Buzzing on decel

sickopsycho · April 11th, 2017, 08:42 AM

Is this normal? My engine seems to have a pretty distinct buzz on deceleration, mostly on higher rpms. Wondered if this was normal or some sign that a bearing is going to give out or something. My engine only has 3k miles on it-

Triple Jim · April 11th, 2017, 08:44 AM

Are you sure it's the engine? My 250 has a couple minor buzzes at different speeds. One is the headlight shell vibrating.

sickopsycho · April 11th, 2017, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Are you sure it's the engine? My 250 has a couple minor buzzes at different speeds. One is the headlight shell vibrating.

It kind of feels like its coming from the engine, but I suppose it could be elsewhere. I have all my plastic off right now and it's still there, but the headlight shell is still on. How would I go about finding out?

jkv45 · April 11th, 2017, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickopsycho

It kind of feels like its coming from the engine, but I suppose it could be elsewhere. I have all my plastic off right now and it's still there, but the headlight shell is still on. How would I go about finding out?

Our 2004 also had an annoying buzz in the front end at times. I'll check with my son, but it may have been something with the wire cover on the front brake line hitting the fender - or something in that area. Not sure if they still use that on your (newer) model though.

Considering you have the fairings off, it should be a lot easier to locate.

You may be able to slowly rev-up the engine and see if you can get the same frequency as you did on decel to recreate the buzzing in the garage.

Triple Jim · April 11th, 2017, 11:07 AM

Yeah, about all you can do is try feeling around when it's happening and see if pushing on different things stops it, all while trying to avoid running into a tree or something.

csmith12 · April 11th, 2017, 11:27 AM

Clutch lever?

cadd · April 11th, 2017, 12:36 PM

Video will be really helpful in situations like this.

sickopsycho · April 11th, 2017, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkv45

Our 2004 also had an annoying buzz in the front end at times. I'll check with my son, but it may have been something with the wire cover on the front brake line hitting the fender - or something in that area. Not sure if they still use that on your (newer) model though.

Considering you have the fairings off, it should be a lot easier to locate.

You may be able to slowly rev-up the engine and see if you can get the same frequency as you did on decel to recreate the buzzing in the garage.

This is actually a really good idea, I didnt think of that. =)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Yeah, about all you can do is try feeling around when it's happening and see if pushing on different things stops it, all while trying to avoid running into a tree or something.

This is what I was trying to aviod, lol. I went on a ride at lunch and was trying to grab the front end... but it's most prevelant in higher rpms so it gets a little hairy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Clutch lever?

Do you mean the clutch lever is vibrating? I dont think so, my hand is on it- I would know. Now that you mention it, though, it seems like I'm only noticing it while I'm decelling in gear. If I pull the clutch, I dont think I notice it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadd

Video will be really helpful in situations like this.

I would do this, but I dont think you'd hear it on the video. My new exhaust kind of drowns out the sound, but I can still feel it in the handlebars, my butt and the foot pegs.

Motofool · April 11th, 2017, 02:34 PM

If the chain is excessively loose, the top of it could be hitting the swingarm when the rear wheel is forcing the engine to rev up.
If not, I would verify torque of the three bolts and nuts clamping the engine against the frame.

jkv45 · April 11th, 2017, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Clutch lever?

That's what my son said also. I thought it was something else...

DmbShn41 · April 11th, 2017, 03:36 PM

What kind of condition is your chain in?

CrazyCanuckGoat · April 11th, 2017, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DmbShn41

What kind of condition is your chain in?

Yup........dry change = noise

Triple Jim · April 11th, 2017, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyCanuckGoat

Yup........dry change = noise

That's why I keep a quarter cup of grease in my pocket.

CrazyCanuckGoat · April 11th, 2017, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

That's why I keep a quarter cup of grease in my pocket.

I found that out after a 1200km trip one day. For longer trips I bring my can of spray with me.

Moral of the story: Always take lube with you on trips

My bike also had a buzzy front fender at certain rpms from vibrating against the metal bracket underneath. Little bit of foam fixed that.

My front brake hose does make a noise as well in the retainer only on suspension oscillation.

