Gotaquestion

[Eagle 1]

Just got my 99 Valk. Interstate out of the shop, had them go through everything (new wheel bearings, brakes, fork seals, tires, progressive fork springs, checked and lubed final drive and shaft), and it still makes a lot of (road?) noise, so yesterday I rode a standard Valk. it was absolutely quiet on the same roads I rode the Interstate. My question; does an Interstate make more noise due to the batwing than the standard with only the windshield?, or should I be looking for some other problem(s)?


Manny

[Big Rig]

Too many variables...

tyres....tyres....pressure/age....

If it is wind noise and you are getting buffeting...I would stay away from full face and modular helmets...

My IS is much more quiet with my 1/2 helmet than my full face and modular (winter riding).

[Black Dog]

I would think that the IS fairing would shield you from wind, and put you in a somewhat quieter bubble.  Inside the shielded bubble, engine/tranny noise would be more noticable.  If the Standard had no shield, my guess is that the wind noise would mask most of the mechanical noise from the bike.

I have a standard with an original Valk specific Hoppe fairing.  I can remove the fairing easy enough, and when I ride without it, the noise is more wind related, where as when I ride with the fairing on, the mechanical noises are easier to hear.

The Valk has square cut gears, and the tranny can whine a bit.  If you have Kury tranny covers, the noise can be amplified.

If your bike had a once over as complete as you say, I'd think she was running as expected.  If given the chance, hop on another IS, and give it a try.

Hope this helps you be more at ease.

Black Dog

[Skinhead]

Are you talking just general road noise?  Have another IS owner switch bikes with you and compare.  I own both an IS and a standard (with bags and Batwing) so they seem pretty similar to me.  Could be just a difference in tires.

[Eagle 1]

The noise is not the wind as I have factored that in, the new tires are Metzeler 880"s. The shop that did the work is where my son is the manager and he had his race mechanic do all work and made sure he was extremely thorough in order that it be done properly. the only thing they found out of order was a rear wheel bearing which of course was replaced. I will see if I can find an Interstate to ride to make the comparison, hopefully it is just that the faring is channeling the noise and not a mechanical problem,
I appreciate all the help and info received. If any of the members have both the Interstate and the standard with the clear windshield I would be interested to hear they can tell the difference when they are actually listening for a difference on the same roads.
Thanks again
Manny

[Willow]

I have both but my Standard is without a shield and my Istate has an abbreviated screen.

Valkyries often sound different.  Some factors are tire brand, tire inflation, wind protection, brand of oil and a number of other factors.  It is fair to say the fairing will likely allow you to hear the engine and transmission more.

Looks like you're in Oregon.  Too far for me to help you out.  We have a few members that may be closer and be willing to assist you. 

[Jess Tolbirt]

me 880's is the noisiest tires on the road,,

[The emperor has no clothes]

me 880's is the noisiest tires on the road,,

Yeah I sure don't like them. Also might be the piggies cut off and or drilled.

[john]

      " Just got my 99 Valk. Interstate out of the shop, had them go through everything "
                                 ride'in motorcycles is noisy ... try ear plugs             ??? 

[cookiedough]

just turn up the radio, problem solved.

nothing probably wrong, just that like said the I/S blocks more wind noise causing you to hear the engine more so than a std. 

I actually think the whirring noise, so subtle at idle with stock I/S pipes, is pretty neat sounding and like it over the potatoe potatoe HD and most other Vtwins. 

What is also a factor am sure is tires.  Some brands can be noisier than others.  Ride it like you stole it, burn off those metzs, and try avon cobras or dunlop elite III's or another tire choice.  After being on here awhile, have heard the dunlops are noisy as well so might try avon cobras?  I have them and think they are a decent, quiet tire, but others have had issues as well with them so a crap shoot probably? 

[Moonshot_1]

Couple of thoughts

We are assuming that the major stuff has been gone over by professionals that know what is going on.
You also said it is "still noisy" after the going over.

So this leads me to believe that it was "noisy" before too.

So with that, a couple thoughts on the "noise"

1. Most likely the tires. You said you "factored in" the wind noise.

2. Speedometer cable. That can make noise too. Not sure what the setup is on an Interstate.

3. There are rubber liners on the inside of the fenders. Sometimes they come partially off and can flutter in the wind and rub on the tire under the fender. At least that happened to me. They are just glued on.

4. Aftermarket stuff rubbing or out of whack. Or any gadgets hanging out in the wind making noise.

5. Look up "buzz bolt". Maybe that needs to be tightened http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/buzz.htm

[John Schmidt]

Under inflated tires can be quite noisy. I see you have Metz on your bike, you need at least 40 psi in front and 42 in back. Some run even higher pressure. As for them being noisy, I never found that to be true on my bike.

[Jess from VA]

I sure disagree about noisy Metzlers, properly inflated, mine were always silent (and great). Toward the end of their lives, most tires will make noise.  Most tire noise of any kind increases in turns, so this can be experimented with.

