Freewheeler Making Random Screeching Noise

[JTJersey]

Started to notice this after the 1000 mile service. At around 55 mph or beyond, I hear a random screeching coming from the vicinity of the right rear wheel. Doesn't do it all the time and it's not a constant screech. It'll go something like "screech, pause, screech-screech-screech, pause, screech" if that makes sense. There's no pattern to it. It sounds for all the world like metal on metal at the brake. Told them about it at the 5000 mile service, but the tech said they couldn't reproduce it and the brake wear is normal. I can see they test rode it by the odometer reading, which I took note of before dropping it off. I can't hear it when wearing my full helmet, but I CAN hear it when wearing my half helmet with open ear flaps, but even then not all the time. That's what's so annoying about this noise. I can't reproduce it on demand either, but when it's screeching I can't miss it.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I would take it in and have the axle end play checked

The stamped steel retainer plates are flimsy and cause the axles to have too much play

 

[JTJersey]

I would take it in and have the axle end play checked The stamped steel retainer plates are flimsy and cause the axles to have too much play

With a brand new trike? I asked them to check it while they had it and they told me they couldn't reproduce the noise.

 

[rhino 2]

With a brand new trike? I asked them to check it while they had it and they told me they couldn't reproduce the noise.

Could it be a plastic panel rubbing against another ...:Shrug:...

 

[Jack Klarich]

Jack it up in neutral ( bunge the front brake) turn the rear wheel slow, do you hear a noise? Pull on the wheel ( in and out) does it move excessive?

 

[JTJersey]

Jack it up in neutral ( bunge the front brake) turn the rear wheel slow, do you hear a noise? Pull on the wheel ( in and out) does it move excessive?

Excellent, thank you. I've been looking at floor jacks for a while. Figured I'd need one eventually. Any thoughts on what type of a jack to get? I believe the manual has instructions for jacking the rear end off the ground.

 

[JTJersey]

Went ahead and ordered a Trike jack. Once I get it I'll try checking that wheel for squeaks like Jack suggested.

 

[52edub]

Check the belt. They can make a nice screeching sound if loose or misaligned

 

[Jack Klarich]

Just for grins, check the exhaust crossover pipe, it has been known to make noise.

Also, grab hold of the mufflers and check for noise, push and try to pull them. Sometimes the rubber hangers can make them squeak. If they squeak you will need to give the rubbers a shot of lube

 

[JTJersey]

Jack it up in neutral ( bunge the front brake) turn the rear wheel slow, do you hear a noise? Pull on the wheel ( in and out) does it move excessive?

So my floor jack came in and I raised the rear wheels. While in neutral I turned the right wheel. Didn't make any noise and had no in and out play at all that I could detect. It's been a high of 41 around here. May have to wait a while before I can listen on the road again.

 

[Jack Klarich]

So my floor jack came in and I raised the rear wheels. While in neutral I turned the right wheel. Didn't make any noise and had no in and out play at all that I could detect. It's been a high of 41 around here. May have to wait a while before I can listen on the road again.

If you can ride alongside a wall or barrier to see for sure if the noise is coming from the right side Pull the clutch in and see if the noise goes away

 

[CapeTeddy]

Mine started making the same noise after towing it for 8 hours in a covered trailer last May.. As soon as I unloaded it, it started making that screeching noise when backing up and then hitting the foot brake. I took it in to Harley and they couldn't find anything wrong. Of course it didn't make the noise for the mechanics to hear.. It even did it on bike night a couple months later and some of the sales staff heard it but of course no one from the service dept. was there. So since they checked the brakes and said everything looks fine, I left it alone. It's not causing any problems, just makes that loud noise or screeching metal sound once in awhile.