metal to metal banging from rear of bike

[redvtx1800r]

i just bought a 2005 VTX 1800r 200 miles on bike. I love the bike BUT I am getting a metal to metal banging that sounds like it is coming from the middle to right rear of bike. It is driving me nuts. Has anyone had this problem and do u know how to correct it. Please please email me @ redvtx1800r@aol.com

[Wyandotte Kid]

Sounds like you have something lose. Check the shock mounts first. If not obvious I would call the dealer and have them come get it. Don't think I would ride tell its fixed.

[VTXR]

The last time I heard a noise like that,it was a broken u-joint,,but with your mileage,I highly doubt that.Check for the obviously loose things first,and if nothing is found,I would do what Wyandotte Kid says,call the dealer.

[Bossmant]

I think that I have heard the same thing. I bought a new 2003 VTX 1800 last year and noticed that sound shortly thereafter. I looked around and could find nothing loose. I figured that it was either the muffler or sidestand making the noise , although I really havent a clue:) However, it is now rare that I hear it any more with 1200 miles on it. I would still check for something loose....but you may be like me and find no problem. Good luck with the bike, it is quite awsome isnt it?

[WoodBrother]

My 03 18C had the same issue. I was told to check the universal joint, nope wasn't it, checked the shock mounts, nope wasn't it. Ended up the battery box was loose. In fact while you are searching, be sure tighten everything down and I mean everything. Honda has a way of not getting all the nuts and bolts snuged. If you have never done this you will probably be surprised how easy everything turns.

[Retro Rocket]

I'm not sure how loud a noise you are talking about but I kept hearing a clunking sound on my bike for quiet a long time. I kept trying to figure out where it was coming from but it was hard to pinpoint. Then I noticed several semi scratches on my side cover. It was the keychain Honda sends you when you buy the bike swinging up and clunking against the side cover. I removed the keychain and the clunking went away. So if you have such a keychain I suggest you remove it and take it for a ride and see if the noise goes away. I felt so stupid when I found out what the noise was. Here I was thinking it was something in the front end or a bad shock LOL.

[Wyandotte Kid]

That's wild man. Isn't frustrating when you over think a problem and the solution turns out so simple. Glad it's never happened to me(more than a hundred times).

[ROSHOLT1]

That reminds me of something that happened to me in 1982 while on a trip to Yellowstone NP I was riding in the mountains and every time I would accelerate over 50 I would get this god aweful noise out of the clutch area.
So I nursed it down to a dealer in Jackson Hole and his mechanics tore it apart and could not find a thing wrong, they put it back together and still the same noise. All the time there is is this old guy there cleaning up the shop he comes over and puts a big old screwdriver handle to his ear and the other to the area where the noise is coming from and says the guard on your exaust pipe is loose, called us a bunch of young dummys and went back to work. Ever since then I always to find the more "experienced " guy in the shop.

[villagestreetkid]

The big plastic headlight has a tendency to rattle at times. Make sure this isn't the problem.

[H20 Man]

Is there a remedy for the headlight rattle? Thanks.

[Big-X]

Is there a remedy for the headlight rattle? Thanks.

Sure, check here: http://bareasschoppers.com/headlightrattle/

[TerrySc]

Headlamp rattling fix. Remove the two screws and separate the front from the main housing and place some double sided tape or some type of cushioning on the clip at the bottom. I also placed some insulation inside the housing to keep the wiring from rattling.

Oops, just noticed Big-X beat me to it.

[NC Hammer]

H20 Man,
Usually, it's the wires inside the headlight vibrating. It sounds like a bee hive in there. PS: this is common to both 1300s and 1800 so pardon me for butting in on the 1800 page. I took off the trim ring (2 phillips screws), pulled out the headlight and stuffed in some foam rubber that came with my windshield, put it back together and that solved the problem. After that I could hear the valves chattering alot better. LOL

[Retro Rocket]

Is there a remedy for the headlight rattle? Thanks.
There are many ways to fix the headlight rattle. Easiest way it to just open the headlight and wrap the wires with some kind of sound deading material. I used the stuff you use to insulate water pipes. Use some tie wraps to tie the wiring down and your done.