Hi Guys;

 I finally got to start and drive my 2 year project bike this year, if only for a few hundred metres. Quite a thrill. I am putting it all back together now but before I go any further I need to know what is going on with the shrieking whine in the starter-clutch housing.

I haven't, and can't right now, drive on the road, but sitting in the shop there is a light whine at idle that increases to an ear piercing shriek at 3500 rpm. I'm afraid to go faster sitting in my shop and I can't imagine what would happen if I go to red line. Some have suggested that this is normal for a brick that is not in motion and the gear aren't under load but the alternator is the only real load in this area.

I have removed the alternator and no change in the noise. Idon't know if it would be wise to start the bike and try to remove the starter while running; is there an easier way to unload the starter clutch? What else can I check?

 So do I ignore this (as earlier posters have suggested) in hopes that it will go away with use or, perhaps I won't notice it while driving and all the gears are under load, or, do I tear the rear end apart again now.  I'd rather not have to take everything all apart again next year.

I would appreciate any opinions.

Cheers

Ralph

Ralpjh

A whine but not a scream as you seem to have is normal. Remove the starter and check that the gear inside (you can reach it with a screwdriver) make sure it spins freely in one direction and not the other. Then if bike starts so we can assume that it is catching in the correct direction and not working in reverse and driving the starter at 2,000,000 revs.

With a noise as you describe it is difficult to diagnose without hearing it.
Also a good idea is to put the model and year in your signature line. That way you don't need to tell us all the time and we dont need to go looking.
It doesn't make any difference for this problem but in the future it could help.

If you have a video camera or even a phone with a video camera, I suggest a quick video clip to help the trained ears here with a diagnosis. 10-15 sec shouldn't take too long to upload to youtube.

Just a thought from a sound recordist.

Jez

Thanks for the good ideas. I removed the alternator, sound doesn't change. I removed the starter; clutch is well lubed and is free in one dir'n and locked in the reverse dir'n. I then started the bike and removed the starter; clutch is stationary when the bike is running and noise does not improve.
So with some difficulty I learned how to record a video and upload it to u-tube.



 Please have a listen, the whine becomes a shriek at around 3000 rpm. I wish I could take her on the road to see what happens under a load; perhaps all is well. What do the trained ears think?

 
Thanks

Ralph

Welcome to the forum Ralph.

Sounds to me to be normal.

Strange whirrs chirps and farts are what mine has always done.

I was concerned about the same....about 20K miles ago and a year and a half ago.

Brakes are Ok?

If so...Go ride it around some...
Get in it.  Let it sing.

....not meaning to hi jack Ralphs thread/inquiry....

I have always had a shrill/sharp....(not screaming... noise that was read about here as a result of the fuel pump.

I've never accepted this.  It is air/fuel induction noise. My ride makes different noises according to engine speed and I don't believe that the fuel pump dictates that.

Regards....
JimK....just off of mine in 0 deg C clime and looking for those plug in warm vest articles....

keeper2 wrote:Thanks for the good ideas. I removed the alternator, sound doesn't change. I removed the starter; clutch is well lubed and is free in one dir'n and locked in the reverse dir'n. I then started the bike and removed the starter; clutch is stationary when the bike is running and noise does not improve.
So with some difficulty I learned how to record a video and upload it to u-tube. https://youtu.be/ka8mw8nO0sU Please have a listen, the whine becomes a shriek at around 3000 rpm. I wish I could take her on the road to see what happens under a load; perhaps all is well. What do the trained ears think?

 
Thanks

Ralph

The high pitched whine is a normal noise but yours is quite a bit louder than the usual. I have heard many opinions on the source of the whine but have never been able to track it to any one thing however I do believe it to be a gear interaction whine.

Mine makes the same noise but a lot lower level. Hopefully nothing serious.

Hi there welcome to the forum 
Your bike sounds ok to me i would ride it and see if it gets any worse

yep sounds about right to me

other bmw riders can pick a k  from a long ways off because of this noise .
I wonder if it being naked has a bit more throw of the noise than what we are all used to hearing ?

Here's a video of mine. 



Keep in mind my camera is mounted to the outside of the windshield and that the wind noise is drowning out the sounds of the bike. It has sounded this way for the last 34000 miles I have put on it. I would say yours sounds about right.

All sound good to me.

Der Zieg - You are so lucky to have lovely open uncongested roads 

Conclusive proof for you that all is ok, I watched your clip and my dog went running outside thinking I was there starting my bike up. When you are on the road I think that the noise will not be so  noticeable to you.
Cheers RT

RT wrote:Conclusive proof for you that all is ok, I watched your clip and my dog went running outside thinking I was there starting my bike up. When you are on the road I think that the noise will not be so  noticeable to you.
Cheers RT

   

Thanks everyone; I am now inspired again. I had convinced myself that everything was OK but there was just that niggling feeling that something was going to blow up. I am now smiling, looking forward to buttoning up everything and heading out on the road, burps, farts, whines and all.

Thanks so much

Ralph