Front wheel bearing noise?

[MagnaRider]

Still been trying to diagnose this issue, last night cleaned my brake rotors (specifically the rear), and viola the noise did not appear on my ride into work today. I'll go for a ride tonight to confirm but I was very surprised...

[the Ferret]

let's hope that solves your issue

[misterprofessionality]

Small question: would you describe this whine as like a cicada noise?

[MagnaRider]

Small question: would you describe this whine as like a cicada noise?

The best way I have been able to describe this noise would be the tire noise that comes off of a truck with offroad tires going down the highway. Obviously, it is waaay quieter than that but definitely noticeable to me. And it only happens at 60mph. Faster or slower it goes away.

[peterbaron]

Is there something we are missing in the initial diagnostics???

1. high pitch whining noise in the front
then
2. to describe this noise would be the tire noise that comes off of a truck with offroad tires going down the highway.

These two diagnoses contradict each other when it comes to describing the noise.

The bike was parked for the winter... and then ridden in the spring when suddenly the noise became apparent.
Has anything been done to the bike between these two episodes??

[MagnaRider]

I'm still somewhat new to motorcycles specifically, and don't have access to advice besides what I find on the forums so any help is appreciated.

My 2014 CB1100 (20,000 miles) developed a high pitch whining noise in the front after its sit over the winter. I did have the front tire off to put gaitors on but reassembled it according to the manual. Even realigned the axle twice to verify I didn't mess it up. (The part where you move the forks up and down before tightening the pinch bolts.) And greased the axle.

I feel like its a bad wheel bearing, but the thing is it ONLY happens at ~60mph. If I cruise at 50mph, quiet, if I cruise at 65 it goes quiet again. But at 60 MPH regardless of gear/rpm it makes this noise. Also hitting the front brake doesn't seem to make a difference either. Any ideas? I've put over 100 miles on it so far with this new noise thinking it might work its way out but still whining.

Thanks for the help!
Colin

[Lord Popgun]

It could be that the crankshaft balancer backlash is out of adjustment. The book says to turn the adjuster one way until the gears whine, then the other way until they whine then back until the whine stops. Maybe someone mis-adjusted it.

There are more detailed instructions in the manual, but it is not hard to check.

PM me your email address and I will take a picture of the service manual page and you can try it and see if this fixes your problem.

The adjuster is on the right side of the engine, way down low. Has a pinch bolt, holder bolt, and a slotted adjuster and some marks for reference.

Just a guess, easy to try, and since it is free, it is cheaper that changing wheel bearings.

[MagnaRider]

Thank you, PM sent

[MagnaRider]

Adjusted the balancer, it was set at 3 notches and seemed like the best spot. I have it set at 3.5 now but did not make a difference still have the noise.
Other notes:
Does not seem to change with front brakes applied - I did flush both clutch and brake fluids this winter
No adverse handling symptoms
Brakes/Wheel does not feel hot after a ride
Like stated, it only happens at 60mph. Slow down or speed up a bit it goes away. It will come in slightly when coasting to a stop at around 40 but its a quieter noise.
The noise sounds like a bad pinion bearing from a truck differential. A higher pitched whine, but I just don't get why it goes away once I start going faster. Maybe this noise existed last year and with my new quieter helmet (less wind noise) I can notice it now. And the noise definitely sounds like its coming from the front of the bike.
I adjusted the chain as well last night, wasn't very loose on the upper end of the range but I didn't get a chance to test ride after that.
Again, any suggestions welcome and thanks for your help!

[Cormanus]

MagnaRider, I'm really sorry. I've stared deep into the saucer of my mechanical knowledge and found nothing. A noise that occurs at a particular speed irrespective of gear or RPM almost sounds like it's being caused by air movement settings up a vibration of some sort. It's not the new screen is it?