May 15th, 2011, 06:12 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: AAA
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Squeal sound
Hi everyone,
I picked up my new Ninja about three weeks ago. I am a novice motorcyclist. A little history on the bike. It's got 150 miles on it now. (History ). I have dropped it already which is very painful to admit. I want to mention this because it might be what's causing the problem. The way it went down is that I was in the lot after doing some riding, and noticed I had come to a stop in third gear. So I started rocking it back and forth to get it into first and I just lost it. The damage is mostly cosmetic (hard to spot at from ten steps away). I picked it up as soon as it went down. Anyway, for the first time since I have been riding, I decided to go on a HIGH SPEED ROAD. (40 mph speed limit ) This was the first time I was a sustained 40mph speed, and I suddenly hear a squealing sound from the bike. Now this is what I tried while the sound was happening: 1) Pull the clutch in and rev the engine. 2) Use front and rear brakes. 3) Use horn, high beam. 4) Use clutch and change gear. The only thing that made a difference was the speed. As I slowed down, the sound down. When I went back down 15 mph the sound went away and did not come back when I hit 40 mph (not immediately that is). When this happened, I made a U-turn and started going towardes home. Again, after riding at 40mph for like 5 minutes, I start hearing this sound again. It is quite unnerving. Now, as for the sound, this is the best I can do in terms of showing you what it sounded like. My helmet muffled it up, and I didn't want to raise my visor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29c_4SKK6Yw Can damage from a nospeed drop cause this to happen? I should mention that this bike is parked outside, and it's been raining frequently. I have been riding for 8 or so miles every day since I bought the bike, save for a few days. Anyway, any hints are welcome. EDIT: I just went outside to look at the bike again. I started up the bike and noticed that the gauge cluster didn't have any lighting. The oil light and the neutral light etc all worked, but the backlighting in the gauge cluster was off. Is it an electrical problem? |
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May 15th, 2011, 06:15 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Scott
Location: Carlise Ohio
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Check your chain. That can cause some sounds if it's to tight.
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May 15th, 2011, 06:22 PM | #3 |
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If it's coming from the front wheel, this might be relevant. If it varies only with the speed of the bike, and not the engine speed or anything else, it's a good bet. But I'd also check to make sure the chain isn't too tight as well.
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May 15th, 2011, 06:23 PM | #4 | |
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May 15th, 2011, 06:30 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org member
Name: AAA
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EDIT: I just went outside to look at the bike again. I started up the bike and noticed (since it is dark out now) that the gauge cluster didn't have any lighting. The oil light and the neutral light etc all worked, but the backlighting in the gauge cluster was off. Is it an electrical problem? Was I hearing the alternator?
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May 15th, 2011, 09:09 PM | #6 |
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May 15th, 2011, 09:21 PM | #7 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: AAA
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Quote:
I think the gauge lights not working is a big hint. I don't know if a 0mph drop can cause some problems like that by loosening wires or something. I just hope it's something the warranty covers. My God this is frustrating. I bought a new bike specifically to focus on riding and not dealing with these issues. Maybe I should have just bought a used one. Last futzed with by EL_Morono; May 15th, 2011 at 11:37 PM. |
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May 16th, 2011, 10:02 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org Monkey Spank
Name: Kevin
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Check your fuses for the gauge cluster lighting.
Is there rust on the brake rotors??
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May 16th, 2011, 10:21 AM | #9 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: AAA
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Quote:
As for rust, there was a tiny bit on it because I had not used the bike for around 34 hours. But that goes away as soon as you ride around a little bit. What worries me is that even if it is a fuse, what caused the fuse to blow in the first place. Where I live, the roads are mighty bumpy. Do you think that could somehow cause this to happen? |
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May 16th, 2011, 01:07 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: AAA
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Ok I checked the fuses and they look pretty much new. This means the lights in the tach/speedo/fuel are burned out.
