Is a Hollow Rubbing Noise Normal?

[buzzbomb]

Hello all. After tons of research and a tax return I bought a 2009 FZ6r today! had about 1400 miles on it when I bought it and then I put a couple hundred on it afterward.

My question is: I'm hearing a hollow-rubbing sort of noise that sounds like it's coming from the front of the engine. It only does it when I'm moving and becomes harder to pin down the faster I go, due to the wind noise. It's loud enough that I hear it over the exhaust.

I've checked the oil and coolant level per the manual. Oil is good, coolant is a little low, but it's not out.

I don't recall hearing this noise on my test ride, but then I was all adrenaline and testosterone and little kid in a candy store at the time.

It sounds like what you would expect to hear if you took a wrench and just ran around the inside of a tire rim. Sort of a hollow, rubbing sound.

I've owned a few Honda's and a 'Zuki over the years, but this is my first Yamaha, so I've nothing to compare it to. Is this a normal sound for the bike, or should I be seriously concerned?

Thanks.

 

[JSP]

The chain on these bikes are pretty loud. That may be it.

 

[buzzbomb]

Thanks for the reply, Jay. The chain did seem a little loose, though not seriously. With my previous bikes, a loose chain made more of a rattling or a buzz than the sound I'm currently hearing. It seems to coming be from more forward than the front sprocket as well, but I could easily be mistaken as to it's actual location.

 

[JSP]

Only real noises ive heard with this bike is chain, or a slight tic or slight whine. All normal. Not sure of a hollow type sound. Besides the normal engine noise. Will a video pick it up?

 

[buzzbomb]

Probably would if I had a camera to do it while I was riding.

 

[alaskanflyboy]

Without hearing the actual sound, I can't say for certain, but it does sound sort of what I might describe the chain as sounding when it's needing lubrication. I find myself needing to lubricate the chain about every 300 miles or so or else it makes a loud whirring, grinding sound. Try lubricating the chain and see if it goes away.

 

[buzzbomb]

Ok. I can take hint. lol. Tomorrow the chain gets tightened AND lubed. It's supposed to be thunderstorms all day, so I might not get to take it out until Saturday. I'll let ya'll know if that's what's making the noise.

 

[Uno979]

Well it's obvious how frustrating this "noise" is seeing how very few have heard it. I hear it. Heard it since day one. Next person that claims it is a chain gets banned. I swear... It's not the f'ing chain!!!! I've heard people say its the tires also but that's not it.


I'll tell you what it is.. It's the front brake pads RUBBING the disks!

I know, as I live on trouble shooting, i removed the pads on mine and rode around and it was gone.

Noise stayed over 4k miles because I don't use brakes as much as most riders. Something I grew accustomed to over the last 14 years.

Any ways that's it.. Sounds like a hollow noise because it is echoing against the inside of the front fender.

Tadaaaaa.

 

[buzzbomb]

Why don't you tell us what you REALLY think, Uno! I've said I'll do the chain thing, so I shall. If the noise does not diminish, I shall then remove the front brake pads, block the pistons, tie the whole thing up somewhere and take her for a spin.

If it is either the chain or the pads I shall be very happy. Like the little piggy on the zip line: WHEEEEEE!!! WHEEEE!!!! WHEEEE!!! all the way home!

 

[Uno979]

Hahahahahaha wheeeeee whe whe wheeeeeeee

Keep me updated on progress. I'll help narrow down the culprit incase I did something to mine I didn't notice.

At first I figured it was a bearing or something odd but like u said I've not heard it on any other bike.

 

[JSP]

 

[alaskanflyboy]

Hahahahahaha wheeeeee whe whe wheeeeeeee

Keep me updated on progress. I'll help narrow down the culprit incase I did something to mine I didn't notice.

At first I figured it was a bearing or something odd but like u said I've not heard it on any other bike.

I guess I don't have it on my bike. I just know the closest thing to what he described is the noise my chain makes if I go too long without waxing the chain. It may well be the brakes, I've just never encountered it myself to know what that sounds like. What ever it turns out to be, I'm sure the guys here at the forum have the collective knowledge to get it sorted.

