Author Topic: Some kind of howling? (Read 2286 times)

Frankenkit · « **on:** May 30, 2009, 04:52:08 PM »

I had my bike (80 cb650c) out for a 70 mi. run today at speeds of mostly 50-60 once we were out on the highway. 35 mi there, 35 back, about 66 miles of it highway. The trip there was uneventful. On the way home, though, I started feeling the herkey-jerky feeling of running out of gas, but as this was going on, the howl that I hear intermittently started getting louder.

The howl, when I first heard it, sounded like a guy at the bus stop I was stopping at going "Woohoo!" A very air-like sound, not mechanical in the slightest. In fact I looked around for the guy who I thought did it, while I was sitting at the light. Later I kept thinking that maybe it was wind getting funneled under the windshield or an odd peculiarity of the 4-4s I put on because I hadn't heard it before on the 4-2.

Anyway, The howl gets louder, and I end up focusing on that more than doing the sensible thing and flipping the petcock to reserve, so the engine cuts out as if I shut it off. I coast off to the side and put it on reserve, not really knowing what else to do. The bike started right up like nothing happened, and I had an uneventful (if a little nervous) ride home. Heard the 'howl' on and off very softly, but never like I did when I ran out of gas.

I'm wondering if this howl really was likely to be exhaust harmonics getting louder as I ran leaner and leaner, having run out of fuel, or if I need to worry about my top end? I thought the top-end oil starvation thing was more of a screech or squeal, and I would love for someone to confirm that for me. I haven't had a chance to look under my valve adj. covers yet because the bike's still pretty hot.

mlinder · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2009, 04:56:35 PM »

Hey Kit. I'd have to actually hear the howl to help you with it. Lots os things can howl, and while they may howl similarly, they are different.

It really good be as simple as some part of your windshield. It could be a bearing somewhere. Engine parts tend to 'skree' more than howl, in my experience....

Frankenkit · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2009, 05:11:21 PM »

it's a weird tricky thing because it doesn't always happen. It seems to happen at random for a second or two, a very smooth, almost woodwind sound. I've just never heard it loud or sustained until then, and not since, either. My best supposition is that the headers heated up quite a bit while I was running leaner and leaner... producing the sound more than usual. The only sound I've ever really heard *like* that was the random howls from my dodge neon's exhaust when it was hot out. I don't know enough about exhausts to hope to explain it, but...

does it sound plausible at least? I just don't want to damage my bike by riding it. It doesn't sound unusual beyond that. Top-end noise at idle etc is very much like a sewing machine... kind of a smooth tapping... or as Hush says "shaking a can full of walnuts and tomato juice"

scunny · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2009, 05:16:35 PM »

my vote goes for wind and your shield

Frankenkit · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2009, 05:36:26 PM »

the only thing with that was I was only going about 20 mph when the engine finally cut out and I heard it only momentarily after it stopped? Oh well. As long as it *doesn't* sound like an engine thing, and I'm free to ride, I'm going to keep riding it like I stole it.

Hush · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2009, 06:33:11 PM »

You didn't just run over a coyote before this occured did you, look up under rear guard for crumpled Wylie!

Can't say I've ever heard a howl, but I do know that feeling of "should I ride it, will I damage it"?
When my cam chain didn't tension correctly last time I got this really weird sound like exhaust leak happening....made the old sphincter contract somewhat.

Keep riding like you stole it girl, Clymer doesn't cover "WOOHOO's" so obviously not serious.

edbikerii · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2009, 07:13:13 PM »

Fuel tank vent

edbikerii · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2009, 04:45:14 AM »

So, what was it, Kit?

razor02097 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2009, 05:01:27 AM »

Sometimes when Rina needs fuel she will howl on acceleration... For some reason the fuel tank will echo... never does that other then right before reserve. Didn't know if that is the case with all 650's or just mine $:-\$

Frankenkit · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2009, 09:44:54 AM »

still dunno but I'm not worried about it. Actually I haven't heard it since I took out the inline filter, come to think of it. Not sure if that's related at all.

754 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2009, 09:52:23 AM »

Dont listen to Warren Zevon on the Ipod when you ride..

Frankenkit · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2009, 10:06:20 AM »

har har.

actually, it's kind of funny. These bikes are theoretically known for having noisier running engines- mine sounds like a sewing machine- albeit a very loud one. ...but I still worry over every little new noise I hear. It's sad, I know, but true. ...so I started just listening to the ipod really low with skullcandy ear plug earphones in. (with the helmet I'm wearing now, wind noise can get so that at 50mph I don't hear my bike at all, just the wind) and the balance is perfect. I hear the engine, but not all the little noises, I hear the wind and stuff around me, and if I really listen, the music covers the background. Kinda nice. Just to be sure, I held a conversation with someone before riding my bike off, so I know I can hear pretty much my full range- I don't want to be 'surprised' by any cagers I couldn't see or hear.

Spanner 1 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2009, 10:25:00 AM »

Your bike is just delighted to get out of the stable and can't resist the occasional WOOHOO!
( +1 on the gas-cap vent ).

MJL · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2009, 10:29:59 AM »

Quote from: Kit on May 30, 2009, 05:36:26 PM

the only thing with that was I was only going about 20 mph when the engine finally cut out and I heard it only momentarily after it stopped? Oh well. As long as it *doesn't* sound like an engine thing, and I'm free to ride, I'm going to keep riding it like I stole it.

If the engine stopped and you were moving and could hear it, it wouldn't be the engine.

Or maybe it is the exhaust...

Side note, I almost aborted a 60 mile ride once when my face shield vibrated against my helmet loudly and I didn't know what it was.

Hush · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2009, 05:50:15 PM »

So only dumb guys who ignore stop signs are fitting them?
The young fellas here in NZ used to fit screamers into the very ends of their pipes in the 60's, you drill a hole top and bottom of the very end of your pipe then slide in a slightly longer S shaped gadget made from junk tin, fad, lasted a year at most.

coldright · « **Reply #15 on:** July 01, 2009, 05:59:43 PM »

So you first heard it when you were stopped at a bus-stop?? Doesn't this eliminate all the wind possible options? Next time you hear it at a stop, pull over and run your ear over the bike.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #16 on:** July 01, 2009, 09:32:45 PM »

no I heard it as I was slowing to a stop. sound is over by the time I'm motionless.
Again, I don't hear much of it now at all.

I do hear a mechanical noise like when one puts a car in reverse and drives it (pitch rises as rpms/speed rise) when the engine's under load, like just starting or in 2nd. Never hear it above 3rd or 35ish mph. I don't think it's an abnormal sound, though, because I've heard it so much in cars that are perfectly fine.

razor02097 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 02, 2009, 05:19:01 AM »

Quote from: Kit on July 01, 2009, 09:32:45 PM

no I heard it as I was slowing to a stop. sound is over by the time I'm motionless.
Again, I don't hear much of it now at all.

I do hear a mechanical noise like when one puts a car in reverse and drives it (pitch rises as rpms/speed rise) when the engine's under load, like just starting or in 2nd. Never hear it above 3rd or 35ish mph. I don't think it's an abnormal sound, though, because I've heard it so much in cars that are perfectly fine.

Yep its normal. I noticed the sound after putting on a quiet exhaust

coldright · « **Reply #18 on:** July 02, 2009, 08:58:55 AM »

Thank goodness it's normal, I was beginning to think you had the ghost of Alan Ginsberg in your bike. HOWL.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #19 on:** July 02, 2009, 09:51:18 AM »

Arrrrooooo! Werewolves of Honda!

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Author Topic: Some kind of howling? (Read 2286 times)