K1200lt Knocking

[NICKTURNER]

Can anybody help is it normal for a K1200LT to knock when on tick over, especially when the lights are on or when you have the brakes on. This happens when you are using power. I have taken the bike back to the dealers and they say this is normal and its the alternator. I have posted this for a second opinion because the bike is still under warranty. It is a 2001 model with 37.000 miles on the clock.... THANKS

[messenger13]

Yep, it's normal. The short version is: it is not actually the alternator but the gear on the end of the crankshaft that meshes with the gear that drives the alternator. These are matched at assembly time and some are louder than others. Mine LT's were noisy with the bike in neutral . . . with my aux light running. If I turn off my aux lights, and HID low-beam, it goes away completely. Short of a complete teardown of the engine and replacement of these gears there is nothing to "fix". And there is no mechanical problem; they are just noisy.