The vent on the IS fairing can get a bit noisy on an IS but usually wind related.  Many of us shove a chunk of foam rubber up there to keep from eating bugs (or cut cold air in winter)... and this cuts down on that particular noise.

People have complained the Kuryakyn tranny chrome covers make or amplify engine noise (and have glued Dynamat inside them).  I never noticed it at all on either of my interstates.

You can always put a bike up on the jack and walk around shaking and jiggling or whacking things to try to isolate a noise.  And a (well secured) bike on a jack can be started and shifted into first and allowed to run/idle looking for noises too (the rear wheel will spin in first on idle).  You need to be careful with the driveline doing this and remember to rear brake the spinning rear wheel to a stop.  Wacking the throttle on and off with the rear wheel off the ground running in gear can bend your ujoint or shaft or otherwise damage the driveline.  Be gentle.

Here are old articles on noises worth perusing (scroll down to mid page).
http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/

And.
http://www.stolaf.edu/people/marshall/fairing.htm

You'll have to be more specific about your noise, for more specific answers/opinions.

[Eagle 1]

To answer as many of the questions as I can, I submit the following:
1. Tire pressure---front 40, rear 42
2. yes there was a (very) loud noise before, they found the rear tire had a separation (only 600 miles)
3. I am sure they did a thorough job on the work that they actually did, just thought I would check to see if anyone had other suggestions where else I might look.
4. My Suzuki C90 had a full fairing with no noticeable additional noise after installation.
5. If noise is normal, may just install louder exhaust and enjoy the ride.
Love the Valk. just a bit picky I suppose.
By the way I will be setting up a number of local rides this fall and summer and will put them on the site for those that might be in the area and interested, we have some spectacular scenery and roads within our area.
Thanks
Manny
 

[The emperor has no clothes]

To answer as many of the questions as I can, I submit the following:
1. Tire pressure---front 40, rear 42
2. yes there was a (very) loud noise before, they found the rear tire had a separation (only 600 miles)
3. I am sure they did a thorough job on the work that they actually did, just thought I would check to see if anyone had other suggestions where else I might look.
4. My Suzuki C90 had a full fairing with no noticeable additional noise after installation.
5. If noise is normal, may just install louder exhaust and enjoy the ride.
Love the Valk. just a bit picky I suppose.
By the way I will be setting up a number of local rides this fall and summer and will put them on the site for those that might be in the area and interested, we have some spectacular scenery and roads within our area.
Thanks
Manny
 

And what area are you in ?

[BF]

Find some other Valk owners in your neck of the woods (wherever that is) and have them take it for a ride and take a look at it for you. 

[Eagle 1]

Sorry about that guys, I live in Salem Oregon, there are many towns within 50 miles that have Valk. riders, Salem and surrounding area has at least 40 to 50 alone, and do hope to attract as many of those as possible. Most of the rides planned will leave Salem with as many riders as possible and stop at towns along the way in hope to picking up additional riders there. If all goes well we should gather up to 50 riders, plan to stop for coffee and then a lunch along the way. When rides are set up I will announce them on this site (and craigslist) with directions and town we will be in, with estimated times of arrivals in each.
Hope some of you that reside in the area will let me know if you have an interest in making some of these. As I tend to melt, along with my bike in very inclement weather they will be planned when the weather is a bit more predictable.
Look forward to hearing from all.
Thanks

Manny

[Bighead]

Interstate doesn't have a Batwing fairing the Interstate fairing is unique to the Interstate.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I sure disagree about noisy Metzlers, properly inflated, mine were always silent (and great). Toward the end of their lives, most tires will make noise.  Most tire noise of any kind increases in turns, so this can be experimented with.

The vent on the IS fairing can get a bit noisy on an IS but usually wind related.  Many of us shove a chunk of foam rubber up there to keep from eating bugs (or cut cold air in winter)... and this cuts down on that particular noise.

People have complained the Kuryakyn tranny chrome covers make or amplify engine noise (and have glued Dynamat inside them).  I never noticed it at all on either of my interstates.

You can always put a bike up on the jack and walk around shaking and jiggling or whacking things to try to isolate a noise.  And a (well secured) bike on a jack can be started and shifted into first and allowed to run/idle looking for noises too (the rear wheel will spin in first on idle).  You need to be careful with the driveline doing this and remember to rear brake the spinning rear wheel to a stop.  Wacking the throttle on and off with the rear wheel off the ground running in gear can bend your ujoint or shaft or otherwise damage the driveline.  Be gentle.

Here are old articles on noises worth perusing (scroll down to mid page).
http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/

And.
http://www.stolaf.edu/people/marshall/fairing.htm

You'll have to be more specific about your noise, for more specific answers/opinions.

My son's valk has the tranny covers, mine doesn't. The first thing I notice when I ride his bike is the increased noise from those tranny covers. Actually the increased perceived weight of his valk when it comes off the kick stand compared to mine is the first thing I notice. Tranny cover amplified engine noise is the 2nd. He runs a rear Avon, I run a car tire, it makes a big difference in how the bikes feel when taking them off the stand.