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Post by 2twisty on Jul 19, 2013 8:28:03 GMT -5
New to me 54B with 2500 miles on it. Ran fine until a chance meeting with a pothole blew out the valve stem (yes - shot it right outta there!)
I took the wheel off and had a shop put a new stem in.
I put the wheel back on and went for a ride. After a while, I noticed a strange buzzing sound - somewhat like a failed bearing -- not a hum like a car bearing, but oddly very similar to the sound that the bearings in a computer's CPU fan make when failing -- a groaning buzzing.
At first, I thought that perhaps I had tightened axle too much and killed the bearing. So I ordered some bearings and am still waiting for them.
I took it for a ride yesterday and found that I could make it make the noise at speeds between 10 and 20MPH (indicated), adn that application of the brake would make it stop.
Over 20MPH and it was too hard to hear due to wind, engine and road noise, so I don't know if it went away over 20MPH or I just couldn't hear it.
What gave me pause was teh brake thing. In my experience with cars, application of the brake does not eliminate teh sound of a failed bearing.
So I jacked up the front end and well, the wheel spins smoothly. I can't find anything wrong up there.
I guess I can wait for those bearings and just install them an pray, but I really hate throwing parts at a problem.
Any ideas?
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Post by prodigit on Jul 19, 2013 8:56:18 GMT -5
if it works, ignore it?  change the bearings when they really break, as they won't explode, but take time to wear and become louder. Perhaps something is dragging (brake pad?)? |
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Post by 2twisty on Jul 19, 2013 9:13:02 GMT -5
Well, considering that a failed front wheel bearing could cost me my life, I'd rather not ignore it.
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Post by jeepsteve92xj on Jul 19, 2013 9:41:12 GMT -5
How does the speedometer needle look? Solid and steady? Maybe a little vibration? Possible the speedo drive is dry or slightly misaligned? I have not had one apart on a scooter, but have had bad cables in cars. Buzzieness and erratic needles are symptoms, not always together.
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Post by 2twisty on Jul 19, 2013 10:20:18 GMT -5
Yeah, forgot to mention that -- the speedo is not the cause. Removed the cable completely and it still does it -- although the sound it's making is very similar to that of a speedo cable failing, but the pitch it lower.
Definitely has something to do with the front wheel.
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Post by richardthescooter1 on Jul 19, 2013 10:44:37 GMT -5
Every once in a while my brake caliper hangs up, I use some WD40 just on the pistons and the sound goes away ;D
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Post by 2twisty on Jul 19, 2013 11:09:54 GMT -5
richardthescooter1, Do you have this reubbing/buzzing sound? Are you talking about lubricating the slider pins or the actual pistons, IE removing the caliper and pads and lubricating the surface of the piscton?
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Post by richardthescooter1 on Jul 19, 2013 20:40:17 GMT -5
I don't remove my caliper, just use the nozzle of the WD40 to spray on the pistons, so as you work those brakes they won't stick, I try to post piv where I spray.
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Post by barnie on Jul 20, 2013 6:09:09 GMT -5
Make sure the 2 drive tangs on the speedometer puck on the hub are lined up correctly and the guide on the puck are lined up with the guide on the inside of the fork. There is not much to the speedometer set up but they do have to be aligned correctly for it to work quietly and smoothe. You have a spacer on the right side of hub and the speedo puck acts as a spacer on left side of hub. Barnie
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Post by richardthescooter1 on Jul 20, 2013 7:35:47 GMT -5
Here is where I spray. Attachments:
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Post by rockynv on Jul 21, 2013 7:04:52 GMT -5
Please don't spray WD40 there as you can get it on the pads and have a brake fire afterwards. There is a boot there to prevent water and dirt from getting in there that should also prevent the WD40 from getting to the pistons unless it is torn or defective.
Caliper guide pins and ways should be lubed with hi-temperature silicone brake grease and sticky pistons are usually prevented by regular brake fluid flushes and total system refills.
The brake fluid flush and refill is probably one of the most overlooked annual to bi-annual services required on a bike next to the coolant flush and refill that should be done at the same time if its water cooled.
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Post by rockynv on Jul 21, 2013 7:09:45 GMT -5
Yeah, forgot to mention that -- the speedo is not the cause. Removed the cable completely and it still does it -- although the sound it's making is very similar to that of a speedo cable failing, but the pitch it lower. Definitely has something to do with the front wheel. Did you remove the speedometer drive from the axle and take it for a spin? Sometimes if you don't set the spacers right they get crushed a bit and become noisey too. Also you may want to check the front fender and bodywork as it may have a crack in it that is now just resonating the vibration of the tire treads. One other things is if you hit hard enough to pop the valve stem you may also have damaged the casing of the front tire and hearing the tread growling as it squirms on the roadway. If the tires are 5 years or older they should be replaced anyway for your safety. |
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