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Excessive Rattling

Reguam

Reguam

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Joined
Jan 4, 2025
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So far this bike has exceeded my expectations, more so after fixing some comfort issues. However, one thing I have noticed from day one is excessive rattling which comes from the front end. I would swear the windshield was loose, but everything seems locked down tight. My bike just had the 600mi Service so I had the tech give his opinion and after the test ride he said everything was okay. It does not happen on smooth roads but on anything less than smooth it becomes very non-BMW-like with that rattling. The biggest example is going over a speed bump.

Is this just what these scooters do, and if not does anyone have a lead to investigate? The 2025 does have a different windshield design so not many aftermarket windshields out there, except for CalSci which I did not like, nor did I enjoy dealing with them. Even still it does not seem like the windshield.

* Looking at history for this concern.
 
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I too had an annoying rattle on my 2023 C400GT and I too thought it was coming from the front end. Eventually I worked out that the noise was my Givi top box rattling on the Givi plate that I had bolted to the BMW rear rack. The noise went away when I stuck a few layers of dense foam flooring as a cushion to the underside of the top box to provide a force to close the gap between top box and mounting plate. My C400GT is now rattle-free. I wish that I could say the same about my CE 04 which rattles like a bag of spanners (wrenches).
 
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I have a rattle on my K1600 coming from the front. Turns out some small rodent used the bike's faring to store his or her winter supply of small berries! So far I managed to extract about 30 of them but more are rattling around in the nooks and crannies. They only rattle when I raise the (electrically adjustable) windscreen.
 
I have had another thought about the source of your C400GT's noise. The rattling could be a slack brake pad spring clip although a competent mechanic should have spotted that. I had this issue when I took delivery of the aforementioned CE 04 but the BMW mechanic at the dealers fobbed me off by saying it was normal noise that would normally be masked by the sounds of an engine. It was so annoying that I fixed it myself at home by removing the brake pad retaining pin and spring clip and then bending the clip back into shape so it could do its job. It fixed the issue but I got the dealer to put in a new clip anyway at a later date.
 
I think you got it the first time which was major-major helpful to me and greatly appreciated. First I when down and shook the case by hand and it did rattle. I had some rubber squares I could squeeze under the case in the the front and took it for a test yesterday evening. The rattling was greatly diminishes. I think I can do better when I take it off and place more rubber squares. Even If I have to live with some rattling it is less concerning when you know the reason is not your bike. And I need that case for touring. Just so weird how it clearly sounds like it is coming from the front. But when you know, you can start to tell it is coming from the back. Also surprising for a BMW stupid expensive case to rattle like that. Thanks you for your help.
 
I had a similar experiance. I too had a rattle that I thought was coming from the front but later realized it was coming from things rattleing in my Shade trunk on bumpy roads. (Maybe the Shade rattles as little as well. I have since lined the trunk and rearranged things so there is little rattle unless I hit large bumps. Good to hear you figured this out. I thought it was only me who heard things coming from the front, that actually were happening in the back. I wonder if the sound bounces off the windshield?
 
No, but I did test it with the windshield off and there was big improvement. I did slip some rubber under the top box to firm it up and provide some cushion. But getting the new windshield from California Scientific and trimming it down two inches made the most difference. Rattling is not a concern for me now but it was very close to a deal killer.
 
just came back from a rattle test drive w/out the box. it's definitely from the box. the streets i regularly ride on are bumpy and there was only a couple of light rattles w/ the windshield up, and none with it down. with the box on i hear a symphony of rattling.

where did you place the rubber pads?
 
I just shoved them under each corner with my thumb. I can send a picture of the type I used or link on Amazon. Just had them in the house. Sorry about the delay, just found the post.
 

VIKEMIA Furniture Pads, Anti Slip Rubber Pads Self Adhesive Furniture Grippers Non Slip Furniture Pads for Furniture Legs Anti Scratch Silicone Floor Protectors for Hardwood Floors,95 pcs (Black) - Amazon.com

VIKEMIA Furniture Pads, Anti Slip Rubber Pads Self Adhesive Furniture Grippers Non Slip Furniture Pads for Furniture Legs Anti Scratch Silicone Floor Protectors for Hardwood Floors,95 pcs (Black) - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com

The link will give you a picture. I use the small square ones. They have adhesive. I think I was able to get enough clearance to get it in while keeping the adhesive from grabbing, but maybe I loosened the box like I was going to take it off first.
 
Thanks for your updates. I have the exact same bike and top case that I just picked up last week. I even used your post at the dealership to help them install it. I have the same rattle when the windshield is in the high position and the top case is very loud. I'm almost positive that it is the hard plastic on plastic between the case and the plate because when my wife rides as a passenger and leans on the case the noise completely goes away. Without her on the back it is so loud it makes me want to remove it except when I need it. I'll try the Amazon link as well. Thanks!
 
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