Engine noise on new M50 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Brackneyc · 09-26-2005, 02:03 PM

I have ridden my new M50 120 miles so far. It has an annoying noise coming from the engine if I let off the throttle quickly while riding. Say I am going 55, and I let the throttle quickly, I get a "chirping" sound from the engine (or so it seems like the engine). It is not an ongoing noise, just a quick chirp, or squeak. If I let off the throttle slowly, the noise is not there. Anyone ever had this experience. Thanks.

farmbone · 09-26-2005, 03:55 PM

Yep! Sounds kinda Alien. Nice bike !

oldgeezer · 09-26-2005, 04:07 PM

Get louder pipes.

Brackneyc · 09-26-2005, 04:13 PM

To better describe the sound, it sort of sounds like a back tire squawking as you downsift into too low a gear and let the cluch out. You know that little chirp sound a tire can make? That is what I thought it was at first. Do they make pipes for this bike? Since it is the first year for this bike to have fuel injection, I was wondering if pipes from the older version would be the same. Enlighten me please.

ALl of the lipes I have seen so far only go up through 04.

**Clint** · 09-26-2005, 06:16 PM

Is it belt-driven? Could your belt be loose? I admit I have no knowlege of motorcycle belt drives.

MagnumForce · 09-26-2005, 06:19 PM

The M50 is a shaft-driven bike, not belt. I was inclined to ask if the noise may be shaft jacking until I read that the noise seemed to originate from the engine.

cjjtulsa · 09-26-2005, 06:28 PM

I hear it in mine too; I think it's the gears in the tranny "backlashing" or something. I don't let it bother me.

Mavman · 09-26-2005, 06:35 PM

But he does go on to share "or so it seems like the engine" in his first post though.

The reason why I mention that is because I noticed that little chirping sound myself when I'd let off the throttle shortly after I first purchased and was also told it was shaft jacking.

Brackneyc, Have ya rode some more since ya posted and been able to nail down that it's coming from the engine or not?

MagnumForce · 09-26-2005, 06:37 PM

I guess I really never thought of the noise too much because I haven't really heard it. Your engine may be trying to match revs to the current gear and that's why you may be experiencing the noise. The more you ride your bike, the better you get to know it. With enough practice and experience, you may be able to reduce, if not eliminate, that noise.

Swick · 09-26-2005, 06:39 PM

Brackneyc-
I just got Vance & Hines Cruzers for my M50. You have to get the ones made for the C50, but they fit absolutely perfect (practically the same bike). I put them on my bike, but it ran really rough with a lot of backfiring on decel. So i had to get the powercommander, which I am waiting for right now. It will smooth things out. Check out http://www.pipecity.com
They had the best price going. Got the Cruzers for $329 shipped. Add the powercommander (they will send it already mapped for the M50 and the pipes) for $265 shipped. Everyone else has the PC for $320-$330.

Hope this helps.

btw- the sound from the pipes is awesome.

qwikz · 09-26-2005, 07:13 PM

The chirp is the sound of the gears in the rear diff slowing down (aka "shaft jacking")

ILm50 · 09-26-2005, 09:17 PM

i noticed it with mine fairly early on... seemed to subside some after the first service, but then came back. I only hear it if I let off the throttle quickly...

Brackneyc · 09-26-2005, 10:58 PM

Alright folks, it seems like it may be "shaft jacking" based on several people saying they have the same issue. I have put a few more miles on it, and I love the thing so much that I don't even notice the noise unless I listen for it. This is such a cool bike. I have owned about 25 bikes over the years, and I feel so relaxed on this one that it is hard to describe. I would have probably gotten the C50, but I haven't had the long rear fender grow on me yet.

It was a hard choice, but I think I did get the one I liked best.

Mavman · 09-27-2005, 12:04 AM

That's good, yep I think mines gonna be a keeper also.

Brackneyc · 09-27-2005, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavman

That's good, yep I think mines gonna be a keeper also.

Hey Mavman, I live over in the Quad Cities. Next summer, my gang (I have affectionately named us the Peanuts Gang) and I are planning a nice ride to Des Moines. Maybe you and yours can plan a trip to Des Moines and we can do lunch. I'll be the guy on the other Red M50.

**intimid8er** · 09-27-2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

This is a simple result of the fact that the swingarm and rear drive are one unit, hinged at one end: vertical movement will cause rotation, and rotation will cause vertical movement. Think harder about the latter part of that relationship: the torque of the wheel and drive will move the suspension vertically. This torque-induced suspension movement, sometimes called "the shaft effect" or "shaft jacking" is considered to be a drawback to traditional shaft-drive designs.

http://www.largiader.com/paralever/

Call me silly....I fail to see how this relates to your noise problems.

