Looking for a definitive answer...

[zl900_moab]

The ZL900 'Doghouse' rattle:help:....Mine JUST started doing this 2 days ago, does anyone have the definitive answer to this particular problem....It's loud as h-e-double hockeysticks and like I said started 2 days ago, and had never :no-no-no: done it previously.....SOMEONE out there in the ElimiNation has to know the cure!:hello2:

Thanks in advance!

Oh......And to anyone that ever posted on this and I blew you off, I apologize most humbly, I have had my ZL make funny noises before, but it was in the headlight, so if I didn't believe or sympathize PLEASE FORGIVE ME!:notworthy:

moab...

[justin jackson]

Does it vibrate at higher rpms ? -like when you get on it a little or maybe downshift? Mine did that also - When I bought I didn't know why there was a little piece of rubber where the hingescome down on the tank itself. Last summer when I had the carbs went throught and the tank creamed they threw it away and geeezzzzz- what a freakin' racket. It took me a few minutes to realize what it was, but when I pushed down on the dog house it went away. I have never dealt with it yet, but I was going to put a nice square piece of rubber down to deal with it. I will find a more permanent solution later.

[prfixer]

One way to get rid of it is to put a small rag under the doghouse so that when you close the lid, the rag is keeping some "up" pressure on the lid. A hokey workaround I know, but it works.

[wuputt]

Moab, just put everything back as it was and your rattle will go away!

Ps: dibs on the Holeshots!

[Wstar425]

I had this problem with mine when I got it, and yes this has been discussed in depth here before.

I ended up cutting a 1" piece of foam pipe insulation, like a little donut and putting that just behind the fill hole, so that it goes around the vent. I used a rag at first but that seemed to plug the vent, though we did have other issues with that at the same time. Anyway, just don't cover the vent hole. Not my idea, got it here from someone else. When you open the cover you just have to make sure it doesn't blow away. It does smash down over time but you buy the stuff in 3 foot lengths so that is enough for about 40 years.

Ironically, after I got that to stop, then I could hear the headlight shell vibration from the little light plate.

[zl900_moab]

You know....I fixed the headlight shell issue, but this is new and as previously stated it is LOUD...

It's louder than 2 skeletons having carnal relations on a tin roof in a hail storm!

(Gotta watch my language)

I will try the foam pipe insulation trick....Hopefully that will cure it, but it does surprise me that noone has tore into this assembly and found out what makes it tick...Or rattle as it were.

Thanks for the responses!

moab...

[texas-ss-tornado]

One way to get rid of it is to put a small rag under the doghouse so that when you close the lid, the rag is keeping some "up" pressure on the lid. A hokey workaround I know, but it works.

This is how mine came when I got it, I figured the rag was in there for gas spillage, so I took it out! Big Mistake! As soon as I rode it the first time without the rag, I realized what it was there for. Put it back in there, silent as a mouse. That rag also comes in handy when pouring gas, I've used it for spillage a few times!!!!!

[edd]

I had a rattle too
and changed the mountig rubbers.
or what was left, :laughing7:

and the metal pieces (dunnowhattheyrecalled)
ordered at CMSNL

it helped alot but there is stil some noise
gonna try a piece of tube insolation too,
seems a good plan.

Later Edd,

[zlMark]

Haven't had this issue but i'm sure i'm jinxing myself here.

Question: Does the offending caps spring back when turned?

[sr903]

I used adhesive backed weather stripping stuck onto bracket between filler opening and seat. After a year or so, it started making noise again, so I stacked a second layer of stripping on it. When I close the cap, I have to really push till I hear both latches snap in. It's quiet now. SR

[zl900_moab]

Haven't had this issue but i'm sure i'm jinxing myself here.

Question: Does the offending caps spring back when turned?

Yes, the cap springs back by itself...

moab...

[jmac]

I had a rattle too
and changed the mountig rubbers.
or what was left, :laughing7:

and the metal pieces (dunnowhattheyrecalled)
ordered at CMSNL

it helped alot but there is stil some noise
gonna try a piece of tube insolation too,
seems a good plan.

Later Edd,


You might be on to something there.Mine did it at certian rpm's(but not to bad)Now after the repaint,not a sound.I did replace all the tank monts.I also replaced 3 nylon washers,that go between the chrome gas cap,and the lid.2 of those were split.There just isn't much else in there to rattle.

[Blagadán]

Did you get that rattle fixed Moab? I took my filler cap assembly apart a few weeks ago trying to silence the slightly rattly cap problem but I only made things worse. It appears to be the chrome gas cap that rattles to hell on mine. My return spring is hooked up right but doesnt seem to have the gumption to pull the gas cap back to lock position without a little assistance... Even though I followed the tech doc on here in stripping, cleaning and reassembling the locking mechanism, still no good. If I apply a little pressure to the gas cap, the rattling stops. I used to have a leather shoelace tied around under the filler cap which worked perfectly for years but that eventually rotted and has since been removed. Maybe I need to visit to the shoe maker in town...

Darn it if it isnt the most annoying sound going... between 2k and 3k RPM, it buzzes like a loud V1 "buzz bomb".

[zl900_moab]

I got it mostly fixed....Stuffed a rag under the doghouse and this stopped the majority of it, I do still get a faint buzz from the chrome cap itself, but it isn't heard too easily over the Holeshots...But it does stop if I put a hand on the cap, but I can live with it....I wonder if this is not a product of the rubber gasket that surrounds the cap itself wearing....I am not talking about the weatherstripping on the doghouse, but of the rubber by the cap that seals to the tank.
As I said, the rag got it to a tolerable point until I can tear into it...Prolly over the winter.
Thanks for checking up on me!
moab...