"Squeaky" startup and headlight questions

[johnwraystewart]

2001 R1150RT, which I bought last summer. Two questions:

1 - When I start it up cold, there's a disturbing amount of "squeaking" coming from, I guess, the upper part of the engine. At first I thought it was plastic shifting around, but indeed once the bike warms up, it goes away, so I'm thinking this is more like metal-on-metal sounds. Is this oil just getting into the upper part of the engine, and is it normal? Seems very disturbing, but maybe it's just the way of this bike.

2 - I noticed last night that the bright headlight is kind of useless - hardly makes a difference having it on or off. It's visible, but it's not very effective. Is there a good drop-in replacement for the bright bulb that is more intense.

thanks!

 

[pglaves]

2001 R1150RT, which I bought last summer. Two questions:

1 - When I start it up cold, there's a disturbing amount of "squeaking" coming from, I guess, the upper part of the engine. At first I thought it was plastic shifting around, but indeed once the bike warms up, it goes away, so I'm thinking this is more like metal-on-metal sounds. Is this oil just getting into the upper part of the engine, and is it normal? Seems very disturbing, but maybe it's just the way of this bike.

2 - I noticed last night that the bright headlight is kind of useless - hardly makes a difference having it on or off. It's visible, but it's not very effective. Is there a good drop-in replacement for the bright bulb that is more intense.

thanks!

The squeaking is possibly coming from a too-loose alternator drive belt. You need to check the tension and/or replace the belt if it is worn.

 

[pauls1150]

Squeaking can be hard to trace - Do you have a friendly second person to stand off to each side and verify the source? A dirty gummed-up starter makes horrible squeaking noises at startup, but often goes away when hot.

Make sure that the Right bulb is installed for your high beam, and check how it's aimed.
Some people like the Cyclops replacements - https://www.cyclopsadventuresports.com/

 

[RadioFlyer]

Alternator belt as stated earlier.

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

 

[BC1100S]

2001 R1150RT, which I bought last summer. Two questions:

1 - When I start it up cold, there's a disturbing amount of "squeaking" coming from, I guess, the upper part of the engine. At first I thought it was plastic shifting around, but indeed once the bike warms up, it goes away, so I'm thinking this is more like metal-on-metal sounds. Is this oil just getting into the upper part of the engine, and is it normal? Seems very disturbing, but maybe it's just the way of this bike.

2 - I noticed last night that the bright headlight is kind of useless - hardly makes a difference having it on or off. It's visible, but it's not very effective. Is there a good drop-in replacement for the bright bulb that is more intense.

thanks!

1. Alternator belt.

2. LED replacement bulb.