The only time I've experienced this noise has been if I got retarded and downshifted a little early.

Shaft jacking is a concern of serious riders when they are in a corner rolling on the throttle and the upward movement caused by the shaft upsets the bike's "set" in the corner.

When you downshift. Does the engine rev high, and you kinda move forward on the seat?

stp1971 · 09-27-2005, 08:40 AM

Are you winding the bike way out in each gear and then just dumping the throttle???
Another point to remember is that any noise on a mechanical machine can be carried to different parts of the machine. I.E.-- Harmonic noises may originate from one point but travel down to another to where it is easier to hear thus you end up chasing a noise that is coming from somewhere else. If it truly is the shaft drive then the shaft tube is a perfect noise conductor for a noise to travel across.

Could it be that maybe it is the clutches trying to maintain grip if they are winding the bike way high up in the rpm scale and then just dropping the throttle off. If so I am inclined to side with Tim if you are hearing and over rev of the bike.

**intimid8er** · 09-27-2005, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stp1971

I.E.-- Harmonic noises may originate from one point but travel down to another to where it is easier to hear thus you end up chasing a noise that is coming from somewhere else. If it truly is the shaft drive then the shaft tube is a perfect noise conductor for a noise to travel across.

I'm leavin' this one alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mavman · 09-27-2005, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brackneyc

Hey Mavman, I live over in the Quad Cities. Next summer, my gang (I have affectionately named us the Peanuts Gang) and I are planning a nice ride to Des Moines. Maybe you and yours can plan a trip to Des Moines and we can do lunch. I'll be the guy on the other Red M50.

Sounds excellant

...I'll send ya a pm.

Brackneyc · 09-27-2005, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stp1971

Are you winding the bike way out in each gear and then just dumping the throttle???
Another point to remember is that any noise on a mechanical machine can be carried to different parts of the machine. I.E.-- Harmonic noises may originate from one point but travel down to another to where it is easier to hear thus you end up chasing a noise that is coming from somewhere else. If it truly is the shaft drive then the shaft tube is a perfect noise conductor for a noise to travel across.

Could it be that maybe it is the clutches trying to maintain grip if they are winding the bike way high up in the rpm scale and then just dropping the throttle off. If so I am inclined to side with Tim if you are hearing and over rev of the bike.

I am driving the bike like a little old lady. During break in especially I would not rev it high, but don't normally rev my bikes high anyway. The noise comes when I let off the throttle while cruising at speed. I ride with several other people, and at times, the lead guy may slow down suddenly, and I will let off the throttle and prepare to either stop, or slow way down. Maybe I have developed some kind of wierd riding style, but I have been doing it for 35 years, and I'm not likely to change it. No other bike I have had has ever done this, but this bike is much different that any other bike I have ever had: shaft drive, fuel injection most noticeably.

I'm not sure what the noise is, and for now I am not going to let it bother me. I will mention it when I take it in for the 600 mile check and see if they know what it is.

09-26-2005, 02:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Brackneyc In Training Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2007 FXD Black. 2007 883 Low rider. Black Cherry Location: Quad Cities, IL Posts: 132	Engine noise on new M50 I have ridden my new M50 120 miles so far. It has an annoying noise coming from the engine if I let off the throttle quickly while riding. Say I am going 55, and I let the throttle quickly, I get a "chirping" sound from the engine (or so it seems like the engine). It is not an ongoing noise, just a quick chirp, or squeak. If I let off the throttle slowly, the noise is not there. Anyone ever had this experience. Thanks.

09-26-2005, 04:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
oldgeezer Handlebar Consultant Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 646	Get louder pipes. __________________ Oh, he's very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids, dweebies, d!ckheads--they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude.

09-26-2005, 06:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
MagnumForce Throttle Jockey Joined: May 2005 Bike: 05 M50, 06 CBR600F4i Location: Sitting on the can... duh! Posts: 3,160	The M50 is a shaft-driven bike, not belt. I was inclined to ask if the noise may be shaft jacking until I read that the noise seemed to originate from the engine. __________________ "I love the smell of toner in the morning… it's the smell of victory!" MAJ M, Staff Officer