When I dropped the motorcycle, one of the points of impact was the left handlebar. Do you think that "moved" the bulbs in the dash out of place or something? I still don't know why those bulbs messing up would cause the alternator to scream. (I'm guessing it's the alternator). Has any of you had a bulb go out while riding around? |
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May 17th, 2011, 03:57 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org member
Name: AAA
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OK I went out again this morning to see if the bike will squeal again and it did. Every time I sustain a speed greater than 40 miles per hour for a few minutes, the loud squeal comes from the bike. It's so loud I can barely hear the engine sound.
On the way back home, the speedo light came back on all of a sudden. The gas and tach lights are still off. |
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May 17th, 2011, 05:54 AM | #12 |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Leaving your bike exposed to the elements for extended periods of time can produced condensation in unseen areas of the bike. This can cause some problems with the eletricals if severe enough. My suggestion is get a cover to reduce damage from weathering. Get those gauges dried out and see what happens.
Even though the rust on the brake pads goes away after riding a little bit, the brake and rust dust are accumulating inside the caliper. If you have access to a air compressor, blow the brake dust out of the calipers and clean the rotors and calipers with some brake cleaner periodically. Depending on how you ride, your brake pads may glaze over and that may produce a squeal as well. However since you have very low miles on your bike, brakes issues may not be a factor unless you use the brakes excessively. Check them anyway just to rule them out. The fact that the bike is making a noise at high speed (LOL, over 40mph) sounds like it might be normal engine sounds. If what you hear sounds like the video you referenced, it sounds like transmission whine, which is quite normal. The Ninja 250 has a transmission whine like no other bike and the quiet exhaust makes it even more noticeable. I'm willing to bet that if you get up to speeds above 50 mph, the wind noise will drown out everything. Just to be on the safe side also check your oil level. |
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May 17th, 2011, 06:05 AM | #13 |
ninjette.org member
Name: AAA
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Hi DaBlue1,
Thanks a lot for the checklist. I will check these out and update the thread. The one thing about the sound I should mention is that it starts after I stay at speeds greater than 40 mph. That is, I do not hear it becoming louder and louder as I start from a standstill and reach 40mph + speeds. The sound starts suddenly and it's very very loud. It's almost like a scream, a high pitched scream. I might find some way to record it and put it up here. |
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May 17th, 2011, 06:53 AM | #14 |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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There is one more thing to check that Alex alluded to and that is the speedo. Sometimes removing the speedo cable from both ends, lubing it and re-installing it can remove the squeal if the noise is coming from there. Also there is a seal on the speedo drive that can possibly get folded over and rub on the bearing spacer. You will have to take the wheel off to fix it. If your bike is under warranty, the dealer should be able to fix it if you have no means to lift the front of the bike.
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May 24th, 2011, 06:47 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org member
Name: AAA
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I know this thread is old but I just had to mention that now somehow the sound has vanished. I have no idea where it went.
I think it's like those old Commodore 64 controllers. You leave them overnight and they fix themselves. |
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August 30th, 2011, 03:09 AM | #16 |
ninjette.org member
Name: AAA
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I'm going to necro my thread because apparently the sound has returned. I believe this is because winter is approaching and it's pretty cold in the early mornings.
Anyway, on the internet, "pics or it didn't happen" means I need to show you guys what the problem is. And since now I know how to cause it to happen, I captured it with a ghetto camera setup. Here it is!
Link to original page on YouTube. |
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August 30th, 2011, 07:53 AM | #17 |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Did you ever remove the speedo cable, inspect it and lube it? It sounds like the speedo cable.
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August 30th, 2011, 08:07 AM | #18 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: AAA
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Quote:
Thanks! |
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December 6th, 2012, 05:01 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org member
Name: aaron
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did you ever find the source of the noise, i think ive heard something similar on occasion
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December 6th, 2012, 05:23 PM | #20 |
Bass Master General
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I've had all thise things happen to my bike, from the light blowing, all of them went at different times, and the speedo cable makes a resonating in the gauge cluster which above 35/40mph squeeks horribly. Taken it to the shop several times, they always do something and say its fixed but it never is. To diagnose the cluster, when it makes the noise tap the gauge firmly and if the pitch changes with the tap it's coming from there.
