I can't figure out what the noise is, but when I'm riding in 6th there is a strange noise that sounds like it may be coming from the front axle area. It's a whirling/friction type of noise and only occurs in sixth gear and not when riding in any lower gears. The sound dissipates significantly at over 75 mph, but under that speed it's quite significant.
any thoughts at all would be much appreciated.
QuoteIt's a whirling/friction type of noise and only occurs in sixth gear and not when riding in any lower gears. The sound dissipates significantly at over 75 mph, but under that speed it's quite significant.
any thoughts at all would be much appreciated.
It is just a thought, but if you have stock sprockets, under 75 mph is probably too slow for 6th gear and the noise you're hearing may just be the "normal" chugging and lugging of the drive train when the gear is too low. This doesn't relate to the front axle at all, but noise sources are particularly hard to locate, especially with a helmet on.
Thanks........I appreciate the thoughts, and yes, it's quite difficult to figure out where exactly the noise is coming from with a full face helmet.
I'm not sure the noise would be the "normal chugging and lugging of the drive train" as it is more of high pitched whirling whine type noise...........hard on the ears actually. I've put a lot of miles on the bike (60 k) and this is a relatively new issue (last 1k) so I have to think I would have been aware of it before if it were a "normal" type noise.
thanks again for the input, any ideas are welcome.
Didn't realize you have 60k on it- excellent [thumbsup]
If the noise is coming from the front wheel, and it goes away after about 75mph in 6th gear, but isn't there at all in 5th gear, then something doesn't quite compute because the front wheel doesn't much know or care if you are in 5th or 6th gear.
If it's only in 6th at or below 70 mph or so and not in any other gear at the same speed, then it seems there is some evidence pointing to the gearbox. Hope not, but one check would be to drain the oil and send a sample of to one of those oil testing labs to see if it has excess bearing or gear wear material in it. Haven't done this myself for years so can't recommend a lab.
Finding the source of sounds while riding can be quite frustrating. I suggest spreading your legs so that your knees aren't deflecting some of the sounds that might be coming from right under you. When I had a bad chain I could have sworn that the sound was coming from the right sound of the bike but when I spread my knees I could hear it coming from the chain plain as day.