Engine rattle after designer springs install

[wj_hurd]

So I installed designer springs in the bike about a month ago. Man what a difference! I love the new found power to the wheel and throttle response.

But what concerns me is this… After the install noticed a little rattle now and then that wasn’t there prior to the upgrade. If I bring the RPM’s up a little bit it goes away, I have no other rattles or low oil pressure, (As far as I know) and it comes and goes, not always there. It seems to be more frequent when warm than cold.

Now I’m confident I did everything correct and didn’t leave anything inside the clutch cover. I know I torqued all of the studs correctly, and I have no oil leaks. The oil level is full; I’m running Rotella 5w40 synthetic. However the one thing I did differently… I’m running a FRAM oil filter.

The previous oil filter was a K&N, and prior to that an OEM Suzuki brand. Never had a noise with either of them, so this is where I’m leaning more towards the culprit.

Has anyone else ever had an issue with FRAM filters on their bikes? I have always used them on my cars for years and never had an issue.
Anyone have any other thoughts of what it might be?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

[YoDude]

Just replace the oil filter with a K&N. If the rattle goes away, you have your answer. I doubt it'll make any difference however.
Could be something else too. Recheck any and all bolts you've loosened and/or removed when you did the job.

Lets us know if you find something.

Yo-

[MadCow]

How exactly does clutch springs give you more power? I'm confused here...

[wj_hurd]

How exactly does clutch springs give you more power? I'm confused here...

Power to the wheels... Meaning all of the engines potential is making to the ground and not being lost in slippage!

[MadCow]

Gotcha

[YoDude]

At least I didn't get the finger that time! Hahaha!

Yo-

[tupinambis]

I have that rattle too. Usually it's my whole gas tank. Try putting your hand under one side while riding and pushing down or lifting up. You will soon know if that's where it's coming from. I have replaced all my rubber mounts and frame pads and still cant get rid of it. So if it is indeed your problem and you figure out a fix for it... let me know.

[YoDude]

Try pressing on the gas cap as you're riding too. There have been several issues about them rattling.

Yo-

[wj_hurd]

Try pressing on the gas cap as you're riding too. There have been several issues about them rattling.

Yo-

I have the annoying gas cap rattle... Its not that... Its down by my right foot when it happens.
My gas cap only rattles once and a while... and its no where near as loud as my other rattle.

[wj_hurd]

I have that rattle too. Usually it's my whole gas tank. Try putting your hand under one side while riding and pushing down or lifting up. You will soon know if that's where it's coming from. I have replaced all my rubber mounts and frame pads and still cant get rid of it. So if it is indeed your problem and you figure out a fix for it... let me know.

The rattle is low.. by my right foot.
Gas tank is nice and firmly mounted.

[wj_hurd]

No update as of the weekend.. and I greatly appreciate the input and feedback everyone has been giving me.
I have the filter, now just need some time to swap it out.

We have been getting rain... Lots and lots of rain... So not much interest in the bike while I watch the clouds roll over my head.

Hoping to have a break in the weather this week and GIT R DONE!

[wj_hurd]

You didn't hang a rider bell down there by chance, did ya???

Wasn't part of that swap.

[YoDude]

Well, kind of baffling as there's not much in that area that can rattle around. Foot peg, brake lever, that's about it really.

Yo-

[BRONX INTRUDER]

Check your exhaust pipe isn't banging against anything.. like maybe your foot control bracket. I had an issue with rattle and vibration once and if I recall correctly.. drove me nuts for a bit til I found it was the exhaust.

[wj_hurd]

Thanks all for the input... When I swapped out the Fram oil filter for the K&N it resolved the issue.
No more rattle/tick what ever it was.
I had a gut feeling it was oil pressure related.

[BRONX INTRUDER]

Sweet!

[Fred]

Crikey---filters a re most definately NOT meant to reduce oil pressure or cause it. What is being insinuated is Fram are so crap they don't allow a flow.

Most engines now are not full flow meaning ALL oil goes through the filter, it simply filters some of it but so frequently all oil get filtered sooner or later.

I would cut that filter in half and inspect or even tell Fram

[tc1400]

Just replace the oil filter with a K&N. If the rattle goes away, you have your answer. I doubt it'll make any difference however.
Could be something else too. Recheck any and all bolts you've loosened and/or removed when you did the job.

Lets us know if you find something.

Yo-

This is an interesting thread because I have a similar rattle that I noticed only AFTER installing designer springs too. The only difference is my rattle happens when the engine is cold. The time of the spring install could be just a coincidence, but strangly it started about this same time. After 5 or 10 minutes of riding, no more. It only happens at take off, like just when the clutch engages. Same basic area too, the lower right side and seems to be near the clutch cover area but I really can't pinpoint it. The cluch works fine, all the springs bolts were torqued to the specified values. It's been working fine. Just for curiosity, I'm going to try the K&N filter on the next oil change which will be real soon. I know it sounds silly to think 'filter', but since I'll be doing an oil change anyway, why not?

[YoDude]

Designer springs will have no noticeable difference in the performance of your bike other than it will perform better than it ever has. There's nothing else to say about them. There are no known negativeness involved with the Designer springs.

Yo-

[tc1400]

I realize this. I should have posted my issue on different thread, because it's just coincidental to when I installed the springs.