A ticking noise

[Moedad]

I think my bike was dropped sometime before I bought it. The tip of the clutch is scratched as is the corner of the front fender, but what I'm wondering about is there is a slight ticking noise coming from the front wheel that matches the rpm of the wheel when it rolls. It also clicks when it rolls backward but even more slightly. Doesn't seem to be anything visible rubbing, but thought I'd ask and see if there were any ideas from the experienced group here of what to look for. Can't say for sure it wasn't there before and now I'm just noticing it because I'm listening for something. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Update: When I had the bike serviced week before last (seven months later), I asked them to check it and the mechanic said everything was fine.

[Easy Rider]

, but now there is a slight ticking noise coming from the front wheel that matches the rpm of the wheel when it rolls. It also clicks when it rolls backward but even more slightly.

3 guesses:
If the noise changes significantly with light application of the front brake, then something in the rotor or brake is suspect.

If not:

A bent spoke or a kinked speedometer cable.

[jonathan180iq]

+1 to Easy's post.

Also, just make sure that you don't have the front fender rubbing just a bit.

[Badbob]

Check to make sure everything is tight as on bolts. The only time I had a ticking noise in the front the wire brace that holds the speedometer cable out of the wheel was loose. It snagged a spoke and mangled the cable before I got home. It didn't hurt the spokes at all.

[Moedad]

Everything seems to be tight, spokes and bolt-wise. The fender isn't rubbing anywhere. There doesn't seem to be a difference in the noise when I apply the front brake lightly, and the speedometer cable runs a nice and clean swoop down through the clip and straight into the speedometer gear housing. I'm going to try and figure a way to lift the front wheel so I can turn it and get right down where I can pinpoint the noise better. I'll keep you posted in the troubleshooting section when I've done that. Thanks, guys.

[jonathan180iq]

You may have torqued the wheel bearing and it may be out of true...

I don't really know but it's a thought.

[Moedad]

You may have torqued the wheel bearing and it may be out of true...

I don't really know but it's a thought.

I hope it's not that.

[IndyKTM]

I love the Beer Fest at the circle though I haven't enjoyed it in about 6 years. So much beer it's flowing in the gutters. Seriously. Try a malt at that soda shop on the circle if you get a chance. As for the ticking, look at the rotor mount bolts and see if there is any wear on the heads, which would indicate it's rubbing on something. Also, a good way to raise the front end is use a car jack to raise the bike by pressing up on the frame just below the engine and to the left of the exhaust. Then slide a jack holder under each of the peg mounts and the bike will be rock steady.

[Moedad]

Try a malt at that soda shop on the circle if you get a chance.

Watson's. Love that place. Did you used to live out here?

As for the ticking, look at the rotor mount bolts and see if there is any wear on the heads, which would indicate it's rubbing on something.

I'll look more closely at them, thanks.

Also, a good way to raise the front end is use a car jack to raise the bike by pressing up on the frame just below the engine and to the left of the exhaust. Then slide a jack holder under each of the peg mounts and the bike will be rock steady.

That's pretty much what I ended up doing. The ticking definitely comes from the hub/brake area, and once I could spin the wheel, I noticed the ticking was more frequent than being timed with the rpms of the wheel. It hasn't gotten more frequent than it was, I just have a better sense of it now. I haven't posted an update in the Troubleshooting section because I don't have much to report on yet.

[Sarris]

I had a ticking noise after I had the front tire changed. I discovered that the technician had left the speedo cable nut loose and the cable was not fully engaged. I tighted it up and voila, no more ticking!

Good luck.

:cool:

[IndyKTM]

Yeah, born and raised in OC. Grew up in Yorba Linda/Chino Hills/Fullerton. I put in 25 years and decided it was time to go....but I will be visiting next week. I moved because I wanted to own a house and live in a place with less traffic and have my children go to school without the fear of gang wars like I dealt with. Within a year of moving from there I owned my first house. 5 years later I own 3. I am a union Painter, that's all. Wife makes a little less than me, she's a Librarian. I do love walking down the boardwalk in Venice Beach and Balboa, Mt. Baldy, Griffith Observatory...cool places. I miss my crazy night surfing adventures under the pier lights at Huntington. But it's been good times out here. Where in OC are you?

[Moedad]

Where in OC are you?

10 minutes west of Disneyland. I'd really miss the beach if we moved, but oftentimes when we visit other states, we ask ourselves why have we not moved yet? My folks are up in years and they're probably the biggest reason we stay at this point. Our kids are up and grown so they aren't holding us back. Someday...