K11 Owners Group

[hirschhs]

K11 lt on 99k started going zzhhhmm zzhhhmm zzhhhmm at wheel speed about 500miles ago, now become a continuous zzhh from 40mph up.
Quite loud and always at wheel speed. If I pull in the clutch, it remains. Changed gearbox oil, usual filings attached to plug but nothing untoward.

Changed front pads which were a bit down just in case - checked rear wheel bearing and wheel tightening.
Any thoughts?
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'

[K11Martin]

If you pull in the clutch and the noise remains, it can't be gearbox as doing so removes the connection to the gearbox.

You don't say which wheel it is (do you know?). The confusion arises because you suspect gearbox (which would implicate the rear), but mention that you've changed the front pads .

Put the bike on the centre stand, then with the front brake held on and a secure hold on the bike, take it gently up through the gears to the road speed where you hear the noise. This may or may not identify the exact source but it could tie it down to a particular wheel (assuming the noise doesn't depend in the wheel having a load on it).

Personally I'd be looking for bearing wear (does it change when cornering). I would initially rule out shaft damage as you'd almost certainly be feeling some vibration if that were the case.
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Currently riding a '93 K1100LT (ABS1) decked out with lights and aerials (Ex 70's Vespa rider)

Why not join the UK owners club at http://forum.bmw-club.org.uk/

[hirschhs]

Hi Martin, I'm now pretty sure it's rear but when I first heard it I wasn't certain and knew that the front pads needed attention.
When you say 'bearing' - which bearing do you mean?
Thinking about it.. the noise is really a sort of howl now. Not loud enough to turn heads but audible through the helmet and radio
No vibration or other noticeable symptoms yet..
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'

[RobWheatley]

Hi
Does the noise change pitch at all when you open the throttle, close it or go around corners, maybe even go over a big hump or dip in the road? if it does its easier to work out where it is coming from.

[hirschhs]

Thanks Rob. I'll check on the way home tonight for changes in sound as I hurtle around roundabouts or take speed bumps at inordinate speed.. nah . But I will listen out.
Diff oil is looking very sweet and at the right level..
Output bearing? Mmm, sounds good.. (no pun intended)
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'

[Phil Marvin]

Hi,
Years ago I ran Metzeler ME88 rear tires in 120/90?18 on my R100RT and R100RS. When the tires were half worn or maybe a bit more, I could swear the final drive was humming. When I changed the tire(s), the sound went away, then returned after a few thousand miles. I did not have the same experience with either K1100LT nor any of the K75 bikes, but you never know. And since you say your final drive oil looks normal, I would suspect it's not a final drive prolblem. Good Luck!
Ride Safe,
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Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

[hirschhs]

Well that's interesting Phil, it is a noise like tyre noise but unfortunately it occurs on the stand too
Doesn't seem to change on bends or going over humps..
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'

[RobWheatley]

Hi
You say it does it on the stand too, one way to try and find where it is coming from would be to enlist the help of a friend, have the bike on the centre stand, remove the rear wheel (for safety) get the friend to hold the bike and rev it in gear till you get the noise.
Then if you use a long metal rod or screwdriver (put the handle end to your ear and probe with the blade end (well known trick in the mechanics circles)) you can probe around the diff, greabox etc till you hear the noise through the screwdriver, that will narrow down where it is coming from.
Do PLEASE be careful of the rotating brake disk and hub, dont get anything too near it.
Rob
_________________
1999 K1100LTIC Smooth and Quiet Cruise, BFD & HID
1996 K1100RS. dead but not forgotten.

[hirschhs]

thanks for the suggestion Rob.. I'll try it at the w/e. If you never hear from me again it'll be because I've caught something in something and been subsumed..
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'

[Tim (Midland Section)]

Check for foreign bodies in the brake caliper. Could try running it in gear on the stand with the caliper removed. Check also abs sensor clearance. Does sound to me like the bevel box bearing oil seal spring may have escaped. remember reading about this on one forum or another.

[K11Martin]

[RobWheatley]

Who me, would i do a thing like that????
_________________
1999 K1100LTIC Smooth and Quiet Cruise, BFD & HID
1996 K1100RS. dead but not forgotten.

[ol-Levi]

Well my K1100lt has started to make this Grrrr sound from the rear.
Had the clutch done two years ago, had to go back and do the starter just months after. Had the driveshaft replaced last fall. Now the diff seems to be growling. Lube seems fine, I just ran it up on stand and killed engine, grrr sound. Should I look at getting the diff looked at??
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97 K1100LT le (Kaw lady) with 119,000 miles.