Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech bike sound?

ok, so i was out for a nice leasurely ride yesterday, and i noticed this high-pitched whistleing (sort of humming) noise coming from the engine. when throttling up, the noise gets louder and vice-versa. does anyone know what this freaking annoying noise is? i mean i can hear it over the pipes, which are LOUD! i was thinking it may be because the bike is relatively new with only 300 miles.

i don't know. any ideas how i can shut the noise off or is this just the nature of the beast?

thorn

Mine has done that since day 1. I think you are hearing the timing chain.

Was a strange noise to me since I am used to solid tappets and pushrods.

That's probably normal, comes from the primary drive. They should have stuck with the chain primary.

I disagree I like the gear to gear primary. No more adjusting the chain all the time plus no more wiped out case if it gets loose. I do think it's the timing chain if it's the same sound mine makes. Too bad it isn't like my old BMW , the only chain in that whole bike is a little tiny chain that pulls the throttle cable.

i'm not sure what it is. it makes the same noise when the bike is on and in neutral. it's a very distinct squealing noise that you can differentiate from the pipes.

but if you old hands say it's normal, i'll just leave it alone. i'm new to the cruiser styling. have been a fuel-injected sport rider before.

Mine isn't what I would call a squeel. More a whine maybe.

Can you narrow it down? Right side, left side, left front......?

Have you removed your air injection system yet?

it's hard to explain the sound. the air injection is removed. That was done when the aftermarket pipes were put on. i would say it's just the natural sound of the engine working.

i can't pin-point the noise to a specific part of the motor. or at least haven't had the time to specifically try.

What rpm should we be idleing at?

The sound I mean almost sounds like a nylon zipper in a hoodie.

I've had that sound since day one also and can't hone in on it. I discribe it as a whistle. Been there for three years, sometimes loud and sometimes not, but there.

Best way to get rid of that sound is louder pipes

Soren

I think most of the bikes have that sound. I think Greybeard is correct in that it's the primary drive. To me it's more like a whining sound.

i was out for ride to work and then a stop by the pub today, and while at the pub a crew of 12 or so with Harleys where scattered about on the front deck of the pub. i asked a few of the guys if they knew much about motorcycle engines and well, to make a long story short... we cranked the bike up and have come to the conclusion that it's the drive, bearings, internal sh*t, etc. that makes that noise. they mentioned even their Harleys have a similar noise.

it's just annoying, to say the least. guess Soren is right, just need louder pipes. any of you "carpal tunnels" know how to make a pair of specialty spares louder?

thorn

Knockometer and chisel.