strange noise from front end

I had my bike out for the last couple of days and it ran perfect. This morning I took it to work and it started to make a weird noise from the front. Sounds like the brake is rubbing or something. When I engage the brake the noise goes away and then comes back as I accelerate. Any thoughts?
1982 yamaha Maxim 750....

 

wondering if it could be wheel bearings? I put the bike on the center stand and had my daughter sit on the back so thr front wheel came off the ground.I moved the wheel side to side and its solid no lateral play. I spun the wheel and I can hear the brake pads on the rotor but not out of the ordinary.When I ride I can feel a little bit of what feels like "looseness" in the front. When I spun the wheel by hand I looked at the rotor and it does not seem to be warped. Im stumped!!!!!!!

 

You sure it's not the speedo drive, speedo cable or speedo itself? They can make an horrific noise when they pack up. And a sudden change in speed would tend to shut it up for a sec.

Make sure the caliper itself or the anti-rattle spring can't rub on the disc.

"Looseness" in the front is likely not related; you should be able to detect a wheel bearing issue with the test you described.

The "looseness" you describe could be steering head bearings or even worn rear shocks, believe it.

Just for kicks, disconnect your speedo cable (from the instrument) the next time it happens and see if it suddenly goes away.

 

My suggestion would be to pull the axle and check the bearings visually and give them a spin in the rim with your finger to feel for any grinding, looseness or dryness.

While you're there check the speedo gear for tightness too.

Maybe check that the callipers aren't jamming on the sliding pins too.

Just suggestions and things I would check if it was me, that is.

 

Both good ideas and I will look into them hopefully tomorrow. Is there any yearly greesing that needs to be done on this bike? I got it last year and rode for the summer with no isssues. It did sit in a cold shed all winter and I have not done anything yet.

 

Squirrels? 8O
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

Can you "Feel" it when you Pull the Brake Lever?

Look at the Front Pads.
Can you see the Wear Limit cut-out?

Start the Season off on New Brake Pads.
Chamfer the Leading Edges of the Pad.
De-glaze the Rotor with 800 Paper.
Rub both sides in a circular motion.

 

Squirrels with mad face--cmon dude....

I know it sounded like a dumb question what to do start of the season but my other bike prior to this was a new Ninja ZX6R. This is an old bike and I`m sure there are some key areas that should be looked at and I just want to be familiar. My ZX6R needed verry little to be road worthy at the start of the season and this is an entire diferent beast. Dont beat me up too hard.

 

@ mafia, just joking with ya. Lots of guys on here give great advice, if I can't offer any help then I have a tendency to try humour. Looks like this time it didn't work.
Hope you get it sorted, good luck!

 

Hey Maxim-X no worries I`m sort of a wise guy myself but I was in a bad mood and over reacted--my bad. I just want to be able to treat this old bike the way it deserves to be treated.

 

mafia, If you haven't done so already, you should really go through the bike and perform ALL of the maintenance procedures listed in the book. Most of the procedures are simple checks and inspections (like the steering head bearings, there's a "technique" involved) and some like carb cleaning, valve adjustment, and carb synchronizing are more complex. But YOU need to go through and do them all, since you have no way of knowing what was neglected.

With a bike this old, unless you're one of those rare original owners, you have no way of knowing what was done when it should have been and what wasn't. The original valve clearance check and other service was to have been done at 3000 miles. The interval after that is every 5000 miles. So even if your PO kept the bike serviced according to the book (highly unlikely) you're still 1000 miles overdue, right now.

Once the maintenance schedule has been "brought up to date" then the periodic things like you're asking about are generally minor.

 

No noise at all today so I am guesing it has something to do with cold weather.

 

Now I really think it's the speedometer.

But you still need to check your valve clearances. I got my '83 with 7100 miles on it, untouched (thankfully) and 7 of 8 were tight, two approaching critical.

 

Hey Bigfitz this bike is really starting to remind me of my 1972 porsche 914. Not much too it but lots to do all the time LOL. Is there a link to how to adjust the valves and how long does it take to do. The nice thing about my porsche is that the valve covers are held on with spring clamps and you can remove them several times without screwing up the gaskets. They had to be checked and adjusted every 3000 miles. If you have a link please send it.
Thanks

 

It's in "FAQ Suggestions" http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14827.html

Plus an "addendum" also in "FAQ Suggestions" http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29209.html

 

Just rebuilt my front brakes....I had a squeeking noise for quite a while only when I turned right sharply. My pads loved very good, since the bike only had a little over 8000 miles on it. I was doing a detail job on the rims this past weekend and noticed the left caliper were not even to the rotor. The problem was discovered when I replace the pads showing that one the break cylinders was rusted and not actuating had to work it loose by pushing it in and putting it back together a number of times, using 3 pints of very expensive break fluid. Quess what? No more chirping from the front end