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Front End "Chirping"

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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 08:19 PM
  #1  
Chas63's Avatar
Chas63
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Default Front End "Chirping"

I recently bought a used 2005 EGC (pictured below). I like it a lot, but a couple of days ago, I began to notice a "chirping" sound which seems to be coming from somewhere in the front end of the bike.

It seems to happen only at relatively slow speeds and only at certain rpm's. The sound is kind of like a cross between a "chirp" and a "squeal". It's a little like the sound that a fan belt makes on a car.

Anyone have any suggestions where this sound may be coming from and what, if anything, I might do about it?

Thanks.
 
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 08:41 PM
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I may be shooting in the dark but my RK had the same problem after I put new front pads on it.

Found out I had the front brakes adjusted just a tad to tight.

Loosened them up ever so slightly and the chirp went away.

Just a thought,

Krusr
 
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 08:45 PM
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..the infamous "chirping sound" at low rpms is almost always related to belt tension...check the belt and see if it's loose...or too tight...
 
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Old Nov 28, 2008 | 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by krusr
I may be shooting in the dark but my RK had the same problem after I put new front pads on it.

Found out I had the front brakes adjusted just a tad to tight.

Loosened them up ever so slightly and the chirp went away.

Just a thought,

Krusr

I maybe old and very stupid, but could you explain how you adjust disc brakes?
 
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 10:21 AM
  #5  
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1ADAM12
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How do u adjust the front brakes?
 
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 10:49 AM
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Chirping is likely a belt issue as stated above. Squealing on the front end is likely a harmonic vibration coming off the front brake pads, cronic on some models. Test for pad squeal while scoot is moving by applying front brake and noting change of or elimination of sound condition. Remedy for pad squeal is removal, cleaning and spraying with "Disc Brake Quiet" or similar product. Good luck and happy trails...

PS: As far as I know pads are self adjusting.
 

Last edited by StrongIslander; Nov 29, 2008 at 10:53 AM.
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 10:51 AM
  #7  
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My money is on the muffler hangars under the saddle bags. Mine started chirping and it took forever to find what it was. The sound travels all over the bike and is hard to locate. It will bounce off your fairing and sound like it's coming from the front.

The mufler hangar allows for the pipe to slide back and forth for vibration and expansion. It will dry out and squeak and chirp like crazy. If you hear it at idle, get off your bike and apply a little pressure to the end of the pipe with your boot. If it stops, you've found it.
 
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Bluesssman
I maybe old and very stupid, but could you explain how you adjust disc brakes?
+1?
 
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 12:54 PM
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My RKC did the same thing. It would chirp at low rpm's and then it would quit after a good warm up. It happened to be the front exhaust was slightly loose at the manifold. I tightened the 2 nuts at the manifoldand problem solved.
 

Last edited by Cajun King; Dec 1, 2008 at 09:26 AM.
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Old Nov 29, 2008 | 01:04 PM
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It sounds like you have the same sound that I'm experiencing on the front of my '07 Ultra. It's especially noticeable when you go by tall vegetation on the sides of the road. To me it sounds like a bunch of crickets in the distance. I suspected it was the brake pads also, so I tried applying the front brake just a little and the noise went away. Figured it was another weird Harley anomaly that was "unfixable". I may try the brake pad spray if others have had success with it.
EGK
 
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