OK, maybe I'm being paranoid..

Wheelin

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One of my recent posts describe how I somehow fumbled my way into changing my rear tire. All seems well, but I hear a noise at around 50-60 mph that sounds like wind blowing across a coke bottle. I'm hoping it's just the tread, but could I have done something to the drive shaft when I put the wheel back on? I guess I just need to know that I'm not going to be killing myself anytime soon.

Btw, I put on a Michelin Anakee 3 Adventure touring tire, so maybe they're known for doing that while the tread is new?
 

Dogdaze

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Sounds like the tyre, but, when up on the centerstand does the wheel bind at all? There will be a little resistance from the brake and the shaft.
 

EricV

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Does the noise change with rpm changes, or only speed changes? If only with speed changes, it's likely tire related and no big deal. If it changes with rpms, more checking may be required.

You may have had the nose before, just are more sensitive to things since you did a tire change. Probably fine. The most common errors are tightening the pinch bolts before torqing the axle nut, which can cause things to be loose later. The other more or less common issue is getting the brake caliper back over the rotor with both pads on one side of the rotor instead of in the middle of the pads. That's typically noticed very quickly after the first braking event!
 

magic

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This noise will drive you crazy until you figure out what is causing it. Hopefully it's just a little tire noise. It will be hard to enjoy the ride if you're worried about the final drive exploding or the rear brake locking up. Might I suggest taking the wheel off again? Look everything over, watch the videos and look at the step by step procedure on this forum. You made it through the worst part of the job, mounting the tire. Pull that wheel off, look everything over and put it back together according to the video and use a torque wrench. I use a little silicone spray on those rubber inserts to make them go together easier. Do you have a riding buddy that works on bikes that could give you a hand?
 

Curt

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It's almost certainly tire noise. I became alarmed about a similar sound with K60's, I believe it was. The sound went away as they wore. However, it came back anytime I leaned over onto the cornering tread.

Reviews such as this one make a lot of reference to Anakee 3 noise.

https://www.webbikeworld.com/michelin-anakee-iii-tire-review/
It sounds minor and silly, but my biggest issue is how loud these tires sing when at more than about 50 mph. They bug me like water torture and I’ve read plenty of other write-ups in which owners have written about the noise.
 

Wheelin

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This noise will drive you crazy until you figure out what is causing it. Hopefully it's just a little tire noise. It will be hard to enjoy the ride if you're worried about the final drive exploding or the rear brake locking up. Might I suggest taking the wheel off again? Look everything over, watch the videos and look at the step by step procedure on this forum. You made it through the worst part of the job, mounting the tire. Pull that wheel off, look everything over and put it back together according to the video and use a torque wrench. I use a little silicone spray on those rubber inserts to make them go together easier. Do you have a riding buddy that works on bikes that could give you a hand?
I will do as you advise. I do have a mechanic who is a BMW master tech, so he should know all about exploding final drives.
 

Wheelin

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It's almost certainly tire noise. I became alarmed about a similar sound with K60's, I believe it was. The sound went away as they wore. However, it came back anytime I leaned over onto the cornering tread.

Reviews such as this one make a lot of reference to Anakee 3 noise.

https://www.webbikeworld.com/michelin-anakee-iii-tire-review/
I’ll check things out and yank the wheel again, but looks like you’re onto something here, Curt. Thanks.
 

OldRider

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I put a set of A3's on and experienced the same exact sound. What was strange was that the sound only happened at 42 mph and 62 mph. I thought it was the front tire so I swapped it out with a Dunlop and I still had the sound. I put the A3 front tire back on and after about another 500 miles, I couldn't stand it any more. I was going to the mountains last week so before I left I put a set of Dunlop Road Smart 3's on and all the howling noise went away. It was the A3's making the noise and mostly the rear. The Dunlop RS3's are very quit and grip the road very well.
 

Wheelin

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Does the noise change with rpm changes, or only speed changes? If only with speed changes, it's likely tire related and no big deal. If it changes with rpms, more checking may be required.

You may have had the nose before, just are more sensitive to things since you did a tire change. Probably fine. The most common errors are tightening the pinch bolts before torqing the axle nut, which can cause things to be loose later. The other more or less common issue is getting the brake caliper back over the rotor with both pads on one side of the rotor instead of in the middle of the pads. That's typically noticed very quickly after the first braking event!
I only noticed it with speed changes, typically around 40 mph up to 50 mph. And fortunately, I put the brake pads on either side of the rotor.
 

Wheelin

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I put a set of A3's on and experienced the same exact sound. What was strange was that the sound only happened at 42 mph and 62 mph. I thought it was the front tire so I swapped it out with a Dunlop and I still had the sound. I put the A3 front tire back on and after about another 500 miles, I couldn't stand it any more. I was going to the mountains last week so before I left I put a set of Dunlop Road Smart 3's on and all the howling noise went away. It was the A3's making the noise and mostly the rear. The Dunlop RS3's are very quit and grip the road very well.
Yes! That’s when I notice the sound—at around those speeds!
 

OldRider

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Yes! That’s when I notice the sound—at around those speeds!
Ya it was strange. The howl would start right at 42 and 62 and go away at 45 and 65. I even took off the Piaa lights and the engine guard trying to pinpoint the noise. Changed tires and no more noise.
 
R

RonH

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A little standard lithium grease works fine on the axle. The way the motorcycle is designed it's pretty foolproof on the rear wheel install. I put the anakee 3 on my 2012 and had the same noise. I thought possibly I had done something wrong as well. They worked hard to design that tire that noisey.
 

Wheelin

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A little standard lithium grease works fine on the axle. The way the motorcycle is designed it's pretty foolproof on the rear wheel install. I put the anakee 3 on my 2012 and had the same noise. I thought possibly I had done something wrong as well. They worked hard to design that tire that noisey.
Cool, thanks.
 

OldRider

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A little standard lithium grease works fine on the axle. The way the motorcycle is designed it's pretty foolproof on the rear wheel install. I put the anakee 3 on my 2012 and had the same noise. I thought possibly I had done something wrong as well. They worked hard to design that tire that noisey.
Did the noise on yours come and go at different speeds?
 

EricV

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I only noticed it with speed changes, typically around 40 mph up to 50 mph. And fortunately, I put the brake pads on either side of the rotor.
That does sound like tire noise then. Should go away after a while as the tires wear in.

I just use moly grease on the axle if that's what's in the gun, otherwise I like marine wheel bearing grease, (trailer wheel bearing grease to some). It's waterproof and very sticky. Stays on the axle between tire changes and doesn't dry out.
 

Wheelin

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That does sound like tire noise then. Should go away after a while as the tires wear in.

I just use moly grease on the axle if that's what's in the gun, otherwise I like marine wheel bearing grease, (trailer wheel bearing grease to some). It's waterproof and very sticky. Stays on the axle between tire changes and doesn't dry out.
Thank you. Though in all honesty, I’m pretty much a “fair weather” rider and never ride in the rain. This bike is purely a long commuter bike, though it was not originally intended as such. :( Anyway, it’s pretty easy to ride in fair weather when one lives in California.
 

EricV

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I lived in So UT until recently. 330 days of sunshine. Rode all over the US, but the point is that it's a Good Idea™ to put some grease or antisieze on the alxes so they slide out easy at the next tire change. Especially if you end up going a while between changes. Even for a CA rider, they can just dry out and be a real pita to get out. 10 minutes now is better than an hour and cursing later. ;)
 
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