance in the rocker arms. I tried adjusting the can tensioner but got no joy there. The bike only has 3,600 k on it so it is practically new. I have driven it for long distances at 100k but I would not think that should hurt it. I think it is getting worse. Any ideas?

[howdamnhard]

My GN250 has a lot of vibration around 6000rpm/100km .Demonstrated it to bike shop mechanic,he said it was normal for a GN (single cylinder).Might pay to take it to a reputeable bikeshop and get a mechanic to listen to it before you rip it to bits.

[WasPhantom]

I recall mine done that after about 2000km on the clock ( once things had loosened up well )

[Bonez]

My GN250 has an engine noise. It is a rattle that gets worse as the rpm increases. In top gear at about 100 k it is getting quite noisy. I don't think it is con rod bearings because it doesn't come and go as you give it more power or back off on the power. I took off the rocker arm covers and there doesn't seem to be excessive clearance in the rocker arms. I tried adjusting the can tensioner but got no joy there. The bike only has 3,600 k on it so it is practically new. I have driven it for long distances at 100k but I would not think that should hurt it. I think it is getting worse. Any ideas?

Maybe it's just due for an oil and filter change. It's surprising what a differance fresh oil makes to the sound of an engine.

[Squiggles]

i could have a wee listen, having had a couple of them with various knocks and rattles, they do make a fair bit of noise though....(you should hear one of mines' starter motor... fark!) werent really made for the whole 100k speed, i find i usually sit at 80k (which is fine on the motorway during the hours i travel) and its alot quieter

@3600 you're probably just hearing what a gn's just worn in engine sounds like

[autobatch]

Thanks very much for the advice everyone. Perhaps I am just being hypersensitive. The bike is not on the road just now so perhaps I will take you up on the offer of a "listen" when I get it a WOF.
Regards,
JC

[Steve 555]

Well mine has done 2200kms and I noticed that as well at high speed it tends to rattle quite loud so this is normal for GN's ????

[Storm]

Mine did the same thing- I think its just a bit of what they call "character"

[Lion]

Yea my gn was really rattly aswell, especially when I fanged it.

[xwhatsit]

If I had one and it was rattling, I'd try my best to pretend it doesn't exist

Why? Because you hardly ever see any wrecked GN250s with blown motors for sale on -- it's always because they've hit something, or been hit, or whatever. The motors just seem to keep on... well... rattling. As long as there's oil in it I guess.

[FilthyLuka]

My GN250 has an engine noise. It is a rattle that gets worse as the rpm increases. In top gear at about 100 k it is getting quite noisy. I don't think it is con rod bearings because it doesn't come and go as you give it more power or back off on the power. I took off the rocker arm covers and there doesn't seem to be excessive clearance in the rocker arms. I tried adjusting the can tensioner but got no joy there. The bike only has 3,600 k on it so it is practically new. I have driven it for long distances at 100k but I would not think that should hurt it. I think it is getting worse. Any ideas?

yeah, take the extra keys off your key chain... i had the same thing today, turns out it was my additional keys tapping against the handle bars and triple trees

also gn's have a, err, rattly character :S

[Hanne]

you hardly ever see any wrecked GN250s with blown motors for sale on -- it's always because they've hit something, or been hit, or whatever. The motors just seem to keep on... well... rattling. As long as there's oil in it I guess.

You should see the rooted engineS in Squiggles' back shed... 2 rooted top ends complete with cracked pistons.

[fishb8nz]

My mates's GN250 had a bad rattle at 35,000km and it was a rooted cam follower. His alternator went very shortly afterwards.

[gargantua]

If I had one and it was rattling, I'd try my best to pretend it doesn't exist

Why? Because you hardly ever see any wrecked GN250s with blown motors for sale on -- it's always because they've hit something, or been hit, or whatever. The motors just seem to keep on... well... rattling. As long as there's oil in it I guess.

Nothing last for too long, not even a gn250. A hard ridden bike needs serious maintanence. Given that that it has less parts, but they will be replacement thats for sure.A workhorse keeps going and going and then becomes tired.
My gn250 has serious miles on it and has required more maintanence involvement then my 1000cc, air cooled motors with similar miles.