 

[Superzoom]

I'll tell you what it is.. It's the front brake pads RUBBING the disks!

+1

My guess as well.

 

[buzzbomb]

Update: Chain is well tensioned and adequately lubed. Tried to pick up some chain lube today, but my local Walmart didn't carry it. Gonna take the bike out for a 50 mile ride to the closest cycle shop tomorrow and pick some up to make sure it's Seriously Lubed.

Didn't pull the front pads. The more I looked at what was involved, the more I felt like I should be able to spin the front wheel and find out if the pads are rubbing, if I can the front wheel off the ground. I don't have access to a bike stand atm, but I've got an alternative I'm going to use. Once again, has to wait for tomorrow, though.

On the plus side, I've found the sound I'm hearing on a video by Funkmaxtor!

http://www.600cc.org/forum/f90/goldmine-road-ride-17524/

It's at 3:48 and again more clearly at 3:56. Once you spot it - it's a mid-pitch steady tone - you can hear it a lot through the rest of the vid. On my bike it's constant when moving and I hear it louder than my stock exhaust.

 

[Deanohh]

Coast along or go downhill at a speed where you hear the noise.pull in the clutch to lower engine noise or kill the engine in neutral then apply a little front brake on and off. If it changes the sound then it's the pad sound on the rotors. You hear that on all bikes but if excessive, the pins that carry the calipers or the caliper pistons might be rough or sticking.

If they drag enough to get hot, could be something screwey at the master cyl or if aftermarket levers might not be releasing properly.

A rough wheel bearing can sound funny too....probably the pads, though.

 

[buzzbomb]

@ Deanohh. Kill the engine. Listen for noise. Damn. Wish I'd thought of that. Definitely on the todo list tomorrow.

 

[Uno979]

@ Deanohh. Kill the engine. Listen for noise. Damn. Wish I'd thought of that. Definitely on the todo list tomorrow.

If you kill the engine while moving the oil sump will stop and can cause damage internally. So if you do don't do it long, make sure it's in neutral and clutch is pulled in. Just in case.

 

[buzzbomb]

Update: Cold as all get out today, but took her out for about 5 hours anyway. How cold was it? At 65mph the engine temp was 162...

Did the turn-off thing and the pull the clutch in thing. No difference. I was just too darn cold when I got back to lift the front end and spin the wheel, but that's OK, because I noticed something important today.

My backroads roaming took me over varying types of pavement. There were a couple types of surfaces, where when I hit them, the noise stopped! It didn't fade out or anything, it simply stopped on a particular surface and then started again the moment I changed surfaces.

The normal asphalt in this area is very pebbly, even on the highways. It's when I went onto a visibly smooth surface the noise ended.

I'm still not sure it's tire noise alone. I think what may be happening is the road surface is setting up a high-speed vibration in the plastic fairing. This equates audibly to the mid-pitch hollow tone I've been worried about.

It should be warmer on my next day off on Thursday. I hope to strip her naked and take her out. I'll let ya'll know what happens.

 

[Uno979]

That's also a good factor. I figured it was due to a couple factors together. I'm changing tires next couple weeks so I can't wait to see how it effects the "noise."

 

[LFReason]

Well it's obvious how frustrating this "noise" is seeing how very few have heard it. I hear it. Heard it since day one. Next person that claims it is a chain gets banned. I swear... It's not the f'ing chain!!!! I've heard people say its the tires also but that's not it.


I'll tell you what it is.. It's the front brake pads RUBBING the disks!

I know, as I live on trouble shooting, i removed the pads on mine and rode around and it was gone.

Noise stayed over 4k miles because I don't use brakes as much as most riders. Something I grew accustomed to over the last 14 years.

Any ways that's it.. Sounds like a hollow noise because it is echoing against the inside of the front fender.

Tadaaaaa.

Hi Uno. I was wondering if you could please give a step by step on how you were able to prevent the pads from rubbing up against the disks. I recently bought my FZ6R and I have a buzzing sound as well and I initially thought that maybe there is a screw loose that is vibrating somewhere but we might be talking about the same issue and I wish to try your method to fix the problem.

Please and thank you!