I've searched and can't find anything that sounds similar to the issue I'm having. 2011 RG Custom, that has developed a sound coming form the front end. Here's the low down. It sounds like a single out of tune guitar string getting plucked. No resonance though, just the single sound. To add to the WTH factor it only happens when I'm walking the bike backward and is a little louder when the bars are turned. No tracking or handling issues. I've checked to see if any of the cables were hanging up on something and everything is clear. If anybody has heard of anything similar and has a direction they could point me in I'd appreciate it.

I'm getting ready to pull the calipers and inspect them and the pads but short of finding something there I'm stumped.

 

I'd raise the front wheel and slowly rotate see if I can track it down.

mike

 

bearing issue?

 

Possibility. I'll check those too. I'm thinking if it were the bearings though I'd have noise in both directions of wheel travel and it'd be more constant.

 

Does it happen every time you change direction? Like if you rock back and forth, does it repeat itself?

 

You are headed in the right direction with checking the calipers abd rotors. Also check the bearings as said before. If your bike has alot of miles, you may want to change the bearings regardless

 

Before I jack it up I'll try to see if I can get it to do it in the same spot.

 

thats what i thought = bearing.

 

This figures. Can't get it to do it again, even once. Had it up and down the driveway numerous times trying to recreate it with no luck. Such is the problem with intermittent noises. Time to throw it up on the jack and see if that reveals anything.

 

That sound could very easily be brake pad vibration/rubbing ... even at walking speed.