Noise that changes with road surface smoothness looking for ideas on source

[Quicksilver]

I ride a 97 standard with windshield. 65000 km. I have noise that seems to come from the front. I've changed my front wheel bearings, tried removing front fender to see if that made a difference. put a shim behind rad cover to prevent it from vibrating, tightened cross bolt behind rad.
No noise when stopped , only when moving, and it varies depending on the roughness of the pavement. I figure
something is picking up the sound from the road surface and causing it to echo within some box like component.

I haven't pulled the tank yet to see if something under there is loose. I've read I should expect transmission noise , however I doubt it varies with the road surface. 
The bike runs great and the powertrain is unaffected by this noise.
Any ideas ?
Thanks
Quicksilver

[DeathWishBikerDude]

dunflops.

[Shockbushing Gary]

It's your tires.
As they wear, they develop a wear pattern that makes noise.

[Quicksilver]

Thanks for the ideas. It's a darn shame if that is the problem  considering that there seems to be so little wear on them. They are Dunlop e3s. Perhaps as the weather warms up they'll quiet down. It's nice to know it's not some major mechanical problem anyway.
Quicksilver

[Jay]

I've been running an E3 for about 7k miles.  Previously ran Venoms, Bridgestone, Metzler.  Other than the Venoms, they all made a variety of noises, growling, slapping, etc.

[MP]

My VW car tires make noises that change a lot depending on the type of road surface.  You will have to live with it.

[Michvalk]

I put a new set of E3's on my interstate last year. After 12000 miles finally wore them out and they made noise the whole time. Also they bounced, shimmied, made strange noises depending on the road surface. Switched to Avon Cobra and the bike rides like it's on rails. But, it makes a totally different sound on the different road surfaces. I only have a couple hundred miles on these tires, and they seem to be getting quieter as the get broken in. We'll see how these work out.

[Airetime]

I ride a 97 standard with windshield. 65000 km. I have noise that seems to come from the front. I've changed my front wheel bearings, tried removing front fender to see if that made a difference. put a shim behind rad cover to prevent it from vibrating, tightened cross bolt behind rad.
No noise when stopped , only when moving, and it varies depending on the roughness of the pavement. I figure
something is picking up the sound from the road surface and causing it to echo within some box like component.

I haven't pulled the tank yet to see if something under there is loose. I've read I should expect transmission noise , however I doubt it varies with the road surface. 
The bike runs great and the powertrain is unaffected by this noise.
Any ideas ?
Thanks
Quicksilver

  Dang noise Stupid thing! Won't Stop! Agggrrr!  What happens is that any and I mean any noise that comes from the front end is magnified by the windshield.  Everything is amplified by bouncing off the plastic shield. This can be wind, road, timing belt, tensioners, caliper, brake pads or even over inflation/under inflation of the tire.

Try this, take the windshield off, ride it and see if the noise dissapears  it probably will.

[Tropic traveler]

Ditto Michvalk's comments on the Avon Cobras. Different noises from different road surfaces with the Cobras.
The noise IS your tires.

[Momz]

Make sure that your tire are properly inflated. Underinflation caues strange wear patterns as well as instability, wobbles, and increases in road noise. The windshield only amplifies road/tire noise.

Ride happy

[jrflyboyVP2]

One other thing to check is the Tach Drive gear, and cable.  The Drive unit is on the left side of the front axle.  But I agree, most likely tires.  Mine growl in turns once they have about 5k miles on them.

John R
99 Standard
Austin Texas

[Quicksilver]

You were right about the windshield. I took it off and could hardly hear any noise. I do prefer riding with it though, it's been very cool around here so far this year. I increased tire pressure to 50 psi to see if that changed anything, it didn't. I'm running at 40 psi now. I suppose I'll just have to live with it until they wear out and I can get a better tire.
Thanks
QUicksilver

[Airetime]

You were right about the windshield. I took it off and could hardly hear any noise. I do prefer riding with it though, it's been very cool around here so far this year. I increased tire pressure to 50 psi to see if that changed anything, it didn't. I'm running at 40 psi now. I suppose I'll just have to live with it until they wear out and I can get a better tire.
Thanks
QUicksilver

At least you know 

[Quicksilver]

I think I found the source of the noise. The side cover on left side over the reservoir had a worn grommet allowing the cover to vibrate. I changed the grommet and reduced the noise. 

[Stanley Steamer]

Thanks for the ideas. It's a darn shame if that is the problem  considering that there seems to be so little wear on them. They are Dunlop e3s. Perhaps as the weather warms up they'll quiet down. It's nice to know it's not some major mechanical problem anyway.
Quicksilver

I had ONE Dunflop E3 on my bike...it was the most noisy front tire of any I've ever had....and that was from day one until it wore out and was replaced!..