help! noise??????
Discussion
ok, new to bikes above 125, but trained mechanic (cars/trucks) got myself a zzr600 and when I rode it home I thought it sounded like it needed front wheel bearings, check it out on the stand and nope they are good. the noise starts around 45mph, doesn't matter what gear you are in, doesn't change with acceleration/deceleration, thinking gearbox bearings but strangely noticed that a smooth bit of road surface can sometimes quieten the noise???? noise sounds kinda like a large chunk of plastic dragging along the road, did wonder if it was wind through the fairing/bodywork etc. no other gearbox issues (surprisingly for an old Kawasaki)
any ideas? would like to be at least half sure that it is a particular part before I rip it to bits. if it is gearbox bearing surely it would change when going from + to - throttle? no clunks? slight gearbox whine but not excessive.
any thoughts would be good, it is a 1990 but shows only 28K miles, and when I did the oil change recently there was no signs of metal in the oil.
please tell me it's just wind through the fairing and that they all did it cos I really can't afford a big overhaul.
cheers
any ideas? would like to be at least half sure that it is a particular part before I rip it to bits. if it is gearbox bearing surely it would change when going from + to - throttle? no clunks? slight gearbox whine but not excessive.
any thoughts would be good, it is a 1990 but shows only 28K miles, and when I did the oil change recently there was no signs of metal in the oil.
please tell me it's just wind through the fairing and that they all did it cos I really can't afford a big overhaul.
cheers
chain not that old, did have it on the stand running in gear, got it up to 4k revs in top and couldn't really hear any noise but was a bit dodgy so couldn't run it long like that. might try to clamp it down or use some straps to make it secure and try again. didn't want it launching itself up the workshop lol
Hang on - you have a noise which starts at a given speed but DOESN'T change if you speed-up/slow down!?!?
That's actually a bit impossible but I'm going to go for tyre noise because that makes the most sense from your description (and covers why you won't hear it on the stand too).
It's weird how much noise some tyres will make over others on different road surfaces. In cars (or with skidlids and earplugs in) we really don't notice it but there's a BIG difference. Even tyre pressure can make a difference - drop/raise your front/rear tyre pressure for a test run - if the sound changes, it's the tyre(s).
That's actually a bit impossible but I'm going to go for tyre noise because that makes the most sense from your description (and covers why you won't hear it on the stand too).
It's weird how much noise some tyres will make over others on different road surfaces. In cars (or with skidlids and earplugs in) we really don't notice it but there's a BIG difference. Even tyre pressure can make a difference - drop/raise your front/rear tyre pressure for a test run - if the sound changes, it's the tyre(s).
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
Pothole said:
Any loose bodywork? You're clearly not wearing earplugs while riding. Ignorance is bliss!
My bike sounds shocking without earplugs...it's like riding with a load of spanners rattling around in the petrol tank
it gets worse with speed but doesn't change when you open or close the throttle, on a car with gearbox probs you normally get noise when either accelerating or decelerating IE + or - throttle mine doesn't change?
much louder/courser than a key fob rattling.
it's an old bike so I guess the body work ain't perfect but nothing too bad so don't think it's causing the problems unless it's the noise of wind going through it.
tyre noise, don't think it's this, the change noticed on very smooth surface is only the very odd very smooth bits (not many of them on our roads)no change noticed on other road surface changes.
does sound like a very very rough bearing noise.
I guess I could see if there is any up/down play at the front sprocket but that will only test one bearing.
really hoped someone would say "I had a zzr and it was noisy", don't think ear plugs would be a good cure if it is gearbox bearings
much louder/courser than a key fob rattling.
it's an old bike so I guess the body work ain't perfect but nothing too bad so don't think it's causing the problems unless it's the noise of wind going through it.
tyre noise, don't think it's this, the change noticed on very smooth surface is only the very odd very smooth bits (not many of them on our roads)no change noticed on other road surface changes.
does sound like a very very rough bearing noise.
I guess I could see if there is any up/down play at the front sprocket but that will only test one bearing.
really hoped someone would say "I had a zzr and it was noisy", don't think ear plugs would be a good cure if it is gearbox bearings
pmsl.
flies well and truly done up, lol
chain not too old and well adjusted/lubed
as soon as it stops raining I'll whip it up the workshop and see if I can lash it down and try a high speed run on the main stand, will either hear the noise and possibly locate where it's coming from or make a large hole in the far wall and then not need to worry about the noise as bike will be trashed anyway.
flies well and truly done up, lol
chain not too old and well adjusted/lubed
as soon as it stops raining I'll whip it up the workshop and see if I can lash it down and try a high speed run on the main stand, will either hear the noise and possibly locate where it's coming from or make a large hole in the far wall and then not need to worry about the noise as bike will be trashed anyway.
byt said:
pmsl.
as soon as it stops raining I'll whip it up the workshop and see if I can lash it down and try a high speed run on the main stand, will either hear the noise and possibly locate where it's coming from or make a large hole in the far wall and then not need to worry about the noise as bike will be trashed anyway.
as soon as it stops raining I'll whip it up the workshop and see if I can lash it down and try a high speed run on the main stand, will either hear the noise and possibly locate where it's coming from or make a large hole in the far wall and then not need to worry about the noise as bike will be trashed anyway.
good news, I didn't manage to launch it off the stand and throught the workhop wall, bad news, I still don't know what the bloody noise is. I had the front sprocket cover off and checked for any play, none up/down or in/out. 5k revs in top gear on the main stand and all ya can hear is exhaust and chain noise, nothing I wouldn't expect and nothing like the noise I'm trying to find. did a bit more riding around listening hard and it actually starts making the noise at just over 30mph in whatever gear, took it up to 60 and coasted, the noise could be heard down to around 20mph, it starts fairly quiet but by 50mph it's at full volume, doesn't get any louder even upto 80+mph, had a good bash around all the plastics and there are some that rattle a little when tapped but nothing that is actually loose. don't think the noise was as bad when it was cold first thing so wondering if cold oil is thicker thus it is bearing or cold plastic is less flexible so could be them when warmed. begining to hate the bloody noise now, I like the bike but seriously don't trust it and I want to do a good few long runs this coming summer so need to get it trustworthy or replaced, ain't really got the money to do to much.
rev-erend said:
Could be wheel bearing .. it would not make a sound when run of the stand but get on it and the rumble of those bearing will make themselves felt and heard.
my first though was front wheel bearing but they feel fine and smooth but I might change them just to be sure, will prolly end up doing both wheels.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff