Forgot to mention this sound appair in all gears. Have tried to spin back wheel by hand on the main stand and engine cut. But cant hear anything this way. The speed must be over 25 km/h to hear it owling or whining this way.
Virago 1100 whining or screaming when throttle let off.
Hi, this is a 1998 1100 virago whith a noise (screaming or whining) when driving and letting the throttle off a little or much. It is noisy enough to be concerned. It's coming from front, just under me or in front area engine. I can hear it a little bit also on coasting, but not in acceleration.
Also this noise (similar) when driving and engine cut off. So I think back wheel spinning is moving something that makes this sound like an owl 🙄
I have changed and tested from another virago the front wheel, front brake, the rear wheel transmission and shaft, inner clutch house and yes also the speedo. So much work here without getting noise away. Also tried different engine oil types 👍
I do suspect parts from gear (output gear shaft ?) Or a bearing somewhere. The bearing in area front transmission shaft on rear wheel where the u joint is located is also suspecious, but the sound is from the front !!!???.
Gears, engine and bike is otherwise in good condition.
Hopefully someone can help me ??
Sverre in Norway
Also this noise (similar) when driving and engine cut off. So I think back wheel spinning is moving something that makes this sound like an owl 🙄
I have changed and tested from another virago the front wheel, front brake, the rear wheel transmission and shaft, inner clutch house and yes also the speedo. So much work here without getting noise away. Also tried different engine oil types 👍
I do suspect parts from gear (output gear shaft ?) Or a bearing somewhere. The bearing in area front transmission shaft on rear wheel where the u joint is located is also suspecious, but the sound is from the front !!!???.
Gears, engine and bike is otherwise in good condition.
Hopefully someone can help me ??
Sverre in Norway
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
is there any vibration with the noise? Or does it change if you hit a bump? If so I would suspect the u joints.Forgot to mention this sound appair in all gears. Have tried to spin back wheel by hand on the main stand and engine cut. But cant hear anything this way. The speed must be over 25 km/h to hear it owling or whining this way.
It really sounds like a gear or bearing on the output shaft to me. This is of course a huge internet guess.
Tnx reply, no not any special noice change in bumps or direction change. There are some vibration from gears slowing down when clutch in and coasting. But I have this also on my other virago 1100. Think thats normal ?But of course some change in bumps which because of minor speed change ? I just now tried with a 75 kg person as passenger, the noise is less 👍. I do also believe maybe the bearing where the u joint enter. The diff shaft will have an other angle with passenger on board. So maybe ? But strange I hear this sound from front. The passenger meant he heard some noise from u joint area.
Sverre
Sverre
There is no clunking sound at all. Only whine or owling constant following speedvariations.
sounds like you are narrowing it down nicely.Tnx reply, no not any special noice change in bumps or direction change. There are some vibration from gears slowing down when clutch in and coasting. But I have this also on my other virago 1100. Think thats normal ?But of course some change in bumps which because of minor speed change ? I just now tried with a 75 kg person as passenger, the noise is less 👍. I do also believe maybe the bearing where the u joint enter. The diff shaft will have an other angle with passenger on board. So maybe ? But strange I hear this sound from front. The passenger meant he heard some noise from u joint area.
Sverre
I've never had a shaft drive bike so my knowledge is limited on them.
You could try raising the rear and running it and listen for the noise with a long screwdriver to the ear or a mechanics stethoscope. I like the long screwdriver way, I've always found the stethoscope to be too loud for me to narrow anything down.
Let us know how it goes.
Totally difficult troubleshoot, especially if you're wearing a helmet.
"You could try raising the rear and running it and listen for the noise" [run a fan to avoid overheating engine]
Yes, excellent idea to isolate the problem! Run it on centerstand or rear wheel stand,
up to and over 25 km, and report whether you hear the howling sound.
If yes, that would rule out anything in the front wheel and the speedo.
Then use screwdriver/stethoscope, or have two friends walk around and listen to isolate the problem area.
If you can't pinpoint the area of problem, then you'll just be replacing parts until you get lucky.
1 guess: how close to the swingarm does the rear tire run; sometimes an oversized tire will swell under load and contact swingarm.
"You could try raising the rear and running it and listen for the noise" [run a fan to avoid overheating engine]
Yes, excellent idea to isolate the problem! Run it on centerstand or rear wheel stand,
up to and over 25 km, and report whether you hear the howling sound.
If yes, that would rule out anything in the front wheel and the speedo.
Then use screwdriver/stethoscope, or have two friends walk around and listen to isolate the problem area.
If you can't pinpoint the area of problem, then you'll just be replacing parts until you get lucky.
1 guess: how close to the swingarm does the rear tire run; sometimes an oversized tire will swell under load and contact swingarm.
Agree about the helmet confusing direction of sound. Maybe try bike without helmet on a sunny day ?
I have tried running on centerstand. Also spinning the rear and cut of engine. Unfortunately (or great ?) I cant hear the sound. Great because that can indicate the noise when or not the rear wheel is without load and angle or thrust on diff is different. I should have a mc dyno machine to test 🙄.
About the yoke, I understand this is possible to look at taking the swingarm away. There are needle bearings in the u joint or yoke. Also possible to take out the hole housing here to look at a bigger bearing. When it comes to the output shaft pinion gears you have to split the hole engine which is a big job. I do actually believe the noise is from here, but worth to try replacing the yoke and bearing in the housing first. Thats my guess.
I have tried running on centerstand. Also spinning the rear and cut of engine. Unfortunately (or great ?) I cant hear the sound. Great because that can indicate the noise when or not the rear wheel is without load and angle or thrust on diff is different. I should have a mc dyno machine to test 🙄.
About the yoke, I understand this is possible to look at taking the swingarm away. There are needle bearings in the u joint or yoke. Also possible to take out the hole housing here to look at a bigger bearing. When it comes to the output shaft pinion gears you have to split the hole engine which is a big job. I do actually believe the noise is from here, but worth to try replacing the yoke and bearing in the housing first. Thats my guess.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
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