New weird noise after a long ride

[tmf1423]

Hi all (From the UK),

New to all this so bear with me, I did try to search for this issue before I posted but couldn't find anything.
Basically, the other day did a long-ish ride, about 2 hours at 80mph. After I started slowing down, I noticed there was a new noise.. almost a subtle rattling, that sort of went up and down with the RPMs. What I mean by that, is it was less audible on the lower RPMs and louder higher up.

I THINK it was slightly worse at higher speeds as well, it doesn't sound crazily bad or anything, and I can't feel any difference, but it definitely wasn't there before the ride.

Next day started up my bike again, and couldn't hear it anymore, until I got into the high revs again, then it started to come back.

Like I said, doesn't sound like it's killing my bike, but thought I'd better stay safe.
Actually, after saying it's a rattling noise, it's more of a mix between a rattling and a buzzing noise.
Anyone know anything?

thanks in advance

[DaBlue1]

It's hard to tell what you mean, without actually hearing the sound. People describe sounds differently. However keep in mind that the Ninja 250 is a noisy bike and makes all kinds of weird 'normal' sounds. Also parts (particularly plastic and rear foot pegs) may vibrate/resonate at different rpms.

If it's not a metallic sound and it's not smoking, clanking, banging, popping, leaking, grinding, violently shaking or on fire, check the rubber bits, tighten up all the bolts and fastener's and keep riding. Remember when riding on a giant blender at 80 mph for 2 hours something is bound to buzz or rattle.

[csmith12]

Welcome Harry!

Next time it happens, touch your clutch lever. It's loves to buzz.

[tmf1423]

Cheers guys, yeah.. I mean I have rode for that long at those speeds previously and no problems. Like I said not 100% sure it's even a problem, just a bit suspicious that it suddenly cropped up. Ill give everything a tighten when I next get the chance, and just monitor it to see if it gets worse I guess,

Thanks

[tmf1423]

Oh and it's not a case of everytime I go 80mph it happens.. now its a more regular thing, so any sort of slightly high RPMs and the sound will come back, until I leave the bike to rest etc

[csmith12]

Rest? As in at idle or not running?

Hopefully it's a simple matter of something is just loose. Good luck tracking it down and let us know what you find.

[tmf1423]

rest as in when I leave it and go to bed for the night, and yes I'll keep you posted

[Motofool]

Welcome to the site, Harry !!!

What is the year of your bike?

Did you check the oil level right after that long fast ride?

[tmf1423]

hi,

2012 model, its the fuel injected, cos I'm in the UK, and no I haven't checked the oil yet.. what I'm I looking for? (sorry, noob)

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by tmf1423

.........I haven't checked the oil yet.. what I'm I looking for? (sorry, noob)

No need to feel sorry.

By the rear brake pedal, there is a glass sight that should show the level of oil mid-height when the bike is on the tires and straight up.

Do you have an owner manual?

[tmf1423]

OKay.. so found out I've been running my bike without any oil in :/ or such a minimal amount I couldn't see it.
Heading down to the shop now (on the bicycle) to pick some engine oil up, 10w-40 seems to be the suggested choice? But is this really bad that I've been driving without oil? is there any precautionary steps I have to take etc?

[csmith12]

Harry,

Any idea what oil you have in there now? There has to be some amount in there or this thread would be much different. If you know what kind of oil is in there already, then buy the same and roll. Otherwise... this.

If you don't know, it's best to change it. In fact, might be a good time anyway.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by tmf1423

OKay.. so found out I've been running my bike without any oil in :/ or such a minimal amount I couldn't see it.
Heading down to the shop now (on the bicycle) to pick some engine oil up, 10w-40 seems to be the suggested choice? But is this really bad that I've been driving without oil? is there any precautionary steps I have to take etc?

Yes, proper oil and level are essential to these engines of high rpms'.

Just like Chris has advised above, I would change the oil and filter at this point.

