Mysterious whining!

[deviant]

Since I got the bike back on the road, I've noticed a bit of a strange whining sound at speed. (and no it's not me whimpering at the performance after months on the GPz!)

It becomes audible at about 40 and seems to peak at about 50 before fading away again. It sounds as though it is coming from the back of the bike.

It's been happening since I changed the chain and sprockets. They were standard items before, now Renthal, and changed to 14/47. I also fitted a new hugger.

Is it the bigger holes in the rear sprocket singing in the wind? Or the fact that it's an ally rather than steel sprocket?

Chain tension doesn't seem to make a difference - i've run it at the tight end of the range and quite loose. The wheel bearings are fine - I think if they were making that much noise they'd melt and lock up anyway!

Anyone else experienced this? or can suggest any other reason for it?

[RedexRobB]

Sounds like it might be the chain, you have oiled it up havent you?

Could also be the wheel bearing, how tight do you do the rear nut? If its too tight it puts alot of stress on the bearing so could cause whining i suppose. something to check??

[Northern ANdy]

the bearings cant be pinched up over a certain amount because of the tube running throgh the middle of the wheel. Mine was horribly tight when i got it, no noise though

[RedexRobB]

good point, thats assuming the tube is in there tho. Sounds like its probably just the new chain and sprockets since thats the only thing that has changed.

[masterofinsanity]

probably just the new chain & sprockets wearing in as robB says.

[deviant]

well i've given it another good soak in lube, so it's definitely not that.

i'll just have to keep it above 60 everywhere so I can't hear it!

[Little Loris]

Since I got the bike back on the road, I've noticed a bit of a strange whining sound at speed.

Anyone else experienced this? or can suggest any other reason for it?

Don't take the missus on pillion again?

[deviant]

wondered how long before someone suggested that!

i've just had a new pair of tyres fitted and mentioned it to the fitter. he reckoned it might be the front sprocket, because the original ones have rubber bonded to each side, and the new one doesn't.

sounds plausible.

[RedexRobB]

yeah i know what he means, but neither of my ZXR's came with them, my XJR400 was supposed to have one but didnt know until i bought a spare motor and that had one fitted.

Just had a browse at the microfiches doesnt look like they should have one

[deviant]

it's not a separate part, just a disc of hard rubber bonded to each side of the sprocket. agree that it doesn't look like the fiche shows it.

can't find the original sprocket (might have chucked it already). if it turns up I'll take a picture.

new renthal one is just plain steel.

got some similar looking rubber kicking around at work. maybe I should try sticking some on and seeing what happens?

[masterofinsanity]

thats interesting that is, keep us informed what happens

[deviant]

will do. be nice to get some sort of answer.

sailed through MOT yesterday, which confirms there's nothing majorly wrong with the wheel bearings or alignment. (not that I really thought there was anyway).

[diesel]

sailed through? thought it was a ZXR not a boat

[deviant]

ha ha.

[Xphyral]

i get a whining noise around 50 but its nothing to do with the bike its air whistling round me lid