Chasing rattling noise
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,975
Likes: 5,213
From: Michigan
My noise detection devices:
Rubber mallet for when the bike is stationary, motor not running.
"Tap" on engine guards, foot pegs, floorboards, exaust pipes, etc until a strange noise is heard.
Piece of garden water hose, when motor is running.
With engine idleing, place one end of the hose to your (best) ear and use the opposite to scan the area where you think the noise is coming from.
Bike lift, multi-use.
Great for check tire air pressure, belt tension, spokes, wheel bearings, etc, and for cleaning your wheels, spokes and WW's.
Some strange incidents:
My wife's '99 Heritage.
An intermittent noise/rattle coming from the bike at freeway speeds.
Turned out to be the "hubcap" center hole had worn into more of an oval shape and would "bounce" on the axle at certain speeds.
(Found this little bugger with the rubber mallet).
My 2000 Ultra.
A "tiney) rattle coming from the front wheel area at low speeds.
Turned out to be a small piece of gravel had gotten inside of the chrome brake rotor cover and was bouncing inside like a dice on a roulette wheel.
(Found, when I had the bike on the lift cleaning the WW's).
Rubber mallet for when the bike is stationary, motor not running.
"Tap" on engine guards, foot pegs, floorboards, exaust pipes, etc until a strange noise is heard.
Piece of garden water hose, when motor is running.
With engine idleing, place one end of the hose to your (best) ear and use the opposite to scan the area where you think the noise is coming from.
Bike lift, multi-use.
Great for check tire air pressure, belt tension, spokes, wheel bearings, etc, and for cleaning your wheels, spokes and WW's.
Some strange incidents:
My wife's '99 Heritage.
An intermittent noise/rattle coming from the bike at freeway speeds.
Turned out to be the "hubcap" center hole had worn into more of an oval shape and would "bounce" on the axle at certain speeds.
(Found this little bugger with the rubber mallet).
My 2000 Ultra.
A "tiney) rattle coming from the front wheel area at low speeds.
Turned out to be a small piece of gravel had gotten inside of the chrome brake rotor cover and was bouncing inside like a dice on a roulette wheel.
(Found, when I had the bike on the lift cleaning the WW's).
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: Shelby, N.C.
I had a squeak that was driving me crazy. Found that it was the muffler. Tighten the clamp and checked the hanger bolts. Still squeaked!! Couldn't get it to stop. Was about to buy a new rubber isolation block for the hanger, but had my indie change my rear tire and he sprayed some type of lubricant on the block!! No more squeak! He said he does that everytime he changes a tire or has the saddlebags off. Saved me a few bucks! It's a common problem according to him. Hope this tip can help someone.
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