86 k100 high pitch noise

[pfetter]

I have a 86 k100 that emits a high pitch noise when at 50 to 60 mph. I was wondering if this is normal. I have not had a bmw before, am used to my old 86 Cavalcade. The bmw seems like I want to keep trying to find 6th gear in it when I am goind down the road at 50 or 60. The noise seems to be engine or running gear oriented. thanks

[Ridealot]

I have know idea what the noise is but its not normal. Wanting a taller top gear is normal on a K100. I put about 120k on a K100RT and I always wanted a sixth gear.

If you know or find someone else with a K100 maybe have them listen to the noise for ideas on what it is. Have the splines been lubed in the last 20k miles? Thats the one maintenance item you want to keep up on.

[guzzirider]

I have a 85 rt with 66000 miles. I also have a high pitch whine at about 60 mph. I have noticed it is more pronounced when heading into left hand turns.At higher or lower speeds the whine is not present.I have checked front wheel bearings,checked and lubed rear splines.Everything appears to be in good shape.Changed oil in rear end and the old oil look good with no metal visable in the oil. Anybody got any ideas?

[bprigge]

My 91 K100RS makes what I believe is tire noise from about 50 on up. It does it when banking either way but not in a straight line. It's a high pitched noise and is louder on hot days. My front tire has an interesting wear pattern on it that I suspect has something to with the noise. It's actually pretty loud. You might be hearing tire noise also.
Bruce

[brahma]

I have a n85 K100RT with 88,000+ on it. I had to change the rear drive at around 78,000 miles do to the same type of sound. However, I could also hear it at slow speeds as a sort of grinding I first thought might be the rear disk.

[pcsof8]

My K100(1987) has had that jet engine whine ever since I got it. I think it's inherit in all of'em. Not to worry to much, that k100 was built for about 500,000 miles or more. Best motorcycle ever built.:thumb

[pfetter]

I was going to look into this matter further to see if it could be something loose that would cause a harmonic effect at certain rpm's but unfortunatly I have not had the time to get on the road. I appreciate hearing others comments. It also could be that because BMW's are new to me I am not used to the different type of noise compared to my other rides. I have a 135000 miles on this bike.

[guzzirider]

I got to really looking over my bike this afternoon and noticed that my tires are beginning to cup.I belive that this may be the source of at least some of the noise that I'm hearing.I'm going to replace the back tire this week,I'll see if that helps.

[guzzirider]

Put a new tire on yesterday, and that took care of the noise I was hearing from my bike.