Mid-throttle vibration?!

[scubaru]

Bike is a stock 2005 250r with 1400 miles. I'm the second owner, never dropped.

Bike has a vibration / rattle when at mid to mid-high throttle. Only when riding, never when in neutral. I can't tell from where exactly, but sounds more forward of the bike than rear. Any known areas or things that might need checked?

All fairings are secure and properly tightened, sounds almost like its from the gas tank but I can't find any cause.

Thanks!

[Lychee]

Check if all motor mount bolts are tight?

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by scubaru

Bike is a stock 2005 250r with 1400 miles.

That is the problem, Steven

The bike needs accruing much more miles quickly !!!

May it be this?
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Lubing_...edometer_cable

[Lychee]

Originally Posted by Motofool

That is the problem, Steven

The bike needs accruing much more miles quickly !!!

May it be this?
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Lubing_...edometer_cable

hmm motor mounts seem unlikely now... lol

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Lychee

hmm motor mounts seem unlikely now... lol

It could be anything, but it seems to me that problems associated to long storage, rusted or frozen parts are more likely.

My first idea was the chain, but OP refers to front portion.

A way to fine-tune the source would be going down a hill with engine off.

[alex.s]

that vibration you notice is the engine.

[baxtc1]

The radiator screen can rattle on these bikes, as can the screen in the lower cowling.

[az3200]

Originally Posted by baxtc1

The radiator screen can rattle on these bikes, as can the screen in the lower cowling.

how important is the radiator screen? i took mine off and spray painted it black. My roommate found my drop cloth heaped up near the garage and threw it in the garbage, with the screen sitting on top.


Is it a rattle or vibration? maybe the clutch lever?

[scubaru]

The noise is both during acceleration as mentioned and decel, but only at roughly 5k. It sounds "tinny" like thin metal almost. I've run my hand over parts at speed when I hear it to see if I can make it stop and locate it. I also had it up on the center jack with a block on the front wheel and ran it with clutch engaged to 5k and nothing.

The bike is mint, not that I'd say I bought a bad bike. But this thing was garage kept, tank and carbs drained every winter. The only rust is where the levers pivot, everything else is perfect.

I did have it apart to check my carbs a few weeks ago, maybe a wire was left out of place and now vibrates on something?

Sorry for the delayed response, I was taking my safety course, passed tonight!

Originally Posted by az3200

how important is the radiator screen? i took mine off and spray painted it black. My roommate found my drop cloth heaped up near the garage and threw it in the garbage, with the screen sitting on top.


Is it a rattle or vibration? maybe the clutch lever?

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by scubaru

.........I was taking my safety course, passed tonight!

Congratulations !!!

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by az3200

how important is the radiator screen? ..........

It protects the fins from being bent by flying rocks.

[csmith12]

Clutch lever buzzing? It's common.

[DaBlue1]

Originally Posted by scubaru

....All fairings are secure and properly tightened, sounds almost like its from the gas tank but I can't find any cause.

Originally Posted by scubaru

....I did have it apart to check my carbs a few weeks ago,

Did you happen to notice if both rubber fuel tank dampers where present?

[scubaru]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Clutch lever buzzing? It's common.

I've been trying to determine if it is, I was able to get the throttle up high enough to trigger the vibration, and took my finger and held the clutch lever stead and the noise continued, so I don't think its the lever although I'm not ruling it out.

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Did you happen to notice if both rubber fuel tank dampers where present?

I did see them in there, I had thought about how I put it back together and was wondering if maybe something slipped or moved out of placement. Might take it apart again for the sake of taking a look? I mean its easy enough to at least get the fairings and tank off and then slowly put it back together. But yes they were present and the rubber looked in excellent condition, no cracks, tears or damage.


So what about chain noises? I noticed my chain looks a little lose, haven't had a chance to check it with a ruler but it has some drop to it. If I hit the throttle harder I feel a lurch forward when the slack is taken up out of the chain, I still think I'm at a normal amount, but even so the vibration I get is both on and off throttle. Any input on this?

[csmith12]

You sure it's rpm related?

You should be able to get to redline in a parking lot via 1st gear or on a stand. If you can't maybe it's in the drive train and comes/goes as the speed changes. Maybe have a look at;

Tire pressure - check it every ride
Chain - clean/lubed, check master link while your there and slack should roughly be about 1.5 inches
Front/Rear sprocket - torqued and not worn
Wheel axles - torqued
Wheel bearings - put it up on stands and check for any side to side movement and smooth rolling, grease them if needed
Wheel weights/Tire balance - check
Rear wheel alignment - may have to really spend some time and do the string method
Rotors - straight, check for glazing while your there
Brake pads and calipers - not dragging against rotors and bolts torqued to spec, check pads while your there
Front fork alignment - search for alignment thread in the tech section, it's stickied I think
Stem nut - Torqued to spec

Also, you can't really trust the direction of sound when it comes to isolating a vibration. I always start with the bike on stands and turn the wheels slowly by hand and listening.

Hopefully your vibration is on the list above and is an easy fix.

[csmith12]

Also, if it is the chain, there should be a pattern to the vibration. If you strongly suspect the chain, spray it with WD40 and go for a short ride to see if the problem goes away. WD40 is a temp fix only but will help diagnose the problem. You can try to soak the chain in gear oil for a day to get a bit more life out of it but maybe it's time for a new chain.

[scubaru]

Originally Posted by csmith12

You sure it's rpm related?

You should be able to get to redline in a parking lot via 1st gear or on a stand. If you can't maybe it's in the drive train and comes/goes as the speed changes. Maybe have a look at;

Tire pressure - check it every ride
Chain - clean/lubed, check master link while your there and slack should roughly be about 1.5 inches
Front/Rear sprocket - torqued and not worn
Wheel axles - torqued
Wheel bearings - put it up on stands and check for any side to side movement and smooth rolling, grease them if needed
Wheel weights/Tire balance - check
Rear wheel alignment - may have to really spend some time and do the string method
Rotors - straight, check for glazing while your there
Brake pads and calipers - not dragging against rotors and bolts torqued to spec, check pads while your there
Front fork alignment - search for alignment thread in the tech section, it's stickied I think
Stem nut - Torqued to spec

Also, you can't really trust the direction of sound when it comes to isolating a vibration. I always start with the bike on stands and turn the wheels slowly by hand and listening.

Hopefully your vibration is on the list above and is an easy fix.

I've checked tire pressure, chain is clean and still lubed but could always add a little more. I'll go through other components of what you've listed, if I can I'll try to get the gopro on the bike and see if it will pick up the sound, maybe hearing it will help narrow the noise and cause.

Originally Posted by csmith12

Also, if it is the chain, there should be a pattern to the vibration. If you strongly suspect the chain, spray it with WD40 and go for a short ride to see if the problem goes away. WD40 is a temp fix only but will help diagnose the problem. You can try to soak the chain in gear oil for a day to get a bit more life out of it but maybe it's time for a new chain.

A new chain at 1400 miles?

[csmith12]

Sure, it's possible. If it was damaged, improper manufacture or not cared for adequately.