Buzz from the rear of the bike

[crmoffet]

I have an '89 GL1500. I recently replaced the rear tire. I took the tire to a Honda dealer to have the new tire mounted on the rim, brought it back home, repacked the splines with grease, and, while I was at it, replaced the final drive oil. I used a synthetic but was warned that I should stick with a petroleum base gear lube and so drained it, flushed the drive with 80-90, and then filled the drive with the correct amount. Now, when I ride, there is a buzzing sound coming from the rear of the bike. I had the bike up on the center stand and ran it through the gears. I could hear it but am unable to locate it other than near the rear axle/ final drive area.
Has anyone else had this occur and what did you find?
Thanks,
Chris from WA state

[Rambozo]

Have bees made a hive in your luggage?

[crmoffet]

Hah! I wish it were that simple. Bees I can deal with. A buzz coming from somewhere is a bit vague. I guess buzz is not descriptive enough. It is not a grinding noise nor is it a whine. At slow speeds (from take off to approximately 1500 rpm) it starts as a clicking noise that increases in frequency. It seems to level out between 1500 and 2000 rpm. I had my wife ride along and she confirmed that it is definitely at the rear of the bike.

[DenverWinger]

Hold the speed where the Buzz is loudest, then shift to 2nd gear. You'll drop to around 1000 RPM but same speed in MPH. Does the buzz change, even if same speed?

[Rambozo]

You can also try rotating the rear wheel by hand to see if you can find a spot where it clicks.

[Rambozo]

At slow speeds (from take off to approximately 1500 rpm) it starts as a clicking noise that increases in frequency. It seems to level out between 1500 and 2000 rpm. I had my wife ride along and she confirmed that it is definitely at the rear of the bike.

Does the noise only happen when your wife is around?



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[crmoffet]

Yes, the sound changes pitch at different speeds/rpm. I have not been able to say that it is a speed or rpm thing. I tried rotating the rear tire with the bike on the center stand and was unable to say that the noise came from either the rear wheel or the final drive.

[gford]

did you replace the rear tire with a dunlop elite 4. The reason I ask is when I first put an elite 4 on my 99se I got a buzz from the rear tire when on certain road surfaces, My buddy put an elite 4 on his 2000 se and he had the same buzzing, Some surfaces were very loud and on other surfaces you couldn't hear anything.

[gford]

Here is what I went through

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=44925

[bbrackett]

step on the foot brake, does it stop ?
then check the caliper, could be pad's rattlin

[Charlie1Horse]

If you have changed the rear tire and this tire is a bit taller than the last tire there is a small mudflap up under the seat inside the fender that can touch the new tire and make noise. I have seen posts about tying this flap back a little with a zip tie to get clearance and stop the buzzing.
Russell

[crmoffet]

Thanks for all the input.
Yes, the tire is the Dunlop Elite 4 for Goldwings. I have had a previous set (front and rear) which I wore out, then put a new set on. It was this set where I got a cut on the sidewall (still not sure where it occurred) and the penetration was so small it slow leaked down to the point of instability. I was doing only 45 at the time instead of freeway speed. Anyway, the set was still new enough, I replaced only the rear and this is when I first noticed the buzzing whine. I don't remember it on the previous sets of new tires. Stepping on the brake only changes the frequency of the noise as the bike slows down. I have only about 50 miles on this new tire.
I'll continue to ride it and keep an ear out for any changes in the noise or with the bike.