My ear (musicians) is occasionally picking up a sound from 3rd gear just after getting into 3rd. The sound only lasts for a second or so...but seems like a gear noise I can only describe as "not perefectly meshed or not round" in type. Hasn't been a problem in my 4500 miles of ownership but that's just since September. This '04 sat a while with only 4100 miles from purchase until I bought it. One other "sound" I'm hearing is a faint whine or moan from the front wheel when heeled over in a corner at slow to medium speed. Might be a sign of a bearing letting go. I will be tearing the front end apart in the next few weeks to investigate. Other than that this is a really fun bike to ride and own. Gotta love just going into the garage just to look at those fenders! Mike in TX
Sounds like tire noise. If the front tire was mostly worn in the center from straight up riding (like most people), leaning into a corner will produce noises. The harder you lean, the more noise.
Good point Troll.... but I think this is something else. You are correct about the front tire wear patterns here in North Texas. I've got to ride a hundred miles to even see a decent curve! I won't be satisfied until I rip into it for myself. Mike
Tire noise is a bit different on the Drifter... the fender moves it around, amplifies and distorts it. With 3rd gear... try varying your shift speed... that is move the shift time around... little faster, little slower... see if that impacts the sound.
I think you guys have my tire noise confused with the "wuh" sound which is definately from the tranny. I ripped the front apart today and found a bunch of dirt mostly and one other thing.... an almost completely ground-off lower tip on the speedometer cable! ???? Only thing I can surmise is the P.O. let it come loose, hang down and drag the ground for a bit. I'll post a pic when I have the replacement in hand. I am amazed that my speedo is so accurate with just this little stub of a cable end left. I had to replace the badly-out-of-balance rear tire last fall and can't wait to get new rubber for the front. I'm sure that will help a lot! Thanks for the inputs. Mike in TX
I had a similar sound which got progressively worse with time. To make a long story short, it turned out to be two things. First, the chain was a little loose. But most importantly and the greater cause was the chain needed to be cleaned and lubricated. Once I did that...noise was gone. It started out just as you describe, and only when accellerating or applying torque. It got worse to the point it was almost a clanking noise and this happened very quickly. If it's been a while since you cleaned and lubed your chain I'd check that. I had let mine gone too long.