Author Topic: Am I being paranoid? (Read 6630 times)

Skippernick · « **on:** 28 January 2013, 09:57:25 pm »

New rear tyre fitted last week and put the wheel back in all by myself, as far as I can tell its all gone in fine, no bits left chain slack is within tolerance etc.
Took it for a ride yesterday (90 mile) and there is a constant whirling/whine noise. Its not engine because it the same with clutch in etc. It correlates and changes with bike speed.
Can't remember if it was there before. Am i being paranoid or have i done something stupid?
Nick

richfzs · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 January 2013, 10:01:22 pm »

wheel aligned correctly? don't rely on the marking on the swing arm.

pads rubbing?

alexanderfitu · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 January 2013, 10:20:39 pm »

Mine has had this noise since I have had it (which is only about 400 miles or so). I keep thinking its the tread pattern doing it, but i wonder if its the wheel out of balane, I have tried coasting in neutral with the engine off to hear more of the noise, and it does sound likes its coming from teh chain.

Your desciription sounds exactly like the way I would describe it.

Skippernick · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 January 2013, 10:22:45 pm »

Ok, so how do you check wheel alignment if you cant use the markings. I tried double checking using a ruler and measuring to the swing arm but it seemed that the wheel was naturally nearer to the left side of the swing arm.

alexanderfitu · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 January 2013, 10:25:07 pm »

bolt center distance to end of swingarm, if one side is closer than the other its not aligned!

bigsteve · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 January 2013, 10:33:10 pm »

I use a tyre depth gauge to check wheel alignment

darrsi · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 January 2013, 10:34:22 pm »

If the wheel's misaligned it can cause a clunking sound as the chain tries to correct itself.
You sure the chain's not too tight?

Skippernick · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 January 2013, 10:39:51 pm »

Quote from: alexanderfitu on 28 January 2013, 10:25:07 pm

bolt center distance to end of swingarm, if one side is closer than the other its not aligned!

Sorry which bolt? the chain tension bolts?

Skippernick · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 January 2013, 10:40:47 pm »

Quote from: darrsi on 28 January 2013, 10:34:22 pm

If the wheel's misaligned it can cause a clunking sound as the chain tries to correct itself.
You sure the chain's not too tight?

Theres no clunking sound. chain has about 40mm no more play in it.

fatboy · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 January 2013, 11:05:16 pm »

Might be tyre noise

fatboy · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 January 2013, 11:08:51 pm »

Any noise when wheel is spun by hand,put on centre stand and run the wheel up to speed.listen for that noise.when i had new tyres fitted had same sort of noise.

reillypadraig · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 January 2013, 12:04:55 am »

I have the same issue, but then again I did use a digital gauge but measured to the markings and slack is fine and chain is lubed, so markings on Swingarm can be slightly off??

darrsi · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 January 2013, 01:08:27 am »

Generally speaking, the lines should be reasonably accurate, they're not there to mess with your head (or bike), but when the wheel's offset you should pretty well feel it being all wrong!
Heavy duty chains definitely cause a whirring noise, try lubing the chain and see if that makes a difference?
It's a difficult one to diagnose to be honest without us hearing it?

His Dudeness · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 January 2013, 03:23:17 am »

if in doubt i'd just take it off again and check everything including the wheel bearings and go from there. shouldn't take more than 20 minutes

red98 · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 January 2013, 06:54:50 am »

you can also check alingment using a straight length of timber or angle iron,rest it against both wheels the whole length of the bike and see if its touching both sides of both wheels......also take the chain guard off and look at the chain from the rear of the bike to see if its in-line with the sprocket

wezdavo · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 January 2013, 07:25:18 am »

I measure from the swingarm pivot bolt to the rear axle bolt to double check alignment..

Skippernick · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 January 2013, 07:43:37 am »

Ok guys thanks a lot, lots of ideas i shall try and report back to you. SOunds like other people have this noise so at least its not unheard of.

darrsi · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 January 2013, 09:22:16 am »

When i put a heavy duty chain on my bike when i first bought it the noise difference was very noticeable.
That noise, paired with the whiney gearbox was one of the main reasons i changed the end can to make it drown the sounds out.

packie · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 January 2013, 09:52:54 am »

Chains can make noise as people pointed out. Have you a quite pipe and drive with your visor open? You hear a lot of things going on while riding with the above conditions. I can hear the cams whirring around underneath me ect. If you have a fairly load pipe and can hear stuff above that noise, then it would be a great cause for concern alright.

alexanderfitu · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 January 2013, 10:17:31 am »

I can hear this over my pipe with the visor open, im pretty confident its the chain on mine as in engine off coasting it sounds very much chain like, I need to check the tension etc which I havent done yet.

darrsi · « **Reply #20 on:** 29 January 2013, 10:42:51 am »

Did you buy the same brand of tyre?

ade the blade · « **Reply #21 on:** 29 January 2013, 11:46:40 am »

Quote from: darrsi on 28 January 2013, 10:34:22 pm

If the wheel's misaligned it can cause a clunking sound as the chain tries to correct itself.
You sure the chain's not too tight?

+1.............was the chain adjusted on the centre stand ?

packie · « **Reply #22 on:** 29 January 2013, 11:52:19 am »

Quote from: alexanderfitu on 29 January 2013, 10:17:31 am

I can hear this over my pipe with the visor open, im pretty confident its the chain on mine as in engine off coasting it sounds very much chain like, I need to check the tension etc which I havent done yet.

Ya...after adjusting and measuring the chain slack, I make a habit of checking it again after tightening up Axel. Someimes the slack can go out again with less slack.

Also, have you torqued the axle nut? I torque every bolt. If your nut is not torque up correctly with enuff pressure, the wheel and sprocket could possibly be not over fully to the drive side. Even an extra twist or two could maybe leave you out by a few milimetres which would make the chain running at a slight angle between the both sprockets and not running or seating properly around the sprockets.

Skippernick · « **Reply #23 on:** 29 January 2013, 01:22:16 pm »

Ah chain was checked when on the centre stand!
Everything was torqued up to the correct torque.

Just checked the manuel and it should be checked on the centre stand.

I do have a loud zorst, it has been off for a month or so, so i would of thought i would of picked up on it. But is that me being paranoid. I also where ear plugs!

Same tyre bridgestone bt23.

I'm going to double check everything again tonight.

Skippernick · « **Reply #24 on:** 29 January 2013, 09:23:54 pm »

Well just double checked everything, the alignment was fine, but the chain tension may of been tight.
So i have readjusted it. Haynes manual says check slack when on the side stand, owners manual when on the centre stand. Gone down the haynes route this time, will try again over the week end.
Nick