Strange noise

[jestercinti]

Ok. This started about 1000 miles ago. Not really getting worse, just curious to what it could be.

09 F model. 9400 miles. Noise comes from rear. A shoosh-shoosh noise that increases with speed but disappears at 30mph due to wind noise. I initially thought of chain, sprockets, or bearings.

Noise started out of no where. Not after maintenance, just started one day. When it rains, noise gets deeper but still there.

Original chain original sprockets original bearings. Greasing chain had no change to noise. No kinks in links of chain.  Thought it was speedo, but disconnected cable with no change.

Rear brake not rubbing. Wheel aligned.

EDIT:  applying rear brake does not change noise. I do not think it is the brake pad rubbing. I do think it is interesting that the noise gets a deeper tone in the rain. Got caught in a storm yesterday and noticed. This morning it was back to the same noise.

Thoughts?

[DoD#i]

Seems low mileage, but perhaps cush drive issues? That being the rubber bits between the part with the sprocket and the rest of the rear wheel...

[jestercinti]

I know it is some sort of shock absorber, but I fail to see the connection.  What exactly does the Cush drive do again?

[Dizzledan]

The cush rubbers fit between your sprocket and rear wheel to facilitate a bit of 'give' to save your sprockets/chain when under a heavy load (upshift/downshift).

Have you checked out all fairings, especially the inner fender?

Tire aligned properly?

Anything stuck in the treads?

[Kijona]

I know it is some sort of shock absorber, but I fail to see the connection.  What exactly does the Cush drive do again?

The cush drive absorbs some of the torque and initial spike of power between the motor and chain/sprocket assembly. It's a part of the rear wheel and consists of a number of horseshoe shaped rubber bumpers that has a corresponding 'cap' that slips inside them - looks similar to a fan blade.



Almost looks like a GS500 wheel, actually.

[craigs449]

The cush drive takes alot of pressure off the cs sprocket and the entire motor for that matter......It cushions the direct drive to the drive wheel......without it, quick starts and badly timed downshifts would wreak havoc on the transmission and Countershaft.....The cush "gives" a little when you stop and start, which creates less wear and tear on the motor.  Hopefully that explains that a bit.....

As for your issue, I still think there is a chain issue, gonna find a hard spot in the chain somewhere, not yet a kink, but wear creating this sound.......

[jestercinti]

Thanks for the info. I now know what the Cush drive does 

As for the noise, I may just live with it until it gets worse. My guess is the chain.

Yep, wheel aligned. I'm sure of it.

[adidasguy]

Sounds like chain with links locking up.
Check chain on center stand. Does the chain get tight and loose as you rotate the back wheel?
Can you hear the sound ifyou rotate the wheel? If so, put a marl on the chain. Does it happen every time that mark passes the same spot? If so, that's the chain.

Been there. Had it happen. Replaced chain. Suzi si now doing it a little and I always oil the chain. My guess is cleaning stuff like de-dreaser damages the o-rings.

[jestercinti]

The sound is coming from the rear.  Makes the noise when the rear wheel is rotating.  Above 30MPH the wind noise is louder than the sound.  It needs to be rotating about 3-5MPH to hear the sound.  I can hear it faintly on the center stand, but mostly hear it when I am riding.  Kind of makes sense since when I am riding, the chain is more stretched and under load.

I have not looked at the tight and loose spots of the chain in a long time.  This is probably due to me riding so much and somewhat neglecting the chain.  There were periods that I would go 1200-1500 miles without lubing the chain just due to long rides.  I'm also in a dusty area and salty area (in the winter...I ride year round).

Lesson learned.  Noise not getting louder or softer really, so I think I have a little while, but I will have to replace next year I imagine.

[adidasguy]

If wheel: sound is once every revolution.
If chain: sound is not timed with the wheel. If chain, sound is each revolution of the chain.

Since both wheels turn the same, when riding try to watch your front wheel. Maybe tape a scrunchy or something so you can see the revolutions. As you hear the sound, note if it is once per wheel rotation (rear wheel) or once every 1-1/5 or so rotations (chain).

[jestercinti]

Good point.  I'll have to try that.  What's a scrunchy?

EDIT:  I have sidewalk chalk that my son uses to color.  I can make a mark on the rear wheel, put on center stand, and test that way. 

[adidasguy]

Scrunchy: one of those little fluffy thingies in the shower of a fluffy thingy roundie type thingie used in ponytails. Basically any type of thingy you can stick to the wheel so you can see the revolutions.

[jestercinti]

So that's what those are.  I have short hair, and don't use one to clean with. But I have seen those in other people's bathrooms/bedrooms and didn't know what it was.

[BockinBboy]

Scrunchy: one of those little fluffy thingies in the shower of a fluffy thingy roundie type thingie used in ponytails. Basically any type of thingy you can stick to the wheel so you can see the revolutions.

So that's what those are.  I have short hair, and don't use one to clean with. But I have seen those in other people's bathrooms/bedrooms and didn't know what it was.

[applause]

To you both for the laughter this gave me.

- Bboy

[mister]

If you had watched the gymastics at the olympics you would have seen a plethora of scrunchies on show...





My money is on the chain. If you leave it the noise will get louder as ever more damage is being done to the sprockets.

I started hearing a Noise. Hard to describe. But like a constant meshing noise. Only in 6th gear. Thought it might have been a 6th gear pair. Further investigation revealed... worn front sprocket caused by some Stiff chain links. Changed both sprockets and got a new chain, changed lubes and haven't had a peep in 34,000kms 

Michael

[jestercinti]

Yeah...I think it is the chain  too. On the list to replace. Nearly 10k miles...that's 16k km. Its time.