Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: Chris-G5 on March 28, 2011, 07:46:53 pm

Title: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Chris-G5 on March 28, 2011, 07:46:53 pm
Today I went to ride the G5 and noticed a loud vibrating rattle when the engine was revved. It is coming from the right side. I first thought it was something in the right side cover. Then I traced it to the exhaust, thought maybe the muffler. I took off the muffler and it didn't rattle. I then hit the head pipe and it rattled a lot. It sounded like there was something metal in the pipe bouncing around. It seems like it is coming from the bottom horizontal part of the pipe or at the bend. I looked inside the head pipe and there is an inner pipe on the horizontal section near the bend. I think the weld is broken loose and the two pipes are rattling against each other. Its really load and annoying! This seems like it would be a warranty issue? My warranty is up in May. Anybody else experienced this rattling head pipe?
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: r80rt on March 28, 2011, 08:42:41 pm
Sounds like a warranty issue to me, I hope it's easy to take care of.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Ducati Scotty on March 28, 2011, 08:48:43 pm
Check the heat shield.  It should be attached to the head pipe with a little clip where it comes close to the foot peg.  If you can lift it away from the pipe with moderate pressure either the clip on the pipe, the shield, or both may have broken.

This happened to me and it was amazingly loud and annoying.  And yes, it's a warranty issue.  My dealer got me a new shield lickety split.

Scott
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Chris-G5 on March 28, 2011, 09:17:35 pm
Check the heat shield.  It should be attached to the head pipe with a little clip where it comes close to the foot peg.  If you can lift it away from the pipe with moderate pressure either the clip on the pipe, the shield, or both may have broken.

This happened to me and it was amazingly loud and annoying.  And yes, it's a warranty issue.  My dealer got me a new shield lickety split.

Scott
I don't have the stock muffler and heat shield. I have one similar to the EFI silencer. I removed the heat shield, still had rattle. I removed the silencer, still had rattle. With only head pipe left I can hit head pipe with hand and can hear rattle from bottom of head pipe. Here is a video of it by a bad cameraman :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGoFg5HiLHs
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: ROVERMAN on March 28, 2011, 09:37:40 pm
Hitting the brake lever? Couldn't tell from the video.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Chris-G5 on March 28, 2011, 10:31:13 pm
Hitting the brake lever? Couldn't tell from the video.
No, its close but not rattling against brake lever.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: GreenMachine on March 28, 2011, 10:35:45 pm
catalytic converter,,,call epa..
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: jjoe256 on March 28, 2011, 11:22:32 pm
I had the same issue. The head pipe has an insert that comes loose. Mine did. I just got it replaced under warranty. Call ScooterBob. He knows allll abbooouutt iiittt.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Chris-G5 on March 29, 2011, 12:16:44 am
I had the same issue. The head pipe has an insert that comes loose. Mine did. I just got it replaced under warranty. Call ScooterBob. He knows allll abbooouutt iiittt.
Thanks, good to know it is a known about issue. I thought I was the only one with bad luck! :D
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: YJake on March 29, 2011, 01:52:04 am
Hold on here, my Bullet developed an intense BUZZZZZZZOOOOOOMMMMM  :o when I was shifting up at high revs. I have looked eveywhere seriously and can't figure it out. I'll have to try this out and see!

Did you check by simply tapping your header pipe?

Would this require a whole new header to be installed in order to fix?

-Jake
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Tri750 on March 29, 2011, 02:04:46 am
like r80rt tried to tell you, call the dealer for them to
check it out.
it's fun to work on things and do maintenance,
but you have a warranty for problems like this.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Chris-G5 on March 29, 2011, 02:55:43 am
like r80rt tried to tell you, call the dealer for them to
check it out.
it's fun to work on things and do maintenance,
but you have a warranty for problems like this.


I have contacted the dealer and he is going to check with CMW on the warranty. The dealer is a couple hours away, so it's not the easiest to just take it to them. I have to take it to them on another minor issue, so i am trying to coordinate it so both issues can be addressed at once.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Chris-G5 on March 29, 2011, 03:05:19 am
Hold on here, my Bullet developed an intense BUZZZZZZZOOOOOOMMMMM  :o when I was shifting up at high revs. I have looked eveywhere seriously and can't figure it out. I'll have to try this out and see!

Did you check by simply tapping your header pipe?

Would this require a whole new header to be installed in order to fix?

-Jake

While revving the engine you can use a piece of tubing to listen for the rattle. Place the tube on the head pipe just after the lower bend. Or as I did in the end to confirm it, I took off heat shield and muffler just leaving the head pipe. You can then just bang on the head pipe while the engine is off to hear the rattle. I believe jjoe256 meant they replaced the head pipe all together.

P.S.
By the way the engine sounds pretty good with just the head pipe, not as loud as I thought it would be. I actually took it for a ride to town and back and rode past a cop taking radar. Just went easy on the throttle as I went past him.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Chris-G5 on March 29, 2011, 10:26:06 pm
Found out today the head pipe will be covered under warranty. Unfortunately CMW doesn't have any and has to get them shipped in from RE India.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: r80rt on March 29, 2011, 10:49:18 pm
Glad to know they are going to take care of you.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Sub on April 12, 2011, 11:18:12 pm
Is it hitting the brake lever? Mine did. There is  a set screw for the brake lever. Guess not..

On a side note, I also I had a nasty rattle coming from the front and it turned out to be the forward bolt that holds on the tank. It was loose!! I used some rubber up under the tank while I was at it and its been silent.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: jjoe256 on April 13, 2011, 01:36:56 am
Found out today the head pipe will be covered under warranty. Unfortunately CMW doesn't have any and has to get them shipped in from RE India.

Don't hold your breath.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: GreenMachine on April 13, 2011, 01:48:33 am
isn't it the catalytic converter in there that has a spot weld broken...if so can't they just redo the spot weld...
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: jjoe256 on April 13, 2011, 02:16:02 am
isn't it the catalytic converter in there that has a spot weld broken...if so can't they just redo the spot weld...

If it's like mine, its the headpipe in the vertical section.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Chris-G5 on April 13, 2011, 02:19:51 am
Don't hold your breath.
Yeah, I'm still waiting. I hope I don't have to wait 5 months like you did for your replacement head pipe!!!
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: GreenMachine on April 13, 2011, 04:20:48 pm
i have to go out and look at my oem header pipe that been layed up for 4 years..i thought when i replaced it, their was what look like a small internal cat in there that the brit header pipe didn;t have..the brit style pipe was just a open pipe with better chrome and no PAV connection...I'm probably wrong but I'll take a lookie later..
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Chris-G5 on April 21, 2011, 07:37:44 pm
Got my replacement head pipe today. The new pipe has a heat sink at the head which the original did not have. The chrome is not quite as good as the original. It's more like the wheels but a little shinier. At least I don't have that annoying loud rattle anymore.

Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: r80rt on April 21, 2011, 08:23:19 pm
Looks good, glad you got it taken care of.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: singhg5 on April 21, 2011, 09:48:11 pm
Got my replacement head pipe today. The new pipe has a heat sink at the head which the original did not have. The chrome is not quite as good as the original. It's more like the wheels but a little shinier. At least I don't have that annoying loud rattle anymore.

It looks quite good and so does your bike ! 

Your front tyre looks different from what I have on my G5.  What is the front tyre ?  Any special reason for changing ? 
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Chris-G5 on April 21, 2011, 10:08:28 pm
It looks quite good and so does your bike !  

Your front tyre looks different from what I have on my G5.  What is the front tyre ?  Any special reason for changing ?  
Thanks

I just recently replaced my original tires with a set of 3.50 x 19 Dunlop K70s. I wanted to try a tire that has better grip on loose surfaces (gravel roads) and had a more round profile on the rear. These K70s definitely make the bike handle better, more nimble. Unfortunately I hear they don't last that long, wear fast, as they are made of a softer rubber for better grip. I'll see how many miles I get out of them.
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: jjoe256 on April 21, 2011, 11:17:44 pm
Damn, my boat must have come in! You got that quick! What's your mpg with that exhaust? Looks good. I have a similar one but not as long.
   
Title: Re: Head pipe rattling loud
Post by: Chris-G5 on April 22, 2011, 12:07:21 am
Damn, my boat must have come in! You got that quick! What's your mpg with that exhaust? Looks good. I have a similar one but not as long.
   
I haven't checked my MPG lately. Last time I checked, I had this silencer on, it was around 75 MPG. I'll have to check now that I have the 18 tooth.

It's this inexpensive silencer from Bulletwala (India)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHROME-ROYAL-ENFIELD-500cc-ELECTRA-SILENCER-ASSLY-NEW-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem20b893b90fQQitemZ140535642383QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories