Weird sound coming from the front of my bike?

82 XJ550 Maxim

It sounds fine, but when I get to around 30 or so mph there's a strange, sqeaking sound that comes from (what sounds like) the front of my bike. Kinda sounds like bearings in a fan or something. I have engaged my clutch then to see if its from my engine itself, and the sound persists. As my speed drops below (say) 25ish or so, it stops as though nothing was wrong. The pitch never changes, either. Its a steady sound (for the most part). I am very nieve when it comes to bike maitenence, so any help would be appreciated. It might be happening at higher speeds, but wind prevents me from hearing it properly.

 

Gently apply some front brake. If the noise goes away, check the calipers to make sure they are releasing all the way.
Still there? Check the front wheel bearings.

Dan

 

I was thinking the front wheel bearings (or some bearings), but if that were the case, why is it the sounds is either there or not, there is no "ramp up" to the sound, nor does the pitch change? Would it not do that?

 

Let's not jump to conclusions, just yet.
Ride the bike and try the "squeeze test" very gently, when it's making the noise. Try not to even change speed. Note any changes in the sound.

Bearings or any other noise like you describe are creating a harmonic vibration. The noise may require just the right set of sympathetic vibrations to become audible to you.
Take a dog for a ride, maybe he can hear it before you do! (just kidding)

Remembering that you are riding a very old bike, you may want to rebuild the front calipers & front wheel bearings regardless.

Dan

 

Buy an aerosol can of Disc Brake Kleen.
Spray the Front Brake Caliper and especially the Brake Pads and surrounding area very thoroughly

If the spraying has any affect the noise is Brake Pad Squeal ... which I highly suspect.

Very easily eliminated.

Remove the Front Pads and ... "Chamfer" ... the sharp Leading Edges on the Pads away.
You simply round-off the sharp Right-Angle which contacts the Brake Rotor at 90-Degrees.
With the sharp edge eliminated from the Chamfering ... the Pad and Rotor will no longer have the condition that causes them to squeal.

Remove the Point of the Right Angle on the Pads ... all the way around.
Take care not to inhale the dust created.
Some Pads still contain Asbestos which is a known Carcinogen.

www.wak-tt.com/tt/tt_docs/brakesqueal46-97-01.pdf

 

On my first ride I discovered that my bike does the same thing. It explained why the PO handed me a set of brake pads when I picked up the bike.

 

Okay, so I went out for a ride today, and finally the sound happened, so I applied the front break and it did not change anything about that sound. Furthermore, I am starting to notice that as I am going (30 or so), and I engage the clutch to quiet the engine, I am noticing a knocking, clicking sound that is rhythmic and slows down as I slow down, so I am more concerned about bearings now. I am still waiting for my book for fixing the bike (should be here by end of the week). How hard is it to replace wheel bearings?

 

Check the speedo cable and the drive hub in the front wheel.

 

Wheel bearings don't knock.
Wheel bearings whine.

Worst case scenario ... you'd think you were on a Police Bike with an Old Fashioned Siren.

Have somebody hold down the back of the bike so you can rotate and try shaking the front wheel side-to-side.

Spin the wheel fast and listen.
Hear anything?
Probably not.

Spin the wheel ... slow!
Look for something stuck in the tread.