Author Topic: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!  (Read 2279 times)

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Offline JP cb750

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Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« on: August 27, 2010, 06:25:07 AM »
Just wanted to run this by you guys and see if anyone had a clue as to what my problem may be. I rode into work this morning and about halfway to the office when I was coming to a stop I noticed a strange noise, like something is rubbing together as it only made the sound when the bike was moving and got faster and slower with speeding up and slowing down. I couldn't really notice it when I was going over 30mph.

No sound when sitting at idle and it does it whether or not the break is being applied.

Once I got to the office I checked to see if my tires were worn down at all from rubbing against anything but I couldn't see any wear at all. The only thing I saw was my chain being somewhat close to my center stand but I didn't notice any wear on the chain.

The bike is still running fine as far as the engine is concerned. I didn't notice any issues in power at all.

I ride a 72 cb750 K2

Any help is appreciated!
1972 Honda cb750

The Dirtys Motorcycle Club
Atlanta, GA

Offline ekpent

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2010, 06:28:57 AM »
Have you tried putting it up on the center stand if you have one and rotating the tires yet.May need someone to hold the back down to check the front.

Offline KB02

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2010, 06:29:10 AM »
Is it a nice, smooth rubbing sound, or does it have a bit of vibration to it? The latter would indicate a chain rub.

Any chance of a sound clip?
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Offline Johnie

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2010, 06:34:43 AM »
I was thinking wheel bearings at first. Chain tension? Agree, put the bike on the center stand and spin the wheels to maybe create the sound. 
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Offline axe

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2010, 06:36:21 AM »
Is your front caliper sticking, perhaps?

Offline JP cb750

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2010, 06:54:30 AM »
I was planning on riding across the street to the bank parking lot on my break and putting it up on the center stand to see if I could get it to do it and record it. I will follow up when I get the chance. Thanks for the suggestions so far!
1972 Honda cb750

The Dirtys Motorcycle Club
Atlanta, GA

Offline JP cb750

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2010, 06:58:06 AM »
Also, it is not a grinding noise it is more of a softer humming noise and it isn't constant. It definitely involves the tires moving.
1972 Honda cb750

The Dirtys Motorcycle Club
Atlanta, GA

srook

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2010, 08:49:00 AM »
Chain rubbing chain guard or center stand?  Check wheel alignment and chain slack.
Scott

Offline JP cb750

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2010, 09:09:03 AM »
Well I figured it out. I got it up on the center stand and just spinning the tire with my hand I could hear it.

Turned out my right side chain tension bolt was loose for some reason and which resulted in the chain to rub the chain guard.

Thanks for all the help guys!
1972 Honda cb750

The Dirtys Motorcycle Club
Atlanta, GA

Offline MCRider

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2010, 09:14:44 AM »
Well I figured it out. I got it up on the center stand and just spinning the tire with my hand I could hear it.

Turned out my right side chain tension bolt was loose for some reason and which resulted in the chain to rub the chain guard.

Thanks for all the help guys!
That is an indication that your axle nut is not tight enough. The chain adjusters should be doing NO WORK once the axle is tightened up. You should be able to remove them completely and there would be no affect. CHECK YOUR AXLE NUT. Should be 75 ft lbs torque. That compares to 150 pounds on a 6 inch wrench or 75 pounds on a 12 inch wrench. Or 112 pounds on a 9 inch wrench.

This is a safety issue, dangerous condition.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2010, 09:16:22 AM by MCRider »
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"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline JP cb750

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2010, 09:23:46 AM »
The lock not on the bolt had come loose, which resulted in the bolt coming loose. As soon as I tightened it up and then tightened down the lock not the chain didn't catch anymore.

Unfortunately I don't have a wrench with me that is big enough to get on that axle nut but there is no wiggle in the rear tire. Hoping I can ride slow just down the street to the moto shop and borrow a wrench from them to check the axle nut when I get off work.

Thanks for the tip.
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The Dirtys Motorcycle Club
Atlanta, GA

Offline MCRider

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2010, 09:30:21 AM »
The lock not on the bolt had come loose, which resulted in the bolt coming loose. As soon as I tightened it up and then tightened down the lock not the chain didn't catch anymore.

Unfortunately I don't have a wrench with me that is big enough to get on that axle nut but there is no wiggle in the rear tire. Hoping I can ride slow just down the street to the moto shop and borrow a wrench from them to check the axle nut when I get off work.

Thanks for the tip.
To follow up on my warning, I understand what you are saying, And you've solved your noise problem. Just be aware that the chain adjusters are not designed to hold the wheel against pulling forces of the engine or braking forces.The lock nut is simply there to hold the adjuster bolt in position so it will still be there the next time you need it. As I mentioned once the axle is properly tightened, you could remove the adjuster bolts and carry them around in your pocket till the next time you needed them, but that's a little inconvenient.

