Strange noises

Thought I'd reach out to see if anyone has had a similar issue.....

Went out riding my Bulldog the other day, and noticed a strange squeeling(sp) noise coming from under me, but really couldn't determine where. Sounded like it was coming from the primary side, but not 100% sure. Noise was intermittent and only occurred under very hard acceleration on the freeway (6th gear pinning the throttle). I'm suspecting perhaps a possible issue with the clutch, although it shifts fine, engages good and never makes a sound when I'm hotrodding around town.

This has only happened a couple of times, and again not consistent enough for me to determine exact location.:bang:

Has anyone else experienced similar issues? Had the bike for a little over a year now, and this is a first.

Thanks!!!!
 

JeffM

Active Member
Also look at your belt drive, mine squeeks after a wash or a ride in the rain.
Hard to determain where it comes from, put her up on your stand, spin the back wheel.
Then check all your bolts.
If it is the belt a small spray of lanolin should do the trick.
 

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
i will usually put a little bee's wax on both edges of the belt. easiest thing to get out of the mix so you can move on if it doesn't fix it.
 

Sven

Well-Known Member
Belt loose? They ride up over the sprocket. On the way as it moves into that tooth, it rides on the top edge and falls down in. Get it? So if the belt is kind of loose, that harmonic is the belt whipping over the teeth. I'd look at the crank sprocket for rubber content off the belt.

I believe the skid marks would show at the front wheel side of the crank sprocket, and at the highest part of the tooth look.
 

Chris04Masitff

Well-Known Member
Calendar Participant
i have an issue just like this. i dont have a belt . it is exactly like you describe... cant nail it down....
 
I'll take a look at the belt, but since it's right side drive strange how the noise would come from the opposite side. I just checked it back in February and seemed fine - perhaps it may need to be tightened up a little. Definitely wouldn't hurt.

I was concerned it could be a bearing starting to go........thanks for the feedback!!!:up:
 

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
the belt noise tends to have a habit of transferring to the left side for some reason. go figure.
 

bearman

Active Member
belt noise wouldn't happen only when you nail it in 6th, but with all acceleration in any gear. Sounds like it could be a vacuum leak, I would pull the air cleaner and make sure any vent hoses are tight and that the air filter is sealing against the cover good. If i didn't find anything then I would drain the primary oil to see what it looked like and pull the inspection cover to check the primary chain tension. if anything is amiss then pull the primary cover and see what it looks like inside.
 

thepearle

Active Member
when I had the squealing belt noise! It was my back wheel hub bolts backing out! They backed out far enough that one was just beginning to rub the frame! When I got my free back wheel [ the recall] they must have not locked-tite the bolts!
 

claw

Member
noticed a strange squeeling(sp) noise coming from under me, but really couldn't determine where. Sounded like it was coming from the primary side, but not 100% sure. Noise was intermittent and only occurred under very hard acceleration on the freeway (6th gear pinning the throttle). Has anyone else experienced similar issues? Had the bike for a little over a year now, and this is a first.

Thanks!!!!
I've been trying to find the cause of this same symptom for about 4 months now. Only on hard acceleration in 5th, and 6th gears. I've replaced the clutch,(Bandit), Checked all clearances in the primary, dressed the drive belt, checked the motor mount and still the same noise.

Now, are you ready for this? Yesterday, my left leg was in just the right place when the dog backfired through the exhaust, and I felt the pressure "POP" my left leg. Now I may be way out in left field here, but I'm thinking maybe when I accelerate hard, that the squeal I hear might be exhaust gas "squealing" past the exhaust gasket. I don't even know if thats possible, but I'm desparate. Gonna replace the gaskets on my next day off.

Damn, I hope that stops it......
 

Firedawg

New Member
The noise i hear is like a wire whip at the same moment that you are stating. An design engine builder told me that he had test rode a wolf in Europe and said that he heard a similar noise. He thought it might be part of the air metering system. Without being able to take it apart, he couldn't say for sure. I also adjusted the belt tension and alignment. The noise still occurs. I guess when it breaks then we will find out what the cause of the noise was. Until then it seems to run fine.
 
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Euge136

New Member
Chasing that noise Also

I have the same situation going with my Ridgeback. Sounds like it is coming from the front of the chaincase. When the engine is hot you can hear an occasional chirp while the bike is idling in neutral. Going down the road it can make a racket. Once in a while I will go away which makes me think it is internal. Pissin me off. Need it to go away before I will ride anymore. It can be that loud. :argue: Any help would be appreciated !~!
 

dnorris

Member
I have a 06 pitbull and had the same type noise. It was the upper motor mount bolt loose. Took it out put some more lock tight on and put it back in. No more noise. Well not until it loosens up again...!

Dane
 

homer

Member
I have a 06 pitbull and had the same type noise. It was the upper motor mount bolt loose. Took it out put some more lock tight on and put it back in. No more noise. Well not until it loosens up again...!

Dane
Picture of said bolt..by chance?
 
Thanks for all the feedback. Now, check this out.....

Last October, getting ready for a bike show in Norcal I took my doggie to a shop to get it dyno'd. Numbers were fair (not what I had expected) but I left with some good advise as far as mod's go. Couple of weeks later I was out riding and noticed my clutch creeping - knew right then the shop blew my clutch out and overheated the steel plates.
Now we're here in mid March - weather has been getting better and I'm getting ready to ride. Bikes been on a lift all winter after prepping for winter sit. Pulled clutch out last night and to my surprise the basket was loose!!! I've replaced clutches on other bikes before, and this is the first time I've seen a basket that "floats". I'm sure this is not normal, but since it's my first dog I wanted to check with others. I'm suspecting this may have been where the noise was coming from when I would accelerate under high load.....
Any ideas? Are the baskets in these bikes supposed to "float"? The hub is fine; just the basket is loose. Going to pull the hub today and check.

Thanks again!!!
 
You havent ridden it since 8/9/2012?
What the?
Put it on the stand in November......wasn't cold enough until then. Cali weather!!!

Update: may have found the noise....cracked carrier assembly on the clutch. Going to call Baker tomorrow and figure what they can do for me since it only has about 5100 miles on it.......better make me happy!

Will update when I get it put back together.:bang:
 
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