HEIP! Problems in Chattanooga TN

[BudMan]

During our trip through the Smokies for our own “better late than never” fall colors ride, we started hearing a distinct noise every time we went into a right or left bank.  There was no noise what so ever when going straight.  The condition started about 300 miles ago, while in the Great Smokey Mt National Park.  I am now in Chattanooga and will be here for the next several days.   I only have to get back to Jackson TN and from there I can trailer the Valk back home to Oklahoma.  I am wondering if I should take her to dealer for checkout, or if I could ride back to Jackson so I could trailer back to Oklahoma where I have a “support system” of technical support.
I serviced the rear end and checked everything back there including the bearings when changing the rear tire just before leaving for this trip.  Everything checked out OK. 
I suspect this is a bearing, but am looking for any assistance I can get.
Is there a reputable shop in the Chattanooga area any of you would trust to check this out?
Thanks folks, I’m really getting worried about this one.  I’m a long way from home and don’t want to get stuck on the open road.  (We are based at our daughters house in Chattanooga for the next several days so I have a little time to take care of this one way or the other.)
Please advise.

[T-Bird]

Budman, there are 2 honda dealers in Chattanooga. Southern Honda, it is one of the largest in the nation.
and Honda of Chattanooga , they have been in business for many of years.  They both are top notch dealers with good mechanics.

also check your tire pressure

[Sodbuster]

What kind of tire you running ?  Tire pressure ?? Alot of times the tire tread design will produce a "noise" when banking in the curves.  I thought the same thing when I rode my Valk home form the the PO.  I thought for sure a bearing was going but found out later tire had only 25 # air and just the way Avon tires sound.

[Pete]

Buddy I am just north of Chattanooga (7 miles), I will PM you with phone number. Call me, and lets see if I can help.
Thanks Pete.

[sandy]

I'm guessing you're running Avons or Elite 3's. When they start to wear down a bit, they sing when you lean it over. My Valk has done that for the 80K+ miles that I've owned her. Check the pressures and enjoy the music. That's just the fat lady singing. My Avon pressures are 42F/ 46R

[Moonshot_1]

Sometimes, I'm out on the road and I'll hear something. And I think I'm losing my mind. Then I come here and lo and behold there really is a reason for that noise/vibration/other anomoly.
I've had that weird tire sound too when banking into corners. Sounds like a bearing but all is ok. Avon tire on front.

[Don07tncav]

Had U joint problems outside of Chattanooga and took the bike to Honda of Chattanooga. They did a good job getting me on the road again.

[R J]

Budman, sounds like tire sing to me.

Enjoy your trip and visit with the daughter.

[roboto65]

Hey Bud +3 or so on the Tire singing mine do it also with the Avons checked my tire pressure and all is good she is talking to you !!!

[BudMan]

Thanks guys.
I forgot to mention my tire type.  I am running new Metzler tire on the rear and the pressure is holding properly at 38.  The noise was sudden in onset, and has gotten much worse in the past 150 or so miles.  I can now feel a distinct "buzz" in the hand grips even when not leaning.
I hope this is nothing, but I have one of those "bad fealings" about this. 

[R J]

Yes sir:    Dat buzz in the bars sounds like a bearing.

PS:     Bump that rear tire up to about 45*.    Won't ripple the tread as much if ya do.........

[Earl in Pensacola]

Sounds to me like you're looking at the wrong end.  If as you say, you checked the rear end and all looked good and now you have a buzz in the handle bars, I'd be checking the front tire for PSI, axel nut and bearings.

[1fastbob]

I wonder if your u-joint is fixing to crater on you?

[Pete]

Buddy and I have made contact. We are getting together Wed AM to see if we can determine the cause.
More when we know it. Thanks Pete.

[BudMan]

Well, ya’ll were right on the mark about the tires!  Pete was gracious enough to take time out of his morning to give the Valk a good going over from front to back.  We found nothing out of the ordinary in either bearing areas.  The tires however, were a different matter entirely. There is a decided wear pattern on the tires that is transmitting directly to the bars in the case of the front tire, and to the seat in the case of the rear!  I had never noticed it on my old tire, but with this new Metzler I really feel and hear it.
I was running recommended pressures in the front and rear, but with the load I am carrying on this trip, it was likely not enough.  We increased pressures to Max rated and I’ll just let it sing! 
Thanks again Pete for the help and thanks even more for the great time we had with you and Kathy overall.
Pete not only got our concerns taken care of, but later that afternoon, went trolling through Chattanooga until he spotted our Valk and dropped in to check on us.  Now THAT’S exactly the way a club like ours is supposed to work!  This has turned a potentially nerve wracking part of out trip into one of its more memorable and pleasant happenings.
I’ll post some pics of the beautiful Tennessee mountains over on the general board as soon as we get home.

[mikeb]

i have a good friend that rides an 1300 vt he took his bike back to the dealer 3 time the tires were  wearing real bad on side they looked the bike over each time and could not find any issues i rode it and found no issues than i followed him down the road and seen what the issue was he was riding side saddle
his back was so out of wack that when he rode the bike had a heavy lean .. he started going to the bone cracker and now all is well.. i wish i took an pic of it .. some times its riding style that can cause issues too.

[T-Bird]

i have a good friend that rides an 1300 vt he took his bike back to the dealer 3 time the tires were  wearing real bad on side they looked the bike over each time and could not find any issues i rode it and found no issues than i followed him down the road and seen what the issue was he was riding side saddle
his back was so out of wack that when he rode the bike had a heavy lean .. he started going to the bone cracker and now all is well.. i wish i took an pic of it .. some times its riding style that can cause issues too.

Yep...that could be the problem

[Sodbuster]

Glad to hear it was just the tires "singing" .... they can emit an awful sound sometimes