Spinning Noise When Cold Not RPM Dependent

[edbikerii]

Hello all,

I've heard this strange noise twice now. Both times, the engine was cold and it was cold out. Today it was 25F and I don't remember the temp the other time, but I haven't been riding as much in the winter as I used to.

Both times, the behavior was the same:
I started the bike on choke. It gradually revved up to 4000 RPM. I backed the running bike out of my garage in neutral, turned it around in my driveway, put the running bike on the sidestand while I closed the garage door, and then took her off choke and rode off.
I rode about 1/2 mile and stopped at a stop light. Idled there for maybe 2 minutes. Everything still seemed normal.
When the light turned green, I took off, accelerated to maybe 50mph. In about 1/4 mile I slowed down for a turn, and noticed this spinning noise that sounded like the starter was spinning but not engaging the engine.
The noise did not change regardless of how I revved the engine.
I pulled over to check things out, but by the time I got off the bike, the noise had gradually quieted and stopped.
I left the bike running, and continued on my journey to NYC.
For the next hour of city riding, she performed flawlessly, with no recurrence of the noise.
I parked her for 1.5 hours. I then rode home without further incident.

So, I'm thinking that it could be something with the fuel pump, since it is RPM independent.
I'm thinking that it isn't the starter (even though it sounds like the starter) because the starter was only engaged for maybe 2 seconds while the bike started up, then it sat quietly for nearly five minutes with the bike running before this noise came up.

Next time I hear it, I guess I'll try pulling over more quickly and killing the ignition switch to see if it is electrical-related.

Anybody got any related expereince or advice?

Thank you,

Ed

[PanMan75]

I am going to only take a guess, but I would say it isn't the fuel pump, I wouldn't think it would even have stopped when you pulled over. I am going to think to take a look at the radiator fan/water pump. Somewhere along that. I know its been chilly here in NYC area so I would guess that u warmed the motor enough with the idle and quick run after that to kick on the fan and open the thermostat, and noise went away when you went to pull over cause it was able to shut the system off and cool engine enough by time you stopped. Just a guess ofcourse......

BTW.....where in Bergen COunty are you in? I am about 5 mins from GWB and commute to Queens everyday for work. Watch the potholes, they are worse I have ever seen!!!!

[edbikerii]

Thanks for your reply, PanMan75. I hadn't considered the electric fan because it was just so cold, I don't think the engine had warmed up yet. I'll keep my eyes (um, ears) open for that.

As for the water pump, shouldn't that have made a noise that was RPM-dependent?

I'm in Teaneck, NJ. Maybe hook up for a ride sometime? Yeah, the pot-holes are absolutely ridiculous this year both in NJ and in NYC.

Ed

[PanMan75]

I am on boarder of teaneck and bogota, technically in bogota.....my wife and I have our bikes disassembled but should have em back running in the next few weeks. Always nice to ride with new peops......
Where do u think the noise was coming from?

Mike.

[edbikerii]

I am on boarder of teaneck and bogota, technically in bogota.....my wife and I have our bikes disassembled but should have em back running in the next few weeks. Always nice to ride with new peops......
Where do u think the noise was coming from?

Mike.

Near Papa's pizza? I'm just north of Degraw, so probably less than 1/2 mile from you! Maybe if you & your wife would like some help wrenchin' I could come over! My girlfriend loves to ride, but doesn't like wrenchin'.

My first thought, based on the sound, was that somehow the starter motor got engaged again. But I have no idea how that could happen. Then I got to thinking about other electric motors, since the noise didn't change with engine RPM. It certainly could be the cooling fan, but I will need to observe the temps better next time it happens to know for sure.

[PanMan75]

right by Papa's Pizza....lol I would love the help, but right now they are at a garage on Long Island. I have hers disassembled to paint and custom fender made. Mine I am just doing the front end and timing belts. I am surprised I havent seen you around, not many Gl1200 around here. The Guy around the block from me has a 1500 but mostly rides his Ural around with dog in the side car, you prob have seen him.

[edbikerii]

Yeah, I've seen that Ural around. Haven't seen dog, though.

