Whining 700 ....

[Spud]

Hi folks ...

I've done 5000 miles on my new 'Alp - it's my second one and love everything about it - except for one thing. There's a constant whining that sounds like it's coming from the tyres - yes I know it sounds ridiculous, but I'm always philosophical about these things and thought well if itwas the tyres it would probably disappear as they wore in. But it's still there. I can cope with wind noise as it's just par for the course but this is really starting to bug me.

Cannot fault this brilliant bike - does everything I want, touring, camping, town work, bit of green laning - no problems. It's one of the best workhorses I've ever had - but why is it whining?

Any thoughts on what it could be? Or do I need more earplugs, as the bike is here to stay.

Cheers

Spud

[Nareef]

hi Spud,

What tyres are you using and what pressure are you running them at?

Can't say I've notices any whining from mine.

[Yeti]

If its coming from the front check the spedo drive. They can get very dry at this time of year (quick squirt of WD40 at the plastic bits where it sits against the hub will cure it if you don't want to dismantle and grease, and check for any of your brake lines or speedo cable rubbing on the tyre or something like a piece of pop bottle wedged under your front mudguard? The big plastic protector on the brake pipes could be a culprit. Or worst case could be a self destructing wheel bearing running very hot and dry if installed badly at new (not likely).

Does the pitch change with wheel speed or engine revs? That would be a start to tracking it down. If it changes with bike speed alone then it is transmission/wheel based. If it changes with engine speed/revs alone then.....???????????? sure someone else can help.

On the other hand the resonant frequency of your spoked wheels might just be tuning you into Sarah Kenedy on Radio 2! ...........

........or that it was concieved post 1980 and believes that the state should do more to support it and its illegitimate offspring!

[Doug]

Mine does that too ! As was only discussing this today with someone. I asked another 700 owner and he put it down to my ears, so did the dealer when it went in for its first service. It starts aboyt 35mph and as wind noise increases it disappears or is masked by the wind. I came to the conclusion it must be the tyres which are the standard trail wings that came on it.

Just when I got used to it I am all fired up again now. If its just the tyres I'm not bothered as long as its not a bearing. Then again I bought it new and its always done it and so if the dealer cant fault it i just forgot about it. I might get someone else to ride it now though.

[StumpyFingers]

It could well be the tyres, an old Land rover can be heard for miles by the whine of its tyres.

[donkster]

its the trailwings

if you pull the clutch you'll hear no change in the whine, its not revs dependent, but speed dependent

if you put Anakees on the whine magically disappears

[Snaphappy]

Tyres, some are louder than others, try what donkster said pull the clutch

[Spud]

Thanks all for your replies

.... I'm pretty sure the problem isn't mechanical after checking the bike over many times and I've come to the conclusion that the high pitched whining must, after all, be the irritating sound of Sarah Kennedy

Seriously though, it sounds as though it's worth trying a different set of tyres next time around ... I'm still running on Trailwings but have heard they aren't the best option for this bike and I never rated them anyway.

Thanks

Spud

[donkster]

I love my Anakees, got 2500 miles out of the trailwings, have got 3500 on the anakees and they are not half worn

great grip in the wet, very confidence inspiring, very quick turn in and roll

more a road tyre that has some off road looks

[Spud]

Definitely going to try the Anakees , thanks Donkster - find the Trailwings pretty naff in the wet and generally numb.

I'll let you know if the whine disappears Doug.