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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake related)
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Message started by danibugg on 08/17/09 at 17:34:01

Title: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake related)
Post by danibugg on 08/17/09 at 17:34:01

I took my bike out for a 400 mi ride this weekend, and everything went super smooth - but I now seem to have developed a squeal.

I first heard it yesterday - we had stopped, had only 30 miles left to go, and when I started moving I heard a squeak/squeal from the front of the bike. I didn't think too much of it (wanted to get it home, mostly).

This morning - no noise. After work this afternoon, the squeal went on for a couple miles. I played around with the bike and discovered:
-speed doesn't matter
-RPMs don't matter
-acceleration or deceleration (or stopped) doesn't matter
-gear doesn't matter
-clutch engaged or disengaged doesn't matter

The noise was basically constant. When it was making noise, I could hear it at highway speed. Halfway home it stopped but I have no idea why. What's going on here??

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by thumperclone on 08/17/09 at 17:35:20

got a visor on your headlight?
not the speedo?

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by danibugg on 08/17/09 at 17:37:44

I gave the speedo a light whack when I was stopped at a stoplight, but it didn't seem to have much effect. Next time it makes the noise I'll whale on it a little harder - should I just apply pressure straight down?

I think my headlight is stock.

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by thumperclone on 08/17/09 at 17:43:21

my speed never rattled at a stop..
headlight visor is a cromed pice of plastic on top of the bulb..when i bought my bike it came with it and t.s. visors and other dealer add ons to jack up the price...some i wanted some dgad

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by bill67 on 08/17/09 at 17:56:13

could be the front brake.

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by verslagen1 on 08/17/09 at 18:08:01

If it's a constanst squeal, then it's the engine.
However don't discount the headlight or the speedo yet.
lay a hand on various parts to see if it kills the noise. vibes will make the headlight and speedo make various noises. The lense of the headlight in particular.

If only when going then it could be several things. wheel bearing or brake.

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by danibugg on 08/17/09 at 18:18:31

I don't think it's brakes because the noise continues when the bike is stopped. I'll double check the speedo and headlight the next time I have it out.

It is a constant noise, except for when the noise goes away. A problem with the engine sounds bad. :-/ What sort of bad things are we thinking if that's the case?

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by verslagen1 on 08/17/09 at 18:23:58

there are no reported squeals with the engine that I know of.

most likely it's your headlight, the wiring inside rubs against the shell, the springs vibrate, and the lense vibrates up and down. I've heard some pretty crazy sounds and it all was the HL.

let's hope ;D

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by Serowbot on 08/17/09 at 18:31:12

Don't wack the speedo,.. you'll break it....
Be nice... :-?
Seriously,... Mine would quit, not when I pushed down on it, but when I pried up a bit a the base...
Bet that's it...

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by danibugg on 08/17/09 at 19:25:06

Fingers crossed. I'll see how she behaves on the ride into work tomorrow.

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by Trippah on 08/17/09 at 21:08:01

Standing still you have the squeel, that eliminates belt, wheels and bakes for starters.
If it doesn't change tone when increasing rpms, that would eliminate timing chain and bearings..., can't think of a squeeling sound from piston, valves etc. That sorta leaves cables so yeah, disconnect the speedo at the engine case and run the engine..that'll tell you something (oh yeah, plug hole or wear oily socks. :D)
Good luck.

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by Sir mick on 08/17/09 at 23:57:25

Try running down a hill with the engine off,if it still squeeks it's in your running gear and not the engine. that should be a bit of relief :)

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/18/09 at 05:40:54

I think TRippah got it. Tho I dont know how the cable could get that dry, thats the only thing that I can think of that would squeak sitting still.
I dont think my speedo rattled at idle, seems it got annoying around 30 or 40.

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by serenity3743 on 08/18/09 at 08:51:48

5E485F425A4F42592D0 wrote:

Don't wack the speedo,.. you'll break it....
Be nice... :-?
Seriously,... Mine would quit, not when I pushed down on it, but when I pried up a bit a the base...
Bet that's it...

Yeah, don't hit it. You can easily break the glass. Don't ask me how I know. :-[

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by Charon on 08/18/09 at 10:09:42

The speedometer drive cable turns only when the transmission output turns. If the squeal is still there when the motorcycle isn't moving, the speedometer drive cable isn't it. I wonder if you are hearing the noise the gas tank sometimes makes when it vents? Try opening the gas cap.

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by Serowbot on 08/18/09 at 10:31:14

6F444D5E43422C0 wrote:

The speedometer drive cable turns only when the transmission output turns. If the squeal is still there when the motorcycle isn't moving, the speedometer drive cable isn't it..

Our usual speedo squeal isn't in the drive,... it's in the spring bezel mount... not usual at idle, but still possible..

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by danibugg on 08/18/09 at 17:26:41

Ding ding ding! Speedo for the win.

The noise stops when I rest my palm gently on top of the speedo glass (plastic?). Now how do I make it go away for good, as that is not a preferable way of riding?

Thanks for the help all ;D

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by Serowbot on 08/18/09 at 18:16:10

First you pull the seat,.. to pull the tank,... then you flip the tank over, (drain it first)... a put some silicone caulk on the three springs that go around the speedo mounting screws...
then you put it all back,... and pray... :-?

More details available in the tech section... ;)
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1179104436

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by danibugg on 08/18/09 at 20:14:41

Should have thought to check there :-[

Thanks again! Looks sort of like a pain, but I'm sure it will be worth it.

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/18/09 at 20:20:27

Or gently pry it up & slip some very thin foam rubber under it.
I took mine out & cut some self adhesive 1/16th thick black foam rubber to fit the edge of the speedo. If you could just get something under there till you had a reason to pop the tank, like doing the valves, you could save a hassle maybe.

Title: Re: This squeal is driving me NUTS (not brake rela
Post by serenity3743 on 08/19/09 at 05:15:42

4650475A42575A41350 wrote:

Instead of the silicone, I cut some rubber hose and made fat washers to go on the 3 mounting screws along with the springs and washers. Seems to work fine that way.