Brushing sound when accelerating

1027 Views 20 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Nighter8X, 6 mo ago

Nighter8X

Discussion Starter · 7 mo ago (Edited)

Hi all,

Riding home from work today and i noticed a brushing sound (idk how to describe it) when rolling on the throttle and accelerating. It sounds like it's coming from the rear of the bike but i'm not sure.

Went for a ride after to test and it is really noticeable after rolling off the throttle entirely and rolling on again. It's more noticebale in higher gears.

I've had my 2016 300r for about a month or so (bought it off a mate) and it has 26,000 km on it. My mate had it serviced before he sold it to me and I've put about 400-500 on it since i got it.

I'm thinking it could be the clutch as I'm a beginner rider and dumped it quite a bit when i was learning on it. I've also accidently shifted gears up and down a couple of times recently without the clutch (don't judge).

Edit: another possibility i'm thinking is chain. I haven't cleaned it or lubed since it got it but it looks fine and isn't too loose or tight or dry.

Otherwise, the bike runs fine.

Would appreciate any suggestions.

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

CB300inGVL

· #2 · 6 mo ago

Start with the easy stuff, clean and lube up your chain. A couple drops learning to ride shouldn't be a big deal and shifting with out the clutch really isn't either if you slightly let off the throttle to let the gears synchronize enough.

Reactions: 1

kiwi rider

· #3 · 6 mo ago

Sounds like the chain.

mbjenkins

· #4 · 6 mo ago

As kiwi rider said, sounds like the chain. It should be cleaned and lubed (which also gives a chance to feel for kinks and check tension) every 650 - 800km, though all of us are guilty of going longer. To be safe and since you said it's a 2016 that's new to you, have you verified that the crank shaft recall warranty repair was done on the bike? That one's very important. Good luck.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2016/RCRIT-16V528-0776.pdf

2dtimecb'r

· #5 · 6 mo ago

maybe you are "riding the rear brake" unconsciously ?

Nighter8X

Discussion Starter · #6 · 6 mo ago

3

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

Update: I cleaned and lubed the chain today and after I removed the drive sprocket cover I saw a massive build-up of grease/old lube pretty much everywhere. I scrapped a lot of it off and don't think I did too bad a job with just chain cleaner, paper towels, and cloth.

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However, I have noticed that the original brushing sound mentioned in the OP persists, and might even be more noticeable than before. Additionally, I noticed that the engine was running quite hot today so much that I could feel the heat on my right calf (~20 degree celsius day) and the engine cover was hot to the touch. I've never noticed any heat radiating from it in the last month (admittedly it has been quite cold). Engine oil temps are at three bars and I believe an oil change was done a month ago.

There's also the issue of difficulty shifting into neutral but that could just mean time for a new clutch cable (bike has had problems with clutch before).

So tl;dr weird noise when openning throttle is not chain + new engine heat. Also, the crankshaft recall was done on this bike.

Thanks!

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kiwi rider

· #7 · 6 mo ago

The three bars are for your coolant temp, not your oil temp and as long as they stay at three bars then your good to go. Check your coolant level is correct though.

Ok, so the standard test when trying to work out if a noise is engine related or drive train related is to get up to road speed and then pull the clutch in (not on the freeway!) and flick the kill switch on the RH control block to get rid of engine noise. If you can still hear the noise then its your drive train ie. Transmission, sprockets & chain, but could also be wheel bearings, brake rotors rubbing etc.
Then, at a standstill rev the engine in neutral. Do you hear the noise increasing and diminishing as you rev it?

Reactions: 1

Nighter8X

Discussion Starter · #8 · 6 mo ago

The noise is only in higher gears and only for a short second as you roll the throttle on hard (e.g. after shifting up). Best way I can describe it is a brushing/rubbing sound.

I've looked up some other bike forums wiht similar issue posts and ppl have suggested sprocket issues? Both the chain and sprockets on mine look ok although the rear have a few teeth than are looking more sharp than flat.

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airhead83

· #9 · 6 mo ago

I can't be sure, but that chain doesn't look like the bike's OEM. If so, it's been replaced.
That rear sprocket in this photo appears to be worn out. The teeth points should be squarer and more defined than pointed and sharp.
Take a few minutes to have a looky-loo through these videos.

3 Pro Tips to tell your Chain & Sprockets are WORN OUT! - Bing video
Everything You Need To Know When Replacing Your Motorcycle’s Chain and Sprockets | The Shop Manual - Bing video

Reactions: 1

Gromit

· #10 · 6 mo ago

Chain is a DID, probably a decent VX one, not OEM. Always replaced mine (CBR and CB) with DID VX. OEM chain are rubbish. Front sprocket teeth OK but rear very badly worn. Is your chain line running true?

MikeH

· #11 · 6 mo ago

So I literally just joined this forum, but after reading this I do want to ask. Brushing sound could mean a different sound to many readers. Do you have a rear stand thatll allow you to lift the rear wheel off the ground and be able to spin it freely? Just want to be safe and make sure this sound isnt possibly a wheel bearing. These do fail and if it is this then you need to get it replaced asap.

kiwi rider

· #12 · 6 mo ago (Edited)

From what you say about when it does it makers me think it's chain and sprocket noise to me. I'd slap a whole new set of chain and sprockets on there as your rear sprocket is completely goosed so your chain wont be good either.
I know my Aprilia makes a lot of chain clatter when slowing down and changing down gears. It's the chain catching on the plastic guides around the swing arm pivot area. Was quite alarming first time I heard it but I'm used to it now.

Nighter8X

Discussion Starter · #13 · 6 mo ago

MikeH said:
So I literally just joined this forum, but after reading this I do want to ask. Brushing sound could mean a different sound to many readers. Do you have a rear stand thatll allow you to lift the rear wheel off the ground and be able to spin it freely? Just want to be safe and make sure this sound isnt possibly a wheel bearing. These do fail and if it is this then you need to get it replaced asap.

Yea i had it up yesterday when cleaning and lubing. It spun fine and there was no noise coming from the rear wheel. What would you look for when checking wheel bearings?

Also on sprockets and chain i think the chain was replaced but the sprockets weren't, the front still has flat teeth but the rear teeth are getting pretty sharp.

MikeH

· #14 · 6 mo ago

Youd try to wiggle the tire from side to side and see if theirs any play. By spinning the tire youd maybe hear almost like a grinding sound or something similar. This would also allow you to check the rotor.
Saw a picture of your sprocket with the pointed teeth. Think somebody already recommended you replace that which is what definitely needs to be done.
Look up Go Pro Motorcycle Chain Alignment Tool. This is a good way to check if your wheel is positioned correctly. While adjusting chain tension you can very easily move the wheel out of alignment.
These are a few things that can be checked. 1st thing id do though as its what we can see personally is go ahead and replace that sprocket. Do you understand what the sprocket ratios mean, like going up a tooth or down?

Nighter8X

Discussion Starter · #15 · 6 mo ago

kiwi rider said:
From what you say about when it does it makers me think it's chain and sprocket noise to me. I'd slap a whole new set of chain and sprockets on there as your rear sprocket is completely goosed so your chain wont be good either.
I know my Aprilia makes a lot of chain clatter when slowing down and changing down gears. It's the chain catching on the plastic guides around the swing arm pivot area. Was quite alarmiong first time I heard it but I'm used to it now.

After cleaning it does look like the teeth still have a bit of flat on the rear sprocket. I think there's still quite a bit of gunk between the chain and the bit of plastic above the swingarm so that could be a source of noise?

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Nighter8X

Discussion Starter · #16 · 6 mo ago (Edited)

This was the service done a month ago btw. According to my mate who did the service before he sold it to me they checked it all off.

Only thing i've done to the bike after i got it was install tank pads, a usb port, adjust throttle freeplay and clean and lube the chain yesterday.

Starting to think it's just my newbie paranoia hahaha...

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Gromit

· #17 · 6 mo ago

That rear sprocket should certainly be changed ASAP.

Dan German

· #18 · 6 mo ago

Gromit said:
That rear sprocket should certainly be changed ASAP.

Absolutely. And whoever said that sprocket was OK one month ago shouldn’t be working on bikes. Of course, the sprocket may have nothing to do with the noise in question, but it needs replacing anyway. If the chain has been in use on it for any length of time, that should be changed as well.

Nighter8X

Discussion Starter · #19 · 6 mo ago

On the rear sprocket, the mechanic inspected it today and said it looked fine and didn't need replacing. I showed him the photos and he reckons it just looked worn due to the dirt that was on there.

Gromit

· #20 · 6 mo ago

Nighter8X said:
On the rear sprocket, the mechanic inspected it today and said it looked fine and didn't need replacing. I showed him the photos and he reckons it just looked worn due to the dirt that was on there.

You need to change your 'mechanic'.

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