Check these out:

http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/Motorcycle_oil

http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/Oil_Filters

[tmf1423]

Okay, so before the last two posts I'd already gone tothe shop picked up the oil and poured it straight in.. I had to get to work, and didn't realise it was a process of replacing the oil filter etc.. again, I realise my mistake due to my impatience.. but how bad is it?

So I guess the next step is to pick up another bottle of oil, and do the whole thing properly, but will riding it home from work be devastating or not?

[tmf1423]

Bearing in mind that there may now be two types of oil in the engine :/

[csmith12]

Naw, it will not explode or anything. Just take it easy and not RACE home. Change up the oil so you know your set. Look for debris in the oil and filter when you change it and cross your finger no real damage was done. Let us know what you find.

Watch for oil burn off for the season and for white smoke from the exhaust. Check your oil before EVERY ride. TCLOCK!

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by tmf1423

Bearing in mind that there may now be two types of oil in the engine :/

No big deal, as long as you do a proper change sometime soon.

Did the noise go away after you refill it?

[tmf1423]

I'm not sure about whether the noise went away or not yet, as previously It only seemed to crop up when I revved it high etc, didn't do that on the way to work just to be sure

So I need a new oil filter right? I'll do the proper change as soon as I got hold of one, probably tomorrow morning. I'll post any updates,

cheers for the help guys

[alex.s]

i dont know if the OP knows this but if the bike isn't perfectly straight up and down (kickstand is not straight up and down) then it will look like the oil level is low. it should be perfectly level when checking the oil level. too much oil is bad.

[tmf1423]

I did stick some planks of wood under the side stand before I filled it up to get it upright, then filled it to the top of the sight glass, that all alright?

[alex.s]

i'd be more concerned with why it doesn't have much oil if that indeed is the case. in my experience suddenly not having as much oil and a weird sound in the engine indicates the first stage of crank bearing failure. but i'm kind of paranoid.

[tmf1423]

Update: Checked my oil again, and there was nothing in there.. after 3 days, so I'm guessing I have an oil leak of some sort? But haven't seen any sort of spills where I park my bike.. maybe the crank failure the above poster mentioned?

What should I look into next?

[DaBlue1]

Originally Posted by tmf1423

Update: Checked my oil again, and there was nothing in there.. after 3 days, so I'm guessing I have an oil leak of some sort? But haven't seen any sort of spills where I park my bike.. maybe the crank failure the above poster mentioned?

What should I look into next?

How much did you put in it? You probably need to lean the bike towards you while looking in the sight glass, then get the bike level. You can also have someone hold it level while you check it. Also make sure it's not running.

[tmf1423]

About a litre, I did have the stand on some planks of wood, so the bike was level.. filled it to the top of the sight glass.

[csmith12]

Well, it has to be going somewhere.

Leaking it out or throwing it out the exhaust. Put your finger in the end of the exhaust and see if it feels oily. Don't worry, she will not feel violated. If you burned that much oil in 3 days your bike must smoke like h*ll. I am hoping that is not it.

Any oil on the bottom of the inner fairings?

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by tmf1423

Update: Checked my oil again, and there was nothing in there.. after 3 days, so I'm guessing I have an oil leak of some sort? But haven't seen any sort of spills where I park my bike.. maybe the crank failure the above poster mentioned?

What should I look into next?

Avoid using the bike until you find the problem, or you will end up destroying the engine due to oil starvation.

See this thread:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...834#post667834

If no leak is present, it is going through the exhaust as smoke, maybe bad rings, may be bad valves,...........but the bike is just one year old......

[tmf1423]

Okay this is embarrassing..

So when I filled in the oil I made sure I put the stand on some planks of wood to level the bike, but when I checked the oil level yesterday and panicked over it all having disappeared, turns out I forgot to do that
So my oil level is actually fine, seems that's all the original problem was. I'll post again if anything changes, but for the meantime, thanks everyone!

[csmith12]