Have now had my R12S for a year (now 36k kms) and have always had a momentary startup rattle from the engine that lasts approx 1-2 seconds, cold or hot. After much research here and Pelican forum, I replaced the LHS cam-chain tensioner in case mine was faulty or not the latest version. Turned out it was identical to the one installed, was the later version and made no difference (unlike my other oilhead R12C, which had the same characteristic and replacement made a dramatic difference as it had the old style CCT).
Are other R12S owners experiencing the same and has anybody got to the bottom of this and found a fix?
R1200S Startup Rattle
Moderators: slparry, Gromit, Paul
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- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 3:33 am
- Location: Brisbane, Australia
R1200S Startup Rattle
2006 R1200S (Magma-Red/titan-silver) - Michelin PR4s, Akrapovic slip-on silencer, Ohlin suspension, Ilmberger Carbon hugger & Carbon valve-covers, Corbin seat.
2010 R1200R
2004 R1200C Montauk
2010 R1200R
2004 R1200C Montauk
Re: R1200S Startup Rattle
mine does the same but i was hoping the very latest tensioner would solve it - keep us posted when youve discovered the answer!
- Droptarotter
- Posts: 364
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:02 pm
- Location: Cloverdale, BC, Canada
Re: R1200S Startup Rattle
Mine does the same, and so does my HP2, especially after they have been sitting over the winter.
I don't really worry about it.
Cheers
I don't really worry about it.
Cheers
Re: R1200S Startup Rattle
Ditto my R1100RS, and a couple of other oil heads I've owned in the past.Droptarotter wrote:Mine does the same, and so does my HP2,Cheers
Nothing to worry about.
Apparently the S1000RR does it tool
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- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 3:33 am
- Location: Brisbane, Australia
Re: R1200S Startup Rattle
My R1200C (ie. Oilhead) was the same but a change to the later CCT on the LHS was transformational. At a loss why the R1200S has to sound like a can of nuts & bolts being shaken on startup, with the same CCT. Shame such a beautiful bike sounds like shite on startup compared to my other R12's 

2006 R1200S (Magma-Red/titan-silver) - Michelin PR4s, Akrapovic slip-on silencer, Ohlin suspension, Ilmberger Carbon hugger & Carbon valve-covers, Corbin seat.
2010 R1200R
2004 R1200C Montauk
2010 R1200R
2004 R1200C Montauk
Re: R1200S Startup Rattle
Same as this. Although I don't have an HP2 to compareDroptarotter wrote:Mine does the same, and so does my HP2, especially after they have been sitting over the winter.
I don't really worry about it.
Cheers

It still makes me flinch every time though.
R1200GS TC. Triple Black
R1200S. It’s gone. Had it 11yrs. My favourite bike in 42yrs riding.
Holdsworth professional
Motobecane C3
Brompton
R1200S. It’s gone. Had it 11yrs. My favourite bike in 42yrs riding.
Holdsworth professional
Motobecane C3
Brompton
Re: R1200S Startup Rattle
There's an improved cam chain tensioner that stops it.
It's just the L/H one that's the culprit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu1-PdWoC6s
It's just the L/H one that's the culprit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu1-PdWoC6s
Re: R1200S Startup Rattle
I'm fairly sure that applies to the R11xx models and that the R12 models got the improved tensioner. I fitted one to my 1150GS but have never bothered with the BCRfontana wrote:There's an improved cam chain tensioner that stops it.
It's just the L/H one that's the culprit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu1-PdWoC6s
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Steve Parry
Current fleet: '14 F800GS, '87 R80RS, '03 R1100S BoxerCup, '15 R1200RT LE Dynamic, '90 K1, '05 K1200S
Steve Parry
Current fleet: '14 F800GS, '87 R80RS, '03 R1100S BoxerCup, '15 R1200RT LE Dynamic, '90 K1, '05 K1200S
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- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2015 3:33 am
- Location: Brisbane, Australia
Re: R1200S Startup Rattle
Yep been down this road, see original post above. My R12S had the upgraded CCT in the LHS and even with a new replacement the startup chatter remains the same.
2006 R1200S (Magma-Red/titan-silver) - Michelin PR4s, Akrapovic slip-on silencer, Ohlin suspension, Ilmberger Carbon hugger & Carbon valve-covers, Corbin seat.
2010 R1200R
2004 R1200C Montauk
2010 R1200R
2004 R1200C Montauk