Read my blog on this site, and watch this video. Noise at about 30 sec mark. |
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December 6th, 2012, 05:37 PM | #21 |
wat
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it sounds like the water boiling and shooting out the overflow cap to me, but it could also be the speedo cable
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December 7th, 2012, 05:58 AM | #22 | |
Bass Master General
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Quote:
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December 7th, 2012, 06:52 AM | #23 |
Long Time Rider
Name: Blue
Location: Charlotte, NC
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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What you were hearing was speedo cable squeal. If your bike speed sounded anything like the speedo in this video, it was probably your speedo cable and needs a good lubing or replacement.
The inner shaft is rubbing against the metal casing and eventually could brake if not fixed. You can remove it and inspect it. Just remember which end goes to the speedo and which goes to the gauge. |
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December 7th, 2012, 06:59 AM | #24 | |
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December 8th, 2012, 10:12 AM | #25 |
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got it, lubed it and noise is gone
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December 8th, 2012, 11:07 AM | #26 |
Wartown, USA
Name: Bryan
Location: Warner Robins, GA
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I hate that mechanical speedo...if it's not doing this, it buzzes at certain rpms. Would have been so much better with a magnetic digi-speedo.
Oh well, we didnt get FI either. |
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December 9th, 2012, 07:56 AM | #27 |
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December 10th, 2012, 05:17 PM | #28 |
Wartown, USA
Name: Bryan
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koso is nice, but tis espensive.
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December 11th, 2012, 03:37 AM | #29 |
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December 11th, 2012, 03:47 PM | #30 |
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would it be ok to remove the speedo cable and drive around for just a lil to verify that it is what is making the noise
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December 11th, 2012, 03:56 PM | #31 | |
Bass Master General
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Quote:
You will also find after about half an hour of riding will meen the cable / gauge is warmed up enough not to make the noise, it's probably a thermo expansion / contraction / greese viscosity issue. |
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December 12th, 2012, 03:20 AM | #32 | |
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Quote:
although my dash lights keep goin out dnt know if its related :-/ |
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December 12th, 2012, 09:37 AM | #33 | |
Bass Master General
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Quote:
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December 12th, 2012, 10:19 AM | #34 |
Nooblet
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I used to have a squeak that seemed to be effected by my speed. What fixed it was when the garage took the outer-most wheel-bearing caps off, completely removed the inner cap (and binned it) and then packed the inside area with grease before putting the outer cap back on. That was like a year ago now and haven't had so much as a squeak out of the bike since then.
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December 12th, 2012, 10:28 AM | #35 | |
Bass Master General
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Quote:
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December 12th, 2012, 10:43 AM | #36 |
Nooblet
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You've had some bad luck with your ninjette. I've had a few issues:
* winter-startup issues * recall for the down-sensor * squeak * Slightly seized up metal joints that sit under the rear suspension. I totally love this bike though, so I find it hard to see flaws with it! It's so pretty to look at. I often wonder outside at work to just look at it! It has a perfect amount of power for me. Riding it still feels exciting even after a year of riding. |
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December 12th, 2012, 11:06 AM | #37 |
Bass Master General
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I'd agree with you! I've had bad luck but I just see it as creases needing ironing out, i've had more problems then with the Hyundai i10 though! So it's not all bad, I asked them about my down sensor recall they said they'd look into it and get back to me..... I may take the cable off myself and ACF 50 it.
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December 13th, 2012, 03:30 AM | #38 |
ninjette.org member
Name: aaron
Location: east texas
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i love my ninja and so far at 5k miles this is the only prob ive encountered and if its just merely a noise and an inconvenience doesnt bother me
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