09-26-2005, 06:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
MagnumForce Throttle Jockey Joined: May 2005 Bike: 05 M50, 06 CBR600F4i Location: Sitting on the can... duh! Posts: 3,160	I guess I really never thought of the noise too much because I haven't really heard it. Your engine may be trying to match revs to the current gear and that's why you may be experiencing the noise. The more you ride your bike, the better you get to know it. With enough practice and experience, you may be able to reduce, if not eliminate, that noise. __________________ "I love the smell of toner in the morning… it's the smell of victory!" MAJ M, Staff Officer

09-26-2005, 09:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
ILm50 In Training Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2005 M50 Blue Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 138	i noticed it with mine fairly early on... seemed to subside some after the first service, but then came back. I only hear it if I let off the throttle quickly... __________________

09-26-2005, 03:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
farmbone Fender Buffer Joined: May 2005 Bike: M50 Blk Location: South Bend , IN Posts: 429	Yep! Sounds kinda Alien. Nice bike !

09-26-2005, 04:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Brackneyc In Training Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2007 FXD Black. 2007 883 Low rider. Black Cherry Location: Quad Cities, IL Posts: 132	To better describe the sound, it sort of sounds like a back tire squawking as you downsift into too low a gear and let the cluch out. You know that little chirp sound a tire can make? That is what I thought it was at first. Do they make pipes for this bike? Since it is the first year for this bike to have fuel injection, I was wondering if pipes from the older version would be the same. Enlighten me please. ALl of the lipes I have seen so far only go up through 04.

09-26-2005, 06:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
cjjtulsa Third gear and cruising Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2004 Marauder 1600 Black Location: Collinsville, Oklahoma Posts: 507	I hear it in mine too; I think it's the gears in the tranny "backlashing" or something. I don't let it bother me.

09-26-2005, 06:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
Swick Seat Tester Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2005 M50 Black Location: Toronto, OH Posts: 97	Brackneyc- I just got Vance & Hines Cruzers for my M50. You have to get the ones made for the C50, but they fit absolutely perfect (practically the same bike). I put them on my bike, but it ran really rough with a lot of backfiring on decel. So i had to get the powercommander, which I am waiting for right now. It will smooth things out. Check out http://www.pipecity.com They had the best price going. Got the Cruzers for $329 shipped. Add the powercommander (they will send it already mapped for the M50 and the pipes) for $265 shipped. Everyone else has the PC for $320-$330. Hope this helps. btw- the sound from the pipes is awesome.

09-26-2005, 07:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
qwikz Banned Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 05 M50 Red Location: Hamilton Posts: 39	The chirp is the sound of the gears in the rear diff slowing down (aka "shaft jacking")

09-26-2005, 10:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
Brackneyc In Training Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2007 FXD Black. 2007 883 Low rider. Black Cherry Location: Quad Cities, IL Posts: 132	Alright folks, it seems like it may be "shaft jacking" based on several people saying they have the same issue. I have put a few more miles on it, and I love the thing so much that I don't even notice the noise unless I listen for it. This is such a cool bike. I have owned about 25 bikes over the years, and I feel so relaxed on this one that it is hard to describe. I would have probably gotten the C50, but I haven't had the long rear fender grow on me yet. It was a hard choice, but I think I did get the one I liked best.

09-27-2005, 08:40 AM	#17 (permalink)
stp1971 May 2007 Member of the month Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 2004 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC / 2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom Location: Douglasville, Georgia Posts: 7,833	Are you winding the bike way out in each gear and then just dumping the throttle??? Another point to remember is that any noise on a mechanical machine can be carried to different parts of the machine. I.E.-- Harmonic noises may originate from one point but travel down to another to where it is easier to hear thus you end up chasing a noise that is coming from somewhere else. If it truly is the shaft drive then the shaft tube is a perfect noise conductor for a noise to travel across. Could it be that maybe it is the clutches trying to maintain grip if they are winding the bike way high up in the rpm scale and then just dropping the throttle off. If so I am inclined to side with Tim if you are hearing and over rev of the bike. __________________ Biketoberfest 2006 flashback courtesy of Intimid8er: "Like you knew damn well you shouldn't eat something like that, but all be damned to hell, you were gonna eat it!" __________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Annoying Noise During Engine Turn Off	pwebb1	Volusia/C50 Getaway	6	06-05-2006 12:18 AM
gsx-r 750 more noise please!	Galder666	Sportbikes & Sport-tourers	14	03-08-2006 08:22 PM
noise at 40 -55 mph	lexxter	Marauder M50 Secret Hideaway	9	10-20-2005 06:24 PM
C50 engine noise	pneblett	Cruisers	9	08-17-2005 02:34 AM
2004 marauder VZ1600 Engine Noise	heavywt82	Mechanics Corner	13	07-13-2005 07:49 PM