2004 Fazer 1000 front end noise

[Graham]

I have a 2004 Fazer 1000, bought a year ago. I have a "road noise" emanating up through the front forks/fairing area. Not quite a whirring and not a rattle, but possibly a rotation related sound.
Everything checks out ok, wheel bearings, forks etc. I don't think it's brakes as its still there with a light finger full of brake lever. The Previous owner had looked after it very well and I continue to do the same, but have some concern about this noise (Admittedly I am quite paranoid about odd noises being an air cooled RD owner.) 
Does anyone else hear this noise on theirs.? It may be normal noise collecting and transmitting through the opening of the fairing/fork area (first bike I've owned with any sort of fairing). As I've mentioned before it goes well, brakes well and goes round corners well..
Thanks

[Gaz66]

I have a 2004 Fazer 1000, bought a year ago. I have a "road noise" emanating up through the front forks/fairing area. Not quite a whirring and not a rattle, but possibly a rotation related sound.
Everything checks out ok, wheel bearings, forks etc. I don't think it's brakes as its still there with a light finger full of brake lever. The Previous owner had looked after it very well and I continue to do the same, but have some concern about this noise (Admittedly I am quite paranoid about odd noises being an air cooled RD owner.) 
Does anyone else hear this noise on theirs.? It may be normal noise collecting and transmitting through the opening of the fairing/fork area (first bike I've owned with any sort of fairing). As I've mentioned before it goes well, brakes well and goes round corners well..
Thanks

..............................

Hi Graham.

Most likely tyre noise from what u describe.
Any odd wear visible?
What pressure are you running tyres at?
Could also be pad noise on the discs, some aftermarket pads make weird noises, Goldfren Ceramic to name one, make a ton of dust too.
Replacing wheel bearings is a cheap & simple job, they may feel smooth when spun, but under bikes weight & load, may well be noisey.
Fazer 1000's suffer from rattly brake pads, even with genuine pads, the machining clearances within the caliper where the pads sit are far too great & never get any better with hard riding & heat soak/expansion etc.
I could hear my pads clattering with plugs in & lid on & a loudish can with no decible killer, it used to drive me mad it was that loud, so I made up some custom stainless shims from 1mm stainless sheet, totally silent now.

[Graham]

Thanks gaz66.
I'm running standard tyre pressures, 36 and 39.
You have given me some ideas to look at. Thanks for the information. The sound I'm hearing does seam to alter on different road surfaces. I'll Starr with looking at the pads and wheel bearings.
?

[Graham]

Update...just checked the front end over again and found the pads rattling about in the calipers. No visible wear to the calipers, time to make a set of shims and go from there. ?

[NitramA]

If you have a search on the forum you'll see I asked what sounds like the very question some time ago. 
It too was driving me mad.
Despite looking at just about everything I came to the conclusion that its tyre noise. I seem to remember it disappeared for a while when I replaced the tyres, only to return some miles later.

Out of interest what tyres do you have? I've been using Metzeler Z6 (I think).

[unfazed]

Had the same issue, noise was driving me nuts especially with Pilot Road 4, sounded like discs rubbing or something vibrating very lightly. Noise used to change on some surfaces. I changed to Metzler Sportec M9RR no more noise. No noise and great feel and grip and now on my third set.  Spiirited riding will have you replacing them after 4000 miles touring 6000miles

[NitramA]

Update...just checked the front end over again and found the pads rattling about in the calipers. No visible wear to the calipers, time to make a set of shims and go from there. ?

Nooo… you've just started me off again!!,
Keep us updated if you do give it a go and make up some shims

[unfazed]

If it's a light knocking sound it could be pad knock from worn pins or worn fork bushes and rattling over rough ground could also be from worn pad pins