Weird Noise

[flash2002]

I guy's, I started to get a weird noise  from the bike. The noise sounds like as if one of the pulleys was going but I know it's not because the pulleys are new. It only does it at about 1500 RPM below that or above it's quiet. The noise is there in any gear and even in neutral at 1500 RPM. I did take off the clutch slave push rod and cleaned it and grease it knowing that they can do this kind of noise, still there. So, anybody have this kind of problem or know what it can be. Thanks

[Chrisj CMA]

How about the buzz bolt?

[old2soon]

How about the buzz bolt?

This +1. RIDE SAFE.

[gordonv]

+1, we are talking speed related then.

Straight, turns, acceleration, deceleration, ??

Yoke? I've not had any of the rear issues, so personally don't know, only what I have read.

Anything recently done to the bike?

[flash2002]

The only thing done on the bike is new pulleys and brake pads. I don't think it's the buzz bolt but I will check anyways. What it sounds like is a bearing running dry but if it was, it would do it at any RPM . This is not my first valk so I normally know the weird sounds but this is new to me.

[Hook#3287]

Possibly the belts are slightly to tight?

[Madmike]

how about alternator??  you say in neutral so that is standing still??  That eliminates the wheels, and output side of transmission.  Tach is electronic so no cable.  I think the buzz bolt is a moving thing...yes/no? 

[Willow]

...  I think the buzz bolt is a moving thing...yes/no? 

No.

[Jess from VA]

...  I think the buzz bolt is a moving thing...yes/no?  

No.

It's called the buzz bolt, but it's the long spacer the bolt runs through that buzzes, rattles, vibrates.  Movement is tiny, but that's the noise.  The bolt does not move.

It's not where the finger is pointing, it's above the finger, and the nut to crank down on is above the knuckle. (crank hard, it's all hardened steel) 

[Madmike]

Thanks Jess....

[longrider]

I guy's, I started to get a weird noise  from the bike. The noise sounds like as if one of the pulleys was going but I know it's not because the pulleys are new. It only does it at about 1500 RPM below that or above it's quiet. The noise is there in any gear and even in neutral at 1500 RPM. I did take off the clutch slave push rod and cleaned it and grease it knowing that they can do this kind of noise, still there. So, anybody have this kind of problem or know what it can be. Thanks

You are getting some belt noise.  The belts may be a bit tight.  I get the same noise on mine and it is still factory untouched.  You can mark the tensioners for reference and loosen them a bit

[flash2002]

I guy's, I started to get a weird noise  from the bike. The noise sounds like as if one of the pulleys was going but I know it's not because the pulleys are new. It only does it at about 1500 RPM below that or above it's quiet. The noise is there in any gear and even in neutral at 1500 RPM. I did take off the clutch slave push rod and cleaned it and grease it knowing that they can do this kind of noise, still there. So, anybody have this kind of problem or know what it can be. Thanks

You are getting some belt noise.  The belts may be a bit tight.  I get the same noise on mine and it is still factory untouched.  You can mark the tensioners for reference and loosen them a bit

Ok so if it's the belts, why only at 1500 RPM ?

[F6Dave]

Sounds like the bolt to me.

[flash2002]

Sounds like the bolt to me.

I did check the bolt today, it's very tight no movement there.

[flash2002]

I will try to readjust the belts tomorrow and see if this helps. I did let the springs do the adjustment tension, maybe with the springs there to tight.

[Jess from VA]

Sounds like the bolt to me.

I did check the bolt today, it's very tight no movement there.

Understand how this works.  The bolt may be very tight (it always is), but the spacer inside the frame members may still be loose enough to rattle/vibrate.  When I cranked down on that bolt, to capture that spacer in-between the frame members, I believe I was actually pulling/bending the frame members inward together, before I actually fully captured that rattling spacer.  I used all my power on the ratchet, and the bolt & nut were squealing loudly.  It took me several times before I got it tight enough (really, before I was brave and angry enough to pull that hard).

It's harder to get to on an interstate than stds and tourers (I used a tool to go inside the pod vents, but if the tool had slipped I probably would have destroyed a plastic pod.  I was jerking the ratchet with Ujoint as hard as I could pull.)

Some have pulled it all apart and filled the tube spacer with clear RTV, I didn't.

[F6Dave]

Jess is right.  These engines produce lots of torque.  That force actually spreads those frame downtubes apart, and that long spacer tube the bolt goes through actually gets loose.  At certain low to mid RPM there's just enough vibration for that tube, not the bolt, to rattle.  It sounds a lot like something is squeaking.

[flash2002]

I will attempt to check both tomorrow if I have time and it's not to hot.

[flash2002]

Ok so went for a ride Saturday and the noise is gone, it was the buzz bolt. They say to torque the bolt at 33 lbs, I took it off cleaned the bolt and torque it at 60 no more buzz. Now the belts are making a bit of noise, will loosen the belts a bit. I did do the belts adjustment with the springs so they might be to tight. Anyways, thanks for your help guys, I would never suspect that bolt to cause that kind of noise.

[Jess from VA]

Thanks for reporting back.

I had the damn buzzing (bolt), maximum irritation with no idea what it was, and if it wasn't for guys on here, I'd still have it.