The wheel is held in position exclusively by the axle nut.
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline JP cb750

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2010, 09:35:08 AM »
I definitely understand what you are saying and know that they don't hold the rear tire in place but at the same time if I just adjusted the bolt and it made the chain stop rubbing, they still serve a purpose and I didn't have any shaking in the rear tire at all for the whole 30 minute ride I had to my office this morning.

But I will definitely make sure my axle nut is properly tightened before I go riding more than 3 blocks down the road to the moto shop. Thanks for the help!
1972 Honda cb750

The Dirtys Motorcycle Club
Atlanta, GA

Offline MCRider

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #13 on: August 27, 2010, 09:43:14 AM »
I definitely understand what you are saying and know that they don't hold the rear tire in place but at the same time if I just adjusted the bolt and it made the chain stop rubbing, they still serve a purpose and I didn't have any shaking in the rear tire at all for the whole 30 minute ride I had to my office this morning.

But I will definitely make sure my axle nut is properly tightened before I go riding more than 3 blocks down the road to the moto shop. Thanks for the help!
You were lucky. The CB750 bolts are pretty heavy and can stand some abuse, moreso than the smaller models. I've seen many of these bolts on smaller models bent by hard acceleration when the axle was too loose. The wheel will cant and the result just depends on the rider's luck.

The bolts are not intended to do anything other than adjust the wheel, by design.

You're welcome.
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline AnthonyMichael

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #14 on: August 27, 2010, 07:50:40 PM »
I had a strange sound as well that only came out when I had a passenger on and we hit bumps. took a month to finally realize it was the center stand causing all that ruckus

Offline bjohnsonassoc

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #15 on: August 27, 2010, 07:56:18 PM »
Just a follow up, do you understand that the axle nut is supposed to be tight.

Offline seaweb11

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #16 on: August 27, 2010, 07:57:55 PM »
Well he did say this
"But I will definitely make sure my axle nut is properly tightened before I go riding more than 3 blocks down the road to the moto shop. Thanks for the help!"

Offline Spanner 1

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #17 on: August 27, 2010, 08:09:30 PM »
Well the axle nut is what 'fixes' the wheel in it's spot but I don't think Honda were relying on that only to stop the axle /wheel from moving forward under torque and chain stress... hence the 'chain adjuster' calipers that hold the chain adjustment via the adjusting bolts/locknuts which (normally ) stop the wheel creeping forward, even with a 'loose' axle nut ( common? , shouldn't be if there is a cotter pin in place ).
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Offline bjohnsonassoc

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #18 on: August 27, 2010, 08:47:55 PM »
Yes on the cotter but you can still put that in a loose nut.
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Remember kids, make sure you axle nut is tight before you go out for a ride.

Offline Spanner 1

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #19 on: August 27, 2010, 09:11:47 PM »
Most important thing is reality...... a loose axle nut will not cause the axle to move forward or 'cant' sideways if the adjuster bolts and their locknuts are set per specs. as the 'calipers' will not allow it. ;)
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Offline MCRider

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #20 on: August 28, 2010, 06:52:15 AM »
Most important thing is reality...... a loose axle nut will not cause the axle to move forward or 'cant' sideways if the adjuster bolts and their locknuts are set per specs. as the 'calipers' will not allow it. ;)
I respectfully disagree. I will never find an official confirmation of my position so I'll relate my experiences and you take it from there. If the axle is loose, the chain adjuster bolt will bend when put under load. Especially if it is extended in the adjuster bracket from a more than half worn out chain. IT simply is not designed to carry the load or act as a failsafe to a loose axle nut. We sold hundreds of chain adjuster bolts to replace bent ones from loose axles. Admittedly this happened mostly on smaller displacement bikes. I never saw it happen on the CB750.

I submit this is because the CB750 owners are more diligent about tightening the axle and that Honda did increase the size of the bolt and I think its is hardened on the CB750. It will stand more abuse. But nothing about the basic designs changed and I submit the intent of the engineers was that the adjusters should not be expected to hold the wheel in position by themselves. If you find yourself in a position where the adjuster has done that duty without failing, you are lucky.

With the axle at spec, 55 to 75ft lbs, this is a non-issue.

Other failures I have seen: On the CB750 style with the bolt going thru a bracket, The bolt will push its way backwards thru the threads of the bracket, stripping them out. On the adjuster style that is a banjo hole around the axle, with the neck of the banjo being a threaded shaft, with a pull nut to draw the wheel back, the threads of the shaft and nut will striip as the engine pulls the wheel forward.
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"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline Spanner 1

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Re: Strange sound when bike is moving. Help!
« Reply #21 on: August 28, 2010, 07:44:34 AM »
Yes, MC I believe your correct if the bike is run for any length of time with a loose axle nut the 'pull' of the chain snapping on and off with throttle variations would strip-out the adjuster threads..... my bad.
If your sure it's a carb problem; it's ignition,
If your sure it's an ignition problem; it's carbs....