'97 ZX9R - Whine at 80km/h

[WanaGo]

I had a similar issue with a GS1000s.

Tire(s) on smooth asphalt roads was found to be the issue. Some tires worse than others.

Plus or minus speeds it doesn't happen ... pull the clutch in and you hear it clearer, not louder.

On coarse chip roads it seldom occurs.

Yeah bloody annoying. Sadly this one isnt as simple as Tires. Did it with my old tyres too, and does it on all surfaces every time.

[WanaGo]

Kawasaki parts from japan (I order from Motorad) are not too bad, maybe two weeks tops

Thanks - I have emailed them for a quote already, waiting for a reply.
Cheers

[FJRider]

Yeah bloody annoying. Sadly this one isnt as simple as Tires. Did it with my old tyres too, and does it on all surfaces every time.

Get either a louder exhaust or faster through "The zone" ...

[WanaGo]

Get either a louder exhaust or faster through "The zone" ...

Ive had the issue since 2012 and its getting worse, so if it is a bearing its at risk of shitting itself completely, and that would not be fun.
Time to fix I think

[FJRider]

Ive had the issue since 2012 and its getting worse, so if it is a bearing its at risk of shitting itself completely, and that would not be fun.
Time to fix I think

At least then the whine will stop ...

[AllanB]

The only other thing I recommend is when you start doing stuff, do one thing at a time - ie - replace just the front wheel bearings then road test - still a noise, change the rear. If fixed it was rear bearings, if still there it was not wheel bearings but they were probably due soon anyway

Move on the the next.


Actually, I am wondering about your chain and sprockets ..... you may be able to do a cheat check here but setting it slightly loose (or tight) then ride and see if the noise has moved or gone.


And Katmans filler idea - part blocked breather starting to whistle? But a blocked cap breather usually causes fuel starvation.

[Katman]

And Katmans filler idea - part blocked breather starting to whistle? But a blocked cap breather usually causes fuel starvation.

The ZX9 has a fuel pump.

[WanaGo]

Yeah I will do 1 at a time, really want to know what thing it ends up being!

I didnt get out for a ride tonight, wife was home late and no one to look after the kids. I am going out tomorrow morning though, and will do the fuel lid closed/open test. I already adjusted the chain to be a little tighter, so will see if the noise has changed at all, and then open the lid and continue on.

If its the tank making that noise.... gee wizz.
Im doubting it will be, but I would love if it was.

Yawn - bed time.

[T.W.R]

It doesnt matter what gear your in, what RPM, clutch in or out, the noise is there at 80km/h, +/- about 5km/h around that.
When you pull the clutch in, the whine sound volume increases.

You isolated the issue right there, the loaded & unloaded pressure on the drive line....clutch in = less load from the engine & transmission causing more float/movement on one or two things.....output shaft or sprocket hub

The ZX9 has a fuel pump.

Which will display the same symptoms as starvation if it's trying draw fuel out of a tank that has a blocked vent...volumetric equalization. Fuel tanks aren't bladders that shrink when their contents are removed

[Katman]

Which will display the same symptoms as starvation if it's trying draw fuel out of a tank that has a blocked vent...volumetric equalization. Fuel tanks aren't bladders that shrink when their contents are removed

I've seen a few fuel tanks that have deformed their shape due to the fuel pump sucking while the breather is blocked.

So fuck off with your face palm.

[T.W.R]

I've seen a few fuel tanks that have deformed their shape due to the fuel pump sucking while the breather is blocked.

So fuck off with your face palm.

that'll be the cerebral vortex between your ears from too much kush

get back to the kitchen bitch, you're burning another batch

[jato]

What i've sometimes done with weired noises/vibrations like this is get it (fairly securely) up on blocks and then get it cranked up to the 80 km/hr and almost certainly you'll be able to hear/feel where the trouble is. you'll need a mate to help of course and watch it doesn't "jiggle" off then dissappear on you...If you still can't pin point it take the chain off. Be careful. sometimes hanging them from the roof with truck tie downs is safest...Be careful

[Grumph]

What i've sometimes done with weired noises/vibrations like this is get it (fairly securely) up on blocks and then get it cranked up to the 80 km/hr and almost certainly you'll be able to hear/feel where the trouble is. you'll need a mate to help of course and watch it doesn't "jiggle" off then dissappear on you...If you still can't pin point it take the chain off. Be careful. sometimes hanging them from the roof with truck tie downs is safest...Be careful

A pit stand and two extra people works too...

[AllanB]

If its the tank making that noise.... gee wizz.
Im doubting it will be, but I would love if it was.

Hmmm tank - it could ......... maybe........ be worn tank rubber mounts that at smack on 80km start doing funky harmonics. But that usually manifests itself as a vibration and/or hum not the sound you describe. However - easily checked by squeezing the tank with your knees when it's making the noise to see if it changes.

[WanaGo]

Yeah not tank rubbers.
Not fuel cap/lid either.
Doesnt seem to be chain, different tightness is much the same.
Not helmet, new one arrived.
Back to the bearings.
Wheel bearings arriving tomorrow.
New sprockets and chain coming likely tomorrow too. Front sprocket looks decent still but will swap it out anyway and keep spare.
If all that fails ill order the output shaft bits.

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