Loud metallic noise advice

[kevinbrixhamdivvy]

Hi all

Just wondered if you ever had or resolved this? my D9 started making a noise like a stone or twig in the mudguard on a club ride 6 weeks ago. When we stopped for a break I had a good look around and couldn't see anything. Thought about cutting the ride short as it was quite loud but then 1 mile after we started again it just stopped! Then it has come on intermittently during various rides. sounded just like loose mudguard, clip etc
I have checked:-

All cables, pipes, lips fittings
removed front and rear pads, cleaned, copper slipped replaced
removed speed cable and lightly greased.
Just replaced all the brake lines with braided hoses, ( not due to the noise, just felt like doing it)!
Checked rear hugger not touching tyre
checked both stands
pumped forks up and down -no noise when do this.
CHECKED LOOSE, CRACKED BROKEN DISCS all FINE

Noise is getting worse and louder and starting to get alarming as quite metallic but still comes and goes!

it is metallic and like a stick or stone in the mudguard or the noise you get from a car when a chipping gets lodged near the brake disc! It seems to be rotation related and seems to come from the front? there is no effect on the handling, braking or performance when it comes.

Today having done a final brake bleed from fitting the new hoses I took it out for good test ride. After firm testing of the brakes from high speed the noise came on alarming enough for me to pull over. couldn't see any reason for it while stopped. pulled off again and after few yards it stopped again. Then rode about 10 miles including some fast 60mph roads. 5 minutes from home at steady speed of 30mph on a level road, it suddenly came on again, definitely seemed wheel rotation related, I eased off accelerator and rolled gently to stop and it cleared again then fine rest of way home.

My concern is that it is getting louder when it appears .

my divvy is 1999, 76000 miles owned and maintained by myself since 2002

All suggestions or experience gratefully accepted!

[crickleymal]

Wheel bearing?

[GAv]

With me its Tinititus
(But I reckon crickleymal is on the right track)

[kevinbrixhamdivvy]

Renewed front wheel bearings last year only concern is sealed bearings and unable to grease before fitted. Have noticed slight brown stain exiting grease seal by spindle. Can't feel play.

[bobh]

See my post in the other thread. Definitely worth taking the wheel out and checking that the bearings are free and smooth.

[CD]

Also speedo drive but wheel bearing gets my vote.
If one was not fully pressed in the race will be side loaded when spindle done up.
Try slackening the spindle and see if the noise improves. All obvious safety issues etc blah blah

PS I had an MZ that ate rear wheel bearings. Then I noticed the spacer was too short. Probably crushed by over tightened wheel spindle

[kevinbrixhamdivvy]

I have admitted defeat with this one! Bike booked in local small motorcycle repairer Wednesday. Will update post with outcome!

[kevinbrixhamdivvy]

Ok sorted! Today started to ride 2 miles to local shop and noise deteriorated badly and was continuous. Took bike carefully home diagnosed front wheel bearings. Took wheel out and took to R n Neale motorcycle repairer. Dropped it with him 11 am and he rang at 1230pm having done it for just over £30! Will be going to him again!

[crickleymal]

Sometimes it just ain't worth DIY. Tredworth Motorcycles have quoted me £85 to supply and fit chain and sprockets for the FZS. I can't source them much cheaper than that!

[bobh]

Apr 8, 2015 18:26:24 GMT kevinbrixhamdivvy said:

Renewed front wheel bearings last year only concern is sealed bearings and unable to grease before fitted. Have noticed slight brown stain exiting grease seal by spindle. Can't feel play.

The slight worry is, why did they fail so soon? Did you get any feedback form the garage?

In the case of my MT-03, which I posted about a few months ago, it was because the spacer between the two bearings was too short, so tightening the spindle overloaded the bearings axially. It's a known fault on early examples of that model, but I've never heard of it as an issue on the D9.

[kevinbrixhamdivvy]

Roger neale who is very experienced said sometimes they don't last and fail. Odd thing is old bearings been in at least 12 years 50 miles until changed last year these from Wemoto were £23 and lasted 1 yr 5k miles. Yesterday the bearings were £13. Who knows I ride gently and smoothly so should last?

[kevinbrixhamdivvy]

Of course I meant 50k miles ( Sausage fingers)

[CD]

Bike wheel bearings don't cope with any side loads. So if one outer is not tapped in far enough and doesn't slip when spindle is done up the bearing gets preloaded. Same thing happens if the outer race is tapped in too far.