Squeeky, and really squeely?????????

[DroidHoff]

Hey all today I noticed for the first time some new noises coming from my bike. Before I get torn up for this please know I always wear a helmet and protective gear when riding. That said a coworker of mine said it might be a good idea to take spin around the block sans helmet to take the time to hear the bike and know what it sounds like when its running correctly.

My GZ is less than 300 miles new so I expected not to hear to much. But what I heard was kind of weird to me. My bike squeels a lot almost constantly. I expect the shocks to squeek and some road noise but it squeeled when I breaked, when I just rode straight, when I accelerated, and when I let off the throttle. Is this normal? Or is there some type of lube I can apply to quiet things down abit? I just never really noticed before with the helmet on. Thanks in advance everyone,

Andrew

[blaine]

There should not be any squeeling,you need to investagate further and find the source,or maybe a quick trip back to the dealer.

:2tup: :cool:

[Easy Rider]

My GZ is less than 300 miles new so I expected not to hear to much.

I've probably asked this before .......but where in Illini country ARE you ??

If you can't find another experienced rider to give a listen, you need to visit your dealer.
Chances are that everything you noticed is absolutely normal.......but no need to take a chance.

For one thing, the stock front brake pads tend to squeal when you apply them; no fix for that except different front pads.

The engine whizzes a bit and makes tapping noises.
The chain drive makes a noise; worse if out of adjustment.
The back brake might squeal when NOT applied if it is too tight.

Except for the chain, probably nothing you can do with lube to "fix" anything........oh, and pivot points for the levers and shifter and back brakes. Some shops completely neglect them on new bikes.

[DroidHoff]

Yep I live out in the western suburbs of Chicago, Sugar Grove to be exact. The screetching is most noticable at 20mph or less and is constant regardles of brake application. The one exception I found so far is during a quick stop there tends to be less noise. The screetching may be present at higher speeds but the engine/road noise tends to drown out all other noises. The nearest dealer is 40-50 min away on some pretty adventures roads driver wise so I try not to go if not neccessary. I am taking it in for the 600 mile service soon so maybe I will wait till then.

[Easy Rider]

I am taking it in for the 600 mile service soon so maybe I will wait till then.

OK, well at least check to be sure the rear brake is not dragging; that can get nasty.
If you can't get it off the ground to spin it, at least feel the wheel hub/brake drum after a ride.
It should be a little warm but not so much that it feels HOT.

What about that "bud" who suggested you do the test ride sans helmet ?? :roll:

[DroidHoff]

@easy

I will check out the back break drum tonight after work. And my that guy isn't at work today, however we have several riders here and I had 1 take it for a spin around the lot. He said it sounded like the breaks as well but that it was not all that unusual. He also suggested lifting it later tonight and checking the clearance of the drum this evening. So if in fact the drum is creating the friction how would one go about adjusting it on the gz?

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[alantf]

If it has indeed been overtightened, then it MAY just be a simple case of unscrewing the thumb nut that is on the screwed rod that attaches to the brake operating lever at the back wheel.

.........and the knee bone's connected to the thigh bone, and the thigh bone's connected to the hip bone.... Whoa..... why did that spring to mind? :haha2:

Good luck. :2tup:

[Easy Rider]

unscrewing the thumb nut that is on the screwed rod that attaches to the brake operating lever at the back wheel.

Hope so; otherwise something is "broken".

Adjusting the back brake.......and many other useful things......can be found in the User's Manual !! :biggrin:

[Water Warrior 2]

.........and the knee bone's connected to the thigh bone, and the thigh bone's connected to the hip bone.... Whoa..... why did that spring to mind? :haha2:

Good luck. :2tup:
Strangly enough that makes perfect sense to me.

[Easy Rider]

.........and the knee bone's connected to the thigh bone, and the thigh bone's connected to the hip bone.... Whoa..... why did that spring to mind? :haha2:

Good luck. :2tup:
Strangly enough that makes perfect sense to me.

You "foreign" guys are so wierd !! :roll:

:crackup

[Water Warrior 2]

[quote=alantf]

.........and the knee bone's connected to the thigh bone, and the thigh bone's connected to the hip bone.... Whoa..... why did that spring to mind? :haha2:

Good luck. :2tup:
Strangly enough that makes perfect sense to me.

You "foreign" guys are so wierd !! :roll:

:crackup[/quote:3qd6wsjv]
It really is easy if you lean about 5 degress towards crazy. Now where are my meds ????

[alanmcorcoran]

The front brake can be a little screechy (note the usual disclaimer here: I am the anti-mechanic and know nothing of proven value about the workings. If anyone contradicts me on here, they are most likely correct and I am full of shit.) I've noticed this can be amplified by not riding the bike for a bit - perhaps the disc accumulates a thin layer of rust. In any case, I've noticed ALL bike sounds tend to be amplified when you don't wear your helmet. Conversely, the helmet itself introduces a little weird wind sounds. The fact that the screech goes away when applying the brakes seems to be a good indicator that something is riding on either the disc or the drum. One other thing you can check (again - heed the discalimer!) if your front pads are dragging, they will generate a lot of heat. If you can ride a mile or two or three without actually applying the brakes and then check (CAREFULLY) the disc if it's hot, that's an indication you need something adjusted or replaced. Be careful though. The brakes can get hot enough to take off your skin under some circumstances.

[Water Warrior 2]

Alan has some good thoughts. Maybe a few hard stops(where safe of course)to burn off a thin layer of rust that has developed. The rear drum and front disc are metal and will rust within a short time if not exercised.

[DroidHoff]

Thanks for the advice guys. I looked (operative word) at the rear drum last night after riding all day, and really couldn't make heads or tails of it. I'm not all that familiar with brake drums to be honest. I see there is a wear indicator tolerance mark but didn't have the time last night to pick up the OM and figure it out. I will try both suggestions posted earlier sometime tomorrow wx permitting. I do ride almost daily though so I'm not sure how much build up can accumulate and how quickly. As for the heat test of the rear drum, once it cools down a bit I will check it out.

[Water Warrior 2]

Thanks for the advice guys. I looked (operative word) at the rear drum last night after riding all day, and really couldn't make heads or tails of it. I'm not all that familiar with brake drums to be honest. I see there is a wear indicator tolerance mark but didn't have the time last night to pick up the OM and figure it out. I will try both suggestions posted earlier sometime tomorrow wx permitting. I do ride almost daily though so I'm not sure how much build up can accumulate and how quickly. As for the heat test of the rear drum, once it cools down a bit I will check it out.
When in doubt go to a professional or find a friend who is bike savvy and can help you. A hands on approach is the best by far and brakes are not something to guess at when your life could be at risk. The problem is probably simply fixed but don't take chances with brakes.................ever.