High whine at high speed/ Front end

[ripchord11]

When I am accelerating past the 80 MPH / 5500 RPM in 5th gear, an increasingly high pitch whine starts coming from the front end, or I think it is the front end, it could be an echo off of the windshield, whiich accentuates any noise in that area.........could this be the front wheel bearings??? Sounds great up until that point, deccelerate, and it goes away.........Had a new tire put on, could be rubbing against fender, when I had the tire first put on, it made a rubbing noise, until I pulled the rear of the fender up a tad, still does it sometimes, but not like when first put on.......any similiar problems?? or answers would really be appreciated.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Rip,

If your fender was close enough to rub at low speeds, then it may still be too close at HIGH SPEEDS, because the tire expands around the circumference making the tire taller!!

I burned the paint on my front fender and blistered the center of my tire tread this same way! I didn't realize that the Yamaha shop over a decade ago had replaced my Special fender with a Standard....so the front sits very close. I had about 1/4" gap so I thought it was okay.....went for a nice speed run, and when I stopped, the fender had heated up so much, it caused the paint to blister!!!
T.C.

[beegshot]

Wheel bearings go crunch at low speeds

One of my wheel bearings took a dump on the XJ. At low speeds...like walking speed...it would make a crunching sound. I pulled the bearing and sure enough it had a broken ball. A high speed whine could be a dozen different things...or a combination. Have you stuck your head down there with your helmet off? Obviously, done in a controlled environment.

Robert

[Shuriken]

Also check your speedometer and/or cable. I've heard some crazy sounds coming from those before...

[Geezer]

Try light presure on the brakes. If the whine goes away, then it's the disk pads rubbing. Or you could give it some cheese.

Geezer

[John]

I get a whine from the middle gear drive on both of my Specials, and it's more noticable on the 80 than on the 81.

[ripchord11]

No, The Tire doesn't get hot, and my fender does not either, there is no wear or marks on tire, what sound does the poorly lubricated or defective bearing sound make??? THERES ANOTHER reason for the different speedometer !!!!! any other inputs???I talked with Bob Jones about a year ago, and he said he had a tire lock up on the highway with poorly lubricated bearings!! I'M AFRAID OK????

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Rip,

Like John said, I've heard middle gears and even rear drives whine, but not the front bearings? You said you put on a NEW tire. If you didn't notice the sound before, it could even be just tire tread running on the pavement whine? Downshift into 4th and go thru the same speed=80mph and see if you hear it?

The front wheel is relatively easy to remove to check the bearings. They are sealed type. Pull the wheel, and then put the axle back in and see if you can sense any slop in the bearings by trying to pull the axle up or down. If you can sense or see the inner races moving compared to the outer races, then they may be worn, and then just replace them!
T.C.

[ripchord11]

thank you TC, and othe members, I will look at the bearings, and try to max out in 4th.....