[GulfCoastDave]

Hi Guys,
I've been riding my '78 20 - 30 miles a day... There is a noise and I'm at my wit's end trying to find it's origin.
Here goes:
It's a "jingling" sound. At first I thought it was from the 4 keys on my key ring... bouncing around. I got rid of all the keys except the ignition key and it was still present.

It occurs at a certain engine rev/harmonic... mid to higher revs in particular. It does not occur under engine loading ( does not have any characteristics of an engine that is pinging). I will hear it when I hit a pot-hole or series of road imperfections. I cannot generate it by revving the engine while stationary... only when moving. It sounds like it is originating from the right side... low & toward the front.
I have inspected all exposed nuts & bolts. It is nothing in the headlight. I've tried keeping the front brakes squeezed to eliminate the disc pads. I took the tank off & found nothing touching or loose. The front fender & bolts are all tight.

Imagine the sound of 4 or 5 keys on a key ring jingling. It is becoming more pronounced by the day.

Anybody out there have any ideas?

Best regards,
Dave
:???:

 

[Mecchanica]

I would suspect baffles in the muffler.

 

[OzBloke]

Take a look at the front mudguard upper support bracket, underneath the mudguard and between the forks. Mine broke the front portion off through vibration, and the bits of metal rattling around underneath the mudguard sounded just as you explain.

 

[theelderrocker]

Does your front caliper have a chrome cover?

Mike
Kansas, America

 

[GulfCoastDave]

I removed the right side silencer, shook it & banged it against a tree... nothing loose inside.

I removed the front fender & it's brackets and the chrome disc brake cover... took the bike for a test ride... the same noise is still present.

I will check the left side silencer... even though the sound seems to be coming from the right.
Any other ideas?
Thanks in advance,
Dave :???:

 

[peintremondain]

is your chain ok?it can be noisy when too slack (knocking on the chain guard)
ben

 

[GulfCoastDave]

Chain is fine Ben... adjusted to spec.
Thanks,
Dave

 

[panda]

I know wrong side, but primary chain ???
or washer on tank bolts...although these tend to sound 'hard'

 

[OzBloke]

GCD,
Do you have a large washer under the steering nut in the middle of the top steering yoke? There's not supposed to be one there, and if there is, it'll be loose.

 

[Mecchanica]

This is way out there, but perhaps the fork springs are rattling in the tubes? Easy check, take the cap off, the spring out and wrap in in a couple of wraps of saran wrap and some tape. Reinstall and see what happens. I guess you would have to replace the springs if they are the problem.

 

[KADUTZ]

had the same noise on my 78
It was the gas tank :-D
By the way bike key ring is key ring LIGHT KEY FOB Ign Key &
Steering Lock Key only any more and you will (over the long term)damage the switch.

 

[GulfCoastDave]

OK Guys... I found it. It was, as OzBloke suggested, under the steering nut. It was actually not a large washer though... it was a thin metal cap ...I guess which serves to help contain the steering head grease. Though I had not done anything to the steering head recently and nothing was loose, it seems this metal piece suddenly decided to begin bouncing up & down ... making a jingling noise. I can only guess that with grease present, the cap stayed put. As the grease frittered away, the underside of the cap became dry, permitting the movement that caused the sound.

Thanks to all who made suggestions and especially to Pete who so often nails it.
Dave

 

[johnnypence]

i'm so glad you found it! i was losing sleep!

[ This message was edited by: johnnypence on 2006-12-13 18:47 ]

 

[GrandPaulZ]

TIME TO RE-PACK YOUR STEERING BEARINGS!!!!

 

[Ophthos]

Hey Oz:


:bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

PS: Great stuff on wiring in the downloads section. A must read.