Funny sound at over 20mph

[Brixmis]

I'm very happy with my Fazer Thou, but one thing that's annoying me is a strange "nuts and bolts swirling in a bucket" type sound when I'm riding.

At very low speeds it disappears, but from around 20mph it starts and gets a bit louder as the speed increases. It seems pretty loud to me when there's no wind - though a windy day will drown out the noise.

I took it to a mate who is a very experienced professional and his first though echoed mine - wheel bearings. But he checked twice and they seem fine. It doesn't seem to be engine/box related either. I thought it may have been the airflow over the screen but it isn't. Nor airflow around the radiator protector.

We are really puzzled. I thought it may be the clutch, as it makes a similar, if quieter, sound when dropped into neautral at a standstill. My educated friend discounted that, though.

The bike is performing very well and I have zero complaints about anything else on it - the handling is fine and it certainly shows the requisite power on tap.

Suggestions gratefully received.

[bigbluebear]

Does it have an after market front sprocket as they don't come with the rubber attachment washer type thingy (the technical term) that cushions sound and vibrations etc....it could be that that your hearing

[nick crisp]

I recently had all the wheel bearings replaced on mine, except the big needle roller one in the back. There was no sign of untoward movement with the wheels in, would have passed an MOT. But with wheels out for tyre fitting, the guy I use found they were notchy, which he showed me. At 43k miles, and having had a rear bearing collapse on me on my previous bike, I had been bothering him about them for some time, so I'm glad he checked when he did.

You can get some very peculiar noises from the fairing infill panels if they're not damped properly. Try putting a hand firmly on each one in turn as you ride to see if the noise stops/changes.

Other than that, dry chain? Clean it, re-lube it?

Or yes, as BBB ^^ says, non-standard front sprocket has no damper and some folk claim noisier for that.


That's all I can think of, but others here are far more knowledgeable than me 

[unfazed]

Is the noise still there if you pull in the clutch at speeds over 20mph?

[Stupid Luke]

At what speed does the noise dissapear?

[Brixmis]

Thanks for the replies, guys - I'll get back to you 

Is the noise still there if you pull in the clutch at speeds over 20mph?

yes

[PaulSmith]

Ear plugs? 

[SteveCardiff]

Have you checked the chain tension? Too loose it'll be noisy, too tight and it'll damage the output shaft bearings, which will then get noisy. Does the noise change with engine speed or road speed?


Quiet road, select neutral at 30ish, hit the kill switch and have a good listen. Even better if you can find somewhere to do this without your helmet on.

[Brixmis]

The chain was too tight - I wouldn't have noticed, as it tightens up when I sit on it - but my learned friend spotted it when I went round to his place. Got it adjusted, but the sound didn't go away.

It definitely comes from the front half of the bike, hence all our theories covering that end. I've not had a chance to ride it again just yet (give me a break - I'm a blue badge rider) but will hopefully get out tomorrow to do some more testing.

I'm a bit hacked off, as the guy I bought it from advertised it as "well looked after" - but he was talking tosh, of course. I should have guessed, when he kept harping on about how honest he was!  :\  Yesterday I checked the TPs and they were down by over half a bar! So sorting that will quicken up the handling, no doubt.  :rolleyes

The filler collar on the tank was rusty as an old nail. The left mirror folded in as soon as I got into the wind.

I'm still fine, though, as it only cost me £1700. Just got to sort this noise, for peace of mind, if nothing else.

[nick crisp]

My money is still on the fairing infills. I've had a very similar sound to what you describe on mine, and turned out to be this. Some extra sticky foam pads around the edges cured it. The loose mirror pivot is typical of aftermarket mirrors - they're not very good quality. Makes me wonder if the bike has been dropped at some point, which would explain both things.

[Falcon 269]

Front sprocket suggestion a few posts back was a good one.  Did you check this yet?

What's the mileage on the bike?  Does it look like the original chain and sprockets?  Are they worn?

Also, do you ride with earplugs or not?  My Fazer makes all sorts of noises which I never normally notice with 'plugs in :lol

[unfazed]

My money is still on the fairing infills. I've had a very similar sound to what you describe on mine, and turned out to be this. Some extra sticky foam pads around the edges cured it. The loose mirror pivot is typical of aftermarket mirrors - they're not very good quality. Makes me wonder if the bike has been dropped at some point, which would explain both things.

:agree
If you have ruled out the chain and it is from the front and I did the same as Nick did as the vibration from the infills was driving me daft. You would not see it.
Other  probably cause from the front is a loose reflector in the headlight loose mirror in the holder as they are most likely aftermarket, wheel bearings and last but unlikely are some seized disc bobbins.

[Brixmis]

Thanks for your suggestions, chaps - it turned out to be the fairing panel inners (or infills if ya like).

Starts up about 25-30mph and tails off at the same. I'll probably just put up with it. I don't wear plugs with my current helmet, as it's very snug around the lugs and blocks most sounds anyway. It's only when I have the flip up or on a calm day that I can hear these things that bother me.

Now the 1/2 bar has been added to the tyres, it's transformed the handling.

You know, guys, I've been riding about 20 years now, and owned and ridden lots of bikes, but this is the only one I've wanted to hug! I thought my Tiger 900 was the bizz, but this really has it beaten. What a fantastic bit of kit it really is!

Chars all 

[AyJay]

You know, guys, I've been riding about 20 years now, and owned and ridden lots of bikes, but this is the only one I've wanted to hug! I thought my Tiger 900 was the bizz, but this really has it beaten. What a fantastic bit of kit it really is!

Chars all 

Another believer! Testify!


They really are quite something aren't they Brixmis? Every time I get back on mine after riding something else, I'm so happy...

[Falcon 269]

Simple fix, glad you found it.   Good call, Nick!

I've had my Thou since 2002 and I still can't think of another bike that could replace it as my ideal all-rounder.

[nick crisp]

Good call, Nick!

Try not to sound so surprised!  :lol

[Falcon 269]

Surprised, dear chap?

I was hoping for impressed