noise and vibrations

I'm ready to pull out my hair. For some reason when I hit 5k rpm. my bike starts shaking like its falling apart, I'm hoping that its the front tire needing balancing which I'm doing Sunday. However, there is a noise that goes along with the vibrating that is driving me crazy, and I can't for the life of me figure out where it's coming from. It sounds like a ball bearing in a can going around and around very fast. I'm deaf in my left ear and can't seem to pin point where this is coming from. I've torqued down every nut and bolt that I can get too and its still there.
So, question 1 is if the tire is not out of balance what could cause this vibration?
question 2 is what the f..k could this noise be, I would appreciate any news good or bad.
Thanks guys

 

I would start with the tire, but if it persists, look at the engine

 

not to be rude in any way but ask someone who isn't deaf to take it for a ride maybe its coming from the side that you can't hear... ?? you never know a secound opinion might solve your problem... : )

 

noise = shaky mirrors or foot pegs?

my rattle once i hit about 3k

 

Exhaust systems can make horrible noises. My MaximX would make horrible sounds around 3 to 4 k rpms, turned out to be one of the exhaust pipes had a cracked inner lining. Remember most of the XJ stock exhaust pipes are double walled.

 

Shaking like its falling apart??? tyres pressure, bad tyres, wheels balanced, head bearings tensioned or replaced, swing arm bearings tensioned or replaced ( I was once thrown off a bike coz of bad swing arm bearings, real bad tank slapping wobble at about 70 mph) bent frame, which I wouldnt pick unless it was obvious, or any of the above?? Noise crazy....broken collector box to frame mount,or missing bolt maybe.

 

speedo and a mechanic tach can make a awful noise, too.

 

hmm i have the same sound at around 4-5k in 1st and 2nd gear. Im thinkin maybe exhaust which i will find out soon when i switch the stock exhaust for my MAC exhaust

 

I have both brand new tires, well balanced, swing arm bearings have been replaced, I'm thinking the head bearings need replacing because the front forks will swing slightly on their own, not much but enough to make me want to change them. What is the collector box to frame mount? All bolts are accounted for, and torqued to spec. Frame is fine, noise I'm starting to think is as mlew said, I replaced the exhaust this spring with a set of used pipes off a parts bike. How do I check this without taking the tail pipes off and running open headers?
thanks for the great ideas.

 

I have both brand new tires, well balanced, swing arm bearings have been replaced, I'm thinking the head bearings need replacing because the front forks will swing slightly on their own, not much but enough to make me want to change them. What is the collector box to frame mount? All bolts are accounted for, and torqued to spec. Frame is fine, noise I'm starting to think is as mlew said, I replaced the exhaust this spring with a set of used pipes off a parts bike. How do I check this without taking the tail pipes off and running open headers?
thanks for the great ideas.

 

On my 750 the 4 header pipes go into the collector box under the engine, it is bolted to the bottom of the engine, the mount on mine broke once and made a buzzing noise. Dont know if yours is like that, I cant tell from your photo. The front forks should move freely side to side, that is by moving the bars, when on centre stand with someone holding the back of the bike down, but not back and forward// with someone still holding the bike down or sitting on the pillion seat try moving front wheel front to back should be no play. P.s. forgot to mention wheel bearings. Hope that helps as to possible causes.

 

flashlight and inspection mirror

 

its taken a while but finally figured out that its the cam chain needing to be replaced, the rattle is the chain making contact on the top of the valve cover.
since I'm taking the bike down to the frame this year, I'll repair it then.
thanks for all the great info guys

 

Sorry I didn't see this post earlier. Ive had my XJ550 since new and it developed a vibration that caused the mirrors to vibrate so badly that every image was a blurr at about 18 months and 4000 km. I adjusted the cam chain as it was noisey and the vibration left as well. Now if the vibration or the noise starts, adjusting the cam chain is my first procedure.