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[DagoRed]

Hello all,

2005 Retro with 10,500 miles.  All fluids changed at 8K, new NGK iridium plugs, and Metz 880s front and back with 2500 miles on them.  I run 40 psi in the rear and 38 psi in the front and just changed the final drive oil.  I still need to check the valves.  Here's my Q:

At 55 MPH, and in 5th gear, I am hearing a constant harmonic thrum that goes away when I let off the throttle or pull in the clutch.  I don't hear it in 4th at the same speed.  The sound is only noticeable while there is a load, i.e. throttle, applied and it sounds as though it is coming from under the saddlebags, but I cannot tell a difference in sides.  I changed the final drive oil thinking it might be old and the sound did not change nor did it worsen.  I have not checked for play in the rear wheel yet either.  There are no performance issues and I cannot "feel" any vibration. 

Any help is greatly appreciated.  I just might be hearing something normal but wanted to pass it on to the experts for a review.  Ride safe!

DR

[skipppy75]

Do you ride with a windshield?

[hipshot]

SOUNDS LIKE THE DREADED 55MPH HARMONIC THRUMM!!!




Sorry, couldn't pass that up. The only way to diagnose that would be in person, but odds are something's loose -- exhaust heat shields, dash panel, engine cover, etc. Check everything for loose fasteners and try it in different gears at the same engine speed. There are way too many things it COULD be.

[hooter]

SOUNDS LIKE THE DREADED 55MPH HARMONIC THRUMM!!!

Well now that Jim's opened the gate:
JUST DON'T DRIVE 55 OR SING LOUDER WHEN YOU DO AND YOU WON'T HEAR THE DREADED 55MPH HARMONIC THRUMM
It could be your tread pattern on the rear tire and you just hadn't noticed the different sound since you put those Metz's on. I know my Avon's sing, whine, thrumm, or whatever you want to call it, different than my Dunlop's did. You may not notice the noise in 4th at 55 because the motor noise is drowning out the thrumm. Have you got a tach? If so check the RPM at 55 in 5th and then run the same RPM in 4th. Like Jim said, it could be a loose heat shield or something else and the motor vibrations at that RPM will set it off.   

[crow57]

Mine used to sometimes make a buzzing noise coming out of the headlight area somewhere.   Taking the baffles out of the pipes fixed it.

[DagoRed]

Yes, I knew it...the dreaded Yeti Thrum.   

I do ride with a 21" shield and I also thought it just might be the tread pattern on the rear tire after 2500 miles.  But what makes me undecided is that this Yeti goes away when the throttle is pulled off.  It is definitely not a rattle or clacking sound of any sort.  None of this means it is not the rear tire treads singing their song, I just wanted to make sure a thrumming sound wasn't a bearing or another spinning part that y'all had experience with and that I should look into further.

I tried removing the baffles as well and that left me with a ringing sound that was relieved with BEER.  Those went back in, but I kept my beer prescription.

[Cruiser]

I have the Hondaline windshield http://www.hondadirectlineusa.com/stores/product.asp?pid=1543&str=13&ID=873189137 and I get it from 67-73 mph. No noise before and after that. I've taken it apart cleaned it put it together and still there. I've even added gasket material to it and no help.
I'm just living with it and turning my MP3 up.

[skipppy75]

normally the windsield amplifies the sounds you hear

do you wear a helmet?

[Cruiser]

Helmet? Oh yeah but it seems like something isn't tight enough even though everything has been checked and double check everytime I've wash it for the past 5 years.
I guess as long as it does't fly off and hit me in the face it should be okay.

[snake]

Helmet? Oh yeah but it seems like something isn't tight enough even though everything has been checked and double check everytime I've wash it for the past 5 years.
I guess as long as it does't fly off and hit me in the face it should be okay.

I thought this was a 2005?? If it's a older, say 2002 or so, check the rear (especially the flange) bearings.

[Cruiser]

No it's an 03 that I bought in Nov of 02.
05? Did I  post it somewhere that I need to fix?

Let's see;
Vette - 98
Dodge Duelly - 04
Mustang - 07
Fusion - 07
Tracker - 97
Honda 150 - 05
Honda 230 - 05
Thor 5th wheel - 05
36' Cigarette - 04

Yup, it must be an 03.

[snake]

My bad, I had been thinking back to the original post which had said it was a 05, but of course, that was dago's bike I was thinking about.

[Cruiser]

Oh, okay. I thought I was losing it.

That for reaffirming my sanity... For now.

[Chad]

 I was reading your post and I think I red somewhere about tire pressure on the Metz 880s was 42 in the rear and 40 in the front to get the most miles out of them. Am I right about this?? 

[hooter]

Hell no! Are you from Millers Grove or something