Tough to Diagnose over the internet sound

Zanotti2 · Post by **Zanotti2** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 8:11 pm

02 1150R ABS (Atlanta Blue)

When riding at constant speeds, around 50mph, I get a high pitched whistling sound from rear area. At first I ghought it was helmet noise, so on a diagnosis run, I didnt wear one.

Its rather high pitched, doesnt change when pulling in clutch, shifting weight inside and out, and changing speeds too much.

Right now I am think rear drive/ rear drive fluid, or tires (Pilot Roads, about 8K on the rear)

Any other ideas to check?

Z

Sunbeemer · Post by **Sunbeemer** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 10:29 pm

Maybe the rear brake pads?
BTW, if you look through the rear rim (from the left hand side of the bike) at the inner brake pad and can see the rotor through the holes, it's too thin and should be replaced.

riceburner · Post by **riceburner** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:36 am

Sunbeemer wrote:Maybe the rear brake pads?
BTW, if you look through the rear rim (from the left hand side of the bike) at the inner brake pad and can see the rotor through the holes, it's too thin and should be replaced.

BE WARNED!!! It's my experience that the rear pad you CAN'T see (ie the one between the pistons and the disc) will actually wear FASTER than the the one you can see. I find this worrying because the pad you can't see is actually THICKER than the one you CAN see!

Therefore - if you can see through the visible pad, it's likely that the hidden pad is down to the metal!!

maduko · Post by **maduko** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:21 am

Bearing would be my first guess. You mentioned "shifting weight" around... does that include banking the bike left and right?

A wheel bearing will change as you weave left or right- a driveline bearing would not. If it doesn't change my next step would be to run it up in the driveway.

Does it make any whine if you run it up while parked on the center stand?

Post by **CycleRob** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:30 am

I get a high pitched whistling sound from rear area.

You did not mention what change applying the rear brake made. No need to ride the bike now to find out. Sounds like it's already too late for that rear brake rotor. Look at both sides of the rear rotor's pad swept area. My guess is one side it pretty scored up. If so, it'll need to be replaced or it will just quickly eat the new pad material on that side.

Zanotti2 · Post by **Zanotti2** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 2:32 pm

The bike has just 18K miles on it and has never had pads replaced.

When I went out to the garage to look, the outside area of the rear disc was scored and the pads look pretty thin.

Amazing what this board and the internet can do. Thanks guys.

Cycle Rob - I only wish I were still in NJ to come out to Washington Cycle Works to get it replaced!

Z