Buzzing noise at lower rpms?

kamikaze · August 1st, 2010, 08:21 PM

seems to be worst between 4-8k rpm. it sounds like it could be valvetrain noise to me, if I pull the clutch in and let the motor idle while moving it goes away, so it's def in the motor somewhere. it seems to be much worse when engine braking. I had the 1st service done last thursday and have since put another 500km on it, and it's getting more noticeable every time i go out.

is the valvetrain particularly noisy on these things, or should I be taking it in? this is my first bike, so i really don't know if it's normal or not. it's definitely not the gas tank whistle, I've heard that and I know this isn't the same thing.

thanks guys

kamikaze · August 1st, 2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drsketch

I notice the same thing on my bike, I believe it is a normal noise, and my chain isn't loose, the engine has the right amount of oil and it responds correctly so ... It would be interesting to read some responses from the mechanical pros though

exactly my thoughts. everything feels normal, lots of pull right to redline, no rough idling, etc.

possumapproved · August 1st, 2010, 08:53 PM

I just noticed that the other day too! I live down a dirt road and was worried if the dust was starting to hurt my engine.. I'm glad its not just my bike, but it would be cool to know what it is

Soujyu · August 1st, 2010, 09:03 PM

I'm trying to remember, but if I recall correctly, the reason it's buzzing at those RPMs is because the bike's engine is resonating with certain parts of the fairing and windshield, which is exasperated by fairing screws not being quite tight enough.

You might want to try tightening the fairing screws another 1/4 turn to try to reduce the buzzing. Use kkim's DIY on fairing removal (http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9933) to determine which screws you need to tighten (they're the same screws you use to remove the lower fairings).

Also, make sure your engine mounting bolts are torqued correctly. You will have to remove the fairings to get most of them, but when I did my first maintenance, I found the bolts were undertorqued. This is another potential source of vibration.

I had the same buzziness before I really tightened down those screws and bolts. I still get it a little bit, but it's not as bad.

kamikaze · August 1st, 2010, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soujyu

I'm trying to remember, but if I recall correctly, the reason it's buzzing at those RPMs is because the bike's engine is resonating with certain parts of the fairing and windshield, which is exasperated by fairing screws not being quite tight enough.

You might want to try tightening the fairing screws another 1/4 turn to try to reduce the buzzing. Use kkim's DIY on fairing removal (http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9933) to determine which screws you need to tighten (they're the same screws you use to remove the lower fairings).

Also, make sure your engine mounting bolts are torqued correctly. You will have to remove the fairings to get most of them, but when I did my first maintenance, I found the bolts were undertorqued. This is another potential source of vibration.

I had the same buzziness before I really tightened down those screws and bolts. I still get it a little bit, but it's not as bad.

hmmm, I may peel it apart sometime this week then. they are calling for some rain, so I'll wait until then to do it.

kkim · August 1st, 2010, 10:22 PM

is it a buzzing noise or clattering? valves don't buzz.

try holding the clutch lever and see if the buzzing noise goes away.

kamikaze · August 2nd, 2010, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

is it a buzzing noise or clattering? valves don't buzz.

try holding the clutch lever and see if the buzzing noise goes away.

i'll check that, but it really sounds mechanical to me

kamikaze · August 2nd, 2010, 02:19 PM

k, so i just went for about an hour's ride, and it's definitely not anything on the handlebars. it's the worst at 6k rpm, sounds like a buzz, like something loose. I'll take it apart later this week and make sure everything is torqued down properly.

kkim · August 2nd, 2010, 03:40 PM

does it buzz if you have the bike in neutral and rev it to 6k?

kamikaze · August 2nd, 2010, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

does it buzz if you have the bike in neutral and rev it to 6k?

yep. other thing I noticed is the 1-2 shift really clunks sometimes, esp if you are hard on the throttle...

kkim · August 2nd, 2010, 07:22 PM

if it buzzes when in neutral, warm up the bike and rev it in your garage to isolate the source of the noise.

1-2 clunk is pretty normal, from my experience.

00NissanNinja · August 2nd, 2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamikaze

yep. other thing I noticed is the 1-2 shift really clunks sometimes, esp if you are hard on the throttle...

Yeah its pretty clunky for me so I believe its normal, I think its just because of how the bike is geared the short 1st goes into a longer 2nd gear so the difference in ratios is large. Its kind of like an off road truck if you ever drove one, 1st is really short so its hard to get a really nice shift into 2nd (but a bike is easier).

dubojr1 · August 3rd, 2010, 05:54 AM

You should also check this thread. That rubber piece was to blame for my buzz.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...g+rubber+piece

kamikaze · August 3rd, 2010, 06:27 AM

thanks guys for the input, I'll be tearing it apart on the first rainy day to find this noise. I don't think it's that rubber piece, as I had the seat off yesterday and both were there, but I'll double check.

edit: on a side note, I just called the dealer, and he said that's the most common complaint they get about this particular bike, a vibration noise between 6 and 9k rpm, somewhere in the front end. he doesn't know what the problem part is tho, so I guess I'm still going hunting

kkim · August 3rd, 2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamikaze

I'll be tearing it apart on the first rainy day to find this noise.

that's the point of revving it while in neutral... you can pinpoint the source of the noise w/o taking anything apart. in fact, you don't want to take anything apart to make it easier to find the noise source. Too many times, you take something apart only to have the noise disappear, think you've fixed it and have it reappear on reassembly.

If you can, find the noise source with everything as is for now.

