Sounds Like Electric Car in 5th.

[DarkDevil]

Exactly as the subject says, my bike sounds like an electric car when it's in 5th. No, not silent... but it has that medium-high pitch rrrrrr noise. It may be in all gears, but I can generally only hear it in 5th. I think i've heard it in 4th.. but it's nothing memorable.

So whats the problem here?

Could it be my clutch rubbing?
Am I shifting to 5th to soon?
do my carbs need syncing?

I don't know how to troubleshoot a sound problem...

[robinjo]

The set of gears used in 5th are probably worn out.

[tfb]

Sounds like you may be through the hardening on the gear. What you could do is drain some oil, and see if metal is ending up in the oil.

To do this, look at the oil in the sunlight or other bright light. If you can see small reflective particles suspended in it (kind of like 'metalic'-looking shampoo) then that whining 5th gear is the likely source.

If so, nothing for it but to remove the engine, split the crankcases, and replace the worn gear (and you might as well do any other worn looking items while you're at it).

How many miles are on the clock?

Mike.

[ZacharyB]

Re: Sounds Like Electric Car in 5th.

Check your tire. Rev the bike up to cruising speed in 4th or 3rd then pull in the clutch and duck behind a windshield or the instrument cluster to decrease wind noise. The pitch would still be there if it's the tire. My car has extremely noisy tires that for a while I thought was engine or gearbox noise... until I put it into neutral at 70 mph.

This wouldn't necessarily mean something is wrong with the tire, just that certain tire design makes a strange noise rolling over asphalt under weight.

[Anonymous]

You guys are scaring me. My bike does the same thing.

Steve

[DarkDevil]

I ride in neutral all the time and haven't noticed anything. I'll do a little bit of troubleshooting. Any gear replacements will have to be done in the winter. I can't go a week or so without my bike. As long as it doesn't give me any problems. We'll see what happens with my troubleshooting though.

edit: and its about 34-36000km. I forget the exact number

[ZacharyB]

I just changed my chain and this noise appeared for me as well, but only above a certain speed. It's a noise from the unpowered driveline, like the tires or chain. Keep us posted and try different things, like putting your bike in fifth on the centerstand.