You can quickley rule out the chain if you go for a ride and pull the clutch in and let the rpms drop. If the buzz is gone, then you are looking at engine/rpm related.

sickopsycho · April 12th, 2017, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

If the chain is excessively loose, the top of it could be hitting the swingarm when the rear wheel is forcing the engine to rev up.
If not, I would verify torque of the three bolts and nuts clamping the engine against the frame.

My chain is loose, but not THAT loose. I would imagine I'd see evidence of it hitting up there, and I don't. I will verify the torque of the engine mount bolts- that's a good idea. I got the bike with ~1000 miles and I found 5 fairing screws that were missing already and a couple more that had become loose. I assume the PO never went through at 500 miles and checked everything for tightness. Those engine mount bolts could be backing out. That would certainly explain it. =)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DmbShn41

What kind of condition is your chain in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyCanuckGoat

Yup........dry change = noise

This is a good point- I do need to tighten my chain- probably lube it too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkv45

That's what my son said also. I thought it was something else...

I double checked this. When I pull the clutch, the vibe is still there. Seems to be engine/rpm related.

jkv45 · April 12th, 2017, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickopsycho

(SNIP) When I pull the clutch, the vibe is still there. Seems to be engine/rpm related.

That would lead you to look at things effected by road speed and not engine speed as the engine would drop back to idle with the clutch in and coasting.

sickopsycho · April 12th, 2017, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkv45

That would lead you to look at things effected by road speed and not engine speed as the engine would drop back to idle with the clutch in and coasting.

Sorry- I wasnt clear in my response. When I pull the clutch, the vibration WAS still there but related to engine in the sense that once the RPMs dropped it went away. Regardless... it was the chain after all. Didn't realize it was as loose as it was. I was outside looking at it and when I push it up from underneath, it actually could touch the swingarm. I tightened the chain and the vibration is gone. Thanks for the good tips, guys! I still need to go over my engine mount bolts- even though I fixed the problem, they could still use a check.

jkv45 · April 12th, 2017, 07:40 PM

Looks like DmbShn41 gets the win.

Triple Jim · April 12th, 2017, 08:31 PM

Yes, he does. I guess I'm not ashamed to say that I don't have experience with a loose chain causing odd noises.

Andrew, I'm glad you found the problem!

sickopsycho · April 13th, 2017, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Yes, he does. I guess I'm not ashamed to say that I don't have experience with a loose chain causing odd noises.

Andrew, I'm glad you found the problem!

Well, obviously I didnt find it lol but i fixed it! =) Thanks guys!

April 11th, 2017, 08:42 AM	#1
sickopsycho One ugly son of a gun. Name: Andrew Location: Raleigh, NC Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250 Posts: 167	Buzzing on decel Is this normal? My engine seems to have a pretty distinct buzz on deceleration, mostly on higher rpms. Wondered if this was normal or some sign that a bearing is going to give out or something. My engine only has 3k miles on it-

April 11th, 2017, 08:44 AM	#2
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Are you sure it's the engine? My 250 has a couple minor buzzes at different speeds. One is the headlight shell vibrating.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

April 11th, 2017, 11:27 AM	#6
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Clutch lever? __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

April 11th, 2017, 12:36 PM	#7
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	Video will be really helpful in situations like this. __________________________________________________ Riding it like I financed it.

April 11th, 2017, 02:34 PM	#9
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	If the chain is excessively loose, the top of it could be hitting the swingarm when the rear wheel is forcing the engine to rev up. If not, I would verify torque of the three bolts and nuts clamping the engine against the frame. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

April 11th, 2017, 11:07 AM	#5
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Yeah, about all you can do is try feeling around when it's happening and see if pushing on different things stops it, all while trying to avoid running into a tree or something.

April 11th, 2017, 03:36 PM	#11
DmbShn41 Wannabe Reborn Name: Unregistered Location: Cincy Ohio Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: 302	What kind of condition is your chain in? __________________________________________________ " If you're here to show off and prove that your crotch rocket is faster than my Harley, you can leave now. "
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

April 12th, 2017, 07:40 PM	#18
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	Looks like DmbShn41 gets the win.
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

April 12th, 2017, 08:31 PM	#19
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Yes, he does. I guess I'm not ashamed to say that I don't have experience with a loose chain causing odd noises. Andrew, I'm glad you found the problem!

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