Samer · August 3rd, 2010, 06:54 PM

I started a thread about this a while back because I noticed a 6K resonance buzz. Since this post, I did the 600 mile service at the dealer and told him about the buzz. He said he rode it to check and it was completely normal. I think it is just an engine resonant frequency, assuming your symptoms are the same as mine. I'm at about 1600 miles now and I definitely don't notice it as much now. Don't know if it is perception or reality, but no worries. You're probably fine.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=32225

00NissanNinja · August 3rd, 2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drsketch

Also the metal is now making a ticking noise when cooling, (metal contracting from expanding when hot) I dont think it made this noise when it was newer...

Every gas powered car, motorcycle, truck, etc. will make that noise, every time you let it cool down. A matter of fact if you heat any type of machine to that degree of heat those noises will be created

jkv45 · June 30th, 2015, 06:36 AM

My son was working on his project Ninja yesterday, and was trying to locate the buzzing/rattling sound he was getting around 6000 RPMs. This Ninja doesn't have fairings, so those parts are eliminated.

While holding the engine at 6000 he isolated the vibration to the front fender. The wire cover over the brake line and the fender itself on the right side at the back were creating the noise. Pushing on the fender in that area stopped it.

This is a Pre Gen, but it may be worth a look.

August 1st, 2010, 08:21 PM	#1
kamikaze ex-ninjette.org guru :o Name: Trevor Location: Barrie, Ontario Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2003 SV1000 S Posts: 475	Buzzing noise at lower rpms? seems to be worst between 4-8k rpm. it sounds like it could be valvetrain noise to me, if I pull the clutch in and let the motor idle while moving it goes away, so it's def in the motor somewhere. it seems to be much worse when engine braking. I had the 1st service done last thursday and have since put another 500km on it, and it's getting more noticeable every time i go out. is the valvetrain particularly noisy on these things, or should I be taking it in? this is my first bike, so i really don't know if it's normal or not. it's definitely not the gas tank whistle, I've heard that and I know this isn't the same thing. thanks guys

August 1st, 2010, 09:03 PM	#4
Soujyu ninjette.org sage Name: W Location: Austin, TX Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (sold), 2012 Tuono V4R Posts: 512	I'm trying to remember, but if I recall correctly, the reason it's buzzing at those RPMs is because the bike's engine is resonating with certain parts of the fairing and windshield, which is exasperated by fairing screws not being quite tight enough. You might want to try tightening the fairing screws another 1/4 turn to try to reduce the buzzing. Use kkim's DIY on fairing removal (http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9933) to determine which screws you need to tighten (they're the same screws you use to remove the lower fairings). Also, make sure your engine mounting bolts are torqued correctly. You will have to remove the fairings to get most of them, but when I did my first maintenance, I found the bolts were undertorqued. This is another potential source of vibration. I had the same buzziness before I really tightened down those screws and bolts. I still get it a little bit, but it's not as bad. __________________________________________________ 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R - "Aria" (sold) 2012 Aprilia Tuono V4R - "Perrine" Proof that Harleys and Ninjettes are friendly with each other

August 3rd, 2010, 05:54 AM	#13
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	You should also check this thread. That rubber piece was to blame for my buzz. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...g+rubber+piece __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

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August 1st, 2010, 08:53 PM	#3
possumapproved ninjette.org member Name: Amy Location: Maine Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250 aka Vera Posts: 39	I just noticed that the other day too! I live down a dirt road and was worried if the dust was starting to hurt my engine.. I'm glad its not just my bike, but it would be cool to know what it is

August 1st, 2010, 10:22 PM	#6
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	is it a buzzing noise or clattering? valves don't buzz. try holding the clutch lever and see if the buzzing noise goes away.

August 2nd, 2010, 02:19 PM	#8
kamikaze ex-ninjette.org guru :o Name: Trevor Location: Barrie, Ontario Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2003 SV1000 S Posts: 475	k, so i just went for about an hour's ride, and it's definitely not anything on the handlebars. it's the worst at 6k rpm, sounds like a buzz, like something loose. I'll take it apart later this week and make sure everything is torqued down properly.

August 2nd, 2010, 03:40 PM	#9
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	does it buzz if you have the bike in neutral and rev it to 6k?

August 2nd, 2010, 07:22 PM	#11
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	if it buzzes when in neutral, warm up the bike and rev it in your garage to isolate the source of the noise. 1-2 clunk is pretty normal, from my experience.

August 3rd, 2010, 06:27 AM	#14
kamikaze ex-ninjette.org guru :o Name: Trevor Location: Barrie, Ontario Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2003 SV1000 S Posts: 475	thanks guys for the input, I'll be tearing it apart on the first rainy day to find this noise. I don't think it's that rubber piece, as I had the seat off yesterday and both were there, but I'll double check. edit: on a side note, I just called the dealer, and he said that's the most common complaint they get about this particular bike, a vibration noise between 6 and 9k rpm, somewhere in the front end. he doesn't know what the problem part is tho, so I guess I'm still going hunting

August 3rd, 2010, 06:54 PM	#16
Samer ninjette.org guru Name: Samer Location: Jupiter, Florida Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 376	I started a thread about this a while back because I noticed a 6K resonance buzz. Since this post, I did the 600 mile service at the dealer and told him about the buzz. He said he rode it to check and it was completely normal. I think it is just an engine resonant frequency, assuming your symptoms are the same as mine. I'm at about 1600 miles now and I definitely don't notice it as much now. Don't know if it is perception or reality, but no worries. You're probably fine. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=32225

June 30th, 2015, 06:36 AM	#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	My son was working on his project Ninja yesterday, and was trying to locate the buzzing/rattling sound he was getting around 6000 RPMs. This Ninja doesn't have fairings, so those parts are eliminated. While holding the engine at 6000 he isolated the vibration to the front fender. The wire cover over the brake line and the fender itself on the right side at the back were creating the noise. Pushing on the fender in that area stopped it. This is a Pre Gen, but it may be worth a look.