I was riding home from work today. I was in heavy traffic which is normal on a weekend when the Saints play at home. I was cruising at about 20mph and hit a spot in a overpass where a section of the expansion joint was missing. I saw it, but there was nothing I could do with people on each side of me. I pulled up on the handlebars as I hit it trying to cusion the hit, but it was still hard. About a hundred yards past it, I noticed a noise in the the moter like a high pitched tick. It increased or decreased in speed along with the bike. Also when I came to a stop, it wound down to a stop after I had the bike at a full stop. Any suggestions on what it could be or what I can check. The bike has a bit over 13K on it.

What ... a bump ... K a huge bump caused a noise in the motor.
I dunno maybe it moved the rear wheel and chain noise ... or front end ... sorry man every time you open the throttle the motor sees more jerking and swinging than 100 of those bumps.
I'd guess running gear ... wheel, suspension, brakes ...
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: whttnbrg on November 19, 2010, 05:41:42 PM
I was riding home from work today. I was in heavy traffic which is normal on a weekend when the Saints play at home. I was cruising at about 20mph and hit a spot in a overpass where a section of the expansion joint was missing. I saw it, but there was nothing I could do with people on each side of me. I pulled up on the handlebars as I hit it trying to cusion the hit, but it was still hard. About a hundred yards past it, I noticed a noise in the the moter like a high pitched tick. It increased or decreased in speed along with the bike. Also when I came to a stop, it wound down to a stop after I had the bike at a full stop. Any suggestions on what it could be or what I can check. The bike has a bit over 13K on it.

The fact that the noise spun down after you came to a halt does indicate it's something to do with the engine - something is spinning free which could only be in the engine. If it's a ticking sound I would guess it's something to do with the overhead cam/valve gear.  Maybe the jolt moved the cam shaft slightly (they do have quite a large endfloat (gap) apparently). Maybe the jolt somehow affected the cam chain tensioner - loosening it somehow - which would make the cam chain slack and maybe noisier in operation. It could be so many things that I reckon your best bet is to take it to a good bike mechanic to investigate.

Bassman

Quote from: bassman on November 20, 2010, 03:58:43 AM

Quote from: whttnbrg on November 19, 2010, 05:41:42 PM
I was riding home from work today. I was in heavy traffic which is normal on a weekend when the Saints play at home. I was cruising at about 20mph and hit a spot in a overpass where a section of the expansion joint was missing. I saw it, but there was nothing I could do with people on each side of me. I pulled up on the handlebars as I hit it trying to cusion the hit, but it was still hard. About a hundred yards past it, I noticed a noise in the the moter like a high pitched tick. It increased or decreased in speed along with the bike. Also when I came to a stop, it wound down to a stop after I had the bike at a full stop. Any suggestions on what it could be or what I can check. The bike has a bit over 13K on it.

The fact that the noise spun down after you came to a halt does indicate it's something to do with the engine - something is spinning free which could only be in the engine. If it's a ticking sound I would guess it's something to do with the overhead cam/valve gear.  Maybe the jolt moved the cam shaft slightly (they do have quite a large endfloat (gap) apparently). Maybe the jolt somehow affected the cam chain tensioner - loosening it somehow - which would make the cam chain slack and maybe noisier in operation. It could be so many things that I reckon your best bet is to take it to a good bike mechanic to investigate.

Bassman

nah, it's the wheel bearings, or the rear alignment. maybe an exhaust bracket shifted some. the engine would run fine if you dropped the bike 12 feet off a roof, provided the gas still flowed. it's a violent place inside the case... look for a loose bracket or damaged wheel/disc/bearing.

chain alignment = shooosh shooosh that increases with speed
wheel bearing = anything from taink taink to screeech screech increases with speed
disk = all kinds o sounds. anything from verrrrrrrrrrrrrrr to bonk bonk bonk
bad wheel with a tire about to kill you by popping off = can squeak too, until it kills you

could have damaged the fork sliders too, but i doubt it. they'll take a hit too.

maybe part of the bridge is lodged somewhere ? it coulda happened

There was a expansion joint missing in the road. I hit a gap in the highway that was almost 8 inches across. If the wheel had turned even a little bit, I would have flipped the bike. I checked all the bolts today. I changed the oil in the bike also. After changing the oil, the noise was a little less noticable. I rode it to the shop, they said it sounds normal for a bike that age...... Maybe I am hearing things.

Quote from: whttnbrg on November 19, 2010, 05:41:42 PM
I was cruising at about 20mph and hit a spot in a overpass where a section of the expansion joint was missing. I saw it, but there was nothing I could do with people on each side of me. I pulled up on the handlebars as I hit it trying to cusion the hit, but it was still hard.

Next time, instead of trying to lift the thing you're standing on, give a burst on the throttle. It won't lift the front wheel off the ground and the back will still hit, but it will reduce the weight on the front wheel and allow the front to bounce up easier.

Alternately, bounce your weight Down just before you hit. This will force the suspension to bounce you up. While you're up your weight is not down and it should cushion the effect somewhat.

Third option... stand on the pegs with legs bent. Your legs become the shocks (just like you used to do on a bicycle going over bumps). Again, this momentarily reduces the weight on the suspension and the bike has less weight to bounce back and the impact is lessened.

Michael

Quote from: whttnbrg on November 20, 2010, 02:47:12 PM
There was a expansion joint missing in the road. I hit a gap in the highway that was almost 8 inches across. If the wheel had turned even a little bit, I would have flipped the bike. I checked all the bolts today. I changed the oil in the bike also. After changing the oil, the noise was a little less noticable. I rode it to the shop, they said it sounds normal for a bike that age...... Maybe I am hearing things.

you're hearing the cam float i'll bet. or the valves. if it's engine- centric, speeds up with revving, i'll bet on the valve train. good thing is it's only a gs if you bust it, and not a body (the bit about the bridge not killing you).. so that's pretty cool.

Please don't take this as an insult but after being a mechanic for many years I have found that people are hypersensitive after they hit something and take notice of noises/characteristics in their vehicle that were always there.

-Jessie