I used to ride my old red CB550 around the neighborhood a lot. Maybe you've seen me on that?

Also, my GL1200 has no trunk, just saddlebags. I go to Papa's often, and Ludewig's Hardware, Welsh Farms, Victoria's, Queen Anne Wine Emporium, those Sushi joints on Degraw, John's Teaneck Garage, etc.

Most riding is up the Palisades to Bear Mountain, Harriman State Park, High Point, Hawk's Nest, New Hope, Down the Shore, etc.

When you get your bike home, send me a PM or email or something and we can get together and wrench.

Ed

[PanMan75]

We ride the same placed, but where else can you really ride around here? I will definitely let you imo when we getting the bikes out, hopefully mid march the latest. I live right behind angelo's pizza on queen Anne. We usually ride mid week because of my work has me off then. Hopefully u figure out your issue with the bike, keep me updated.

[edbikerii]

Took the bike out today to go grocery shopping. The problem didn't arise. Maybe not cold enough?

BTW PanMan, I took a quick spin around the block where Angelo's is about 10 minutes ago. Did you see/hear me? Haha!

[KnoxSwift]

I'm going to guess Starter or Timing Belt Tensioner?

BTW i'm in Sussex County! I'd like to get in this NJ Wrenching Bunch if I Could?

I restored a 1986 GL1200A Last Summer. I still have some stuff to do, Body work, Get the CB running...But I commute every day I can now on that gold ol' Wing.

Ride Safe!

[PanMan75]

That was you?! I thought it was a drunk from the 101 Pub.....lol
If it was the fan should have kicked on being a sheltering 60 today and you would have heard the noise. I would say brush it off until it happens again.

Knox.....my wife is obsessed with riding out to high point, so we will definitely be out your way when the bikes are ready. The body work on my bike needs help too, saving that for next winter since I spent this one fabricating a a new rear fender for my wife's bike and reprinting it as well.

[edbikerii]

Well, it was 10am, so not drunk yet, haha!

That was you?! I thought it was a drunk from the 101 Pub.....lol
If it was the fan should have kicked on being a sheltering 60 today and you would have heard the noise. I would say brush it off until it happens again.

Knox.....my wife is obsessed with riding out to high point, so we will definitely be out your way when the bikes are ready. The body work on my bike needs help too, saving that for next winter since I spent this one fabricating a a new rear fender for my wife's bike and reprinting it as well.

[edbikerii]

I'm sure up for helping out wrenching. Sounds like your project is much like mine: Mechanicals mostly in order, body work and "bling" left to do, if I ever get a round toit.

I'm going to guess Starter or Timing Belt Tensioner?

BTW i'm in Sussex County! I'd like to get in this NJ Wrenching Bunch if I Could?

I restored a 1986 GL1200A Last Summer. I still have some stuff to do, Body work, Get the CB running...But I commute every day I can now on that gold ol' Wing.

Ride Safe!

[PanMan75]

I would love the help but unfortunately I have the bikes out in Long Island right now. I am going this morning to put the wife's back together and do her brakes. After that I need to rebuild my forks, replace brake pads (front and rear), and do the timing belts. I would like to be doing it in 2 days, but I think I may hold my timing belts off until I get the bikes back home here. I just dont want to bite off more than what I can chew and rush the whole thing. If you guys need help wrenching I am always willing to help. I admit my motorcycle repair is unchartered territory but cant be much harder than work I have done on my autos......i hope!!!! LOL

[KnoxSwift]

That was you?! I thought it was a drunk from the 101 Pub.....lol
If it was the fan should have kicked on being a sheltering 60 today and you would have heard the noise. I would say brush it off until it happens again.

Knox.....my wife is obsessed with riding out to high point, so we will definitely be out your way when the bikes are ready. The body work on my bike needs help too, saving that for next winter since I spent this one fabricating a a new rear fender for my wife's bike and reprinting it as well.

Sounds like a PLAN! My Girlfriend also loves Highpoint. There are lots of places to go out by me that are alot less traffic than Bergen county, LOL! I commute to Englewood Cliffs every day and in the summer as much as possible on the wing. I'll send you a PM of contact info...