Noise from the rear end

[DuncanRW]

Hi Gang- New Freekin Guy here . Forty years on Harleys, just picked up a '17 Freewheeler with 1750 miles on it. Seller took good care of it all those years but it did sit. I've got abour 500 miles or so on her now and we're starting to get to know each other better. It's my 1st M-8.

The issue- I've noticed a faint squeal that almost sounds like whistling coming from (I think) the right rear wheel area. Any thoughts or input? Thanks in advance, and I look forward to hanging out with y'uuns !!

 

[DuncanRW]

I suspect it might just be a bearing, but- ya know- there's more going on in the rear end of these things than any other bike I've ever had.

 

[JTJersey]

Hi Gang- New Freekin Guy here . Forty years on Harleys, just picked up a '17 Freewheeler with 1750 miles on it. Seller took good care of it all those years but it did sit. I've got abour 500 miles or so on her now and we're starting to get to know each other better. It's my 1st M-8.

The issue- I've noticed a faint squeal that almost sounds like whistling coming from (I think) the right rear wheel area. Any thoughts or input? Thanks in advance, and I look forward to hanging out with y'uuns !!

I've heard that same squeal off and on since my '21 Freewheeler was new. (30,000 miles on it now) The dealer suggested it was just a bit of road dirt that may have gotten into the brake area. They couldn't hear it when they test road it. I've seen no unusual brake pad wear, there hasn't been any looseness of the wheel whenever I've had it off the ground to check. Lug nuts are all torqued properly. It's not loud enough to be concerning, but I can still hear it squealing on occasion, then it stops for several thousand miles. So basically I stopped worrying about. I remember riding my '78 Shovelhead for hours headed towards VA or someplace and being about half-way zoned out on a hot Interstate and suddenly the top end sounded like it was losing it's valves, then it would stop before I could react to it and be fine. I mean like, WTF? Did that for 33 years.

 

[ROAD DOG]

Goes like this, It's a Harley that's normal, oil leaks, parts falling off, smoke out of the mufflers, sounds like one of the connecting rods is going to rap ya in the Testical's. No problem Take the Mufflers off it you won't hear that SHIT ! Welcome to trike Talk

 

[Papa Zook]

Howdy Duncan, good to have you join us.

 

[DuncanRW]

I've heard that same squeal off and on since my '21 Freewheeler was new. (30,000 miles on it now) The dealer suggested it was just a bit of road dirt that may have gotten into the brake area. They couldn't hear it when they test road it. I've seen no unusual brake pad wear, there hasn't been any looseness of the wheel whenever I've had it off the ground to check. Lug nuts are all torqued properly. It's not loud enough to be concerning, but I can still hear it squealing on occasion, then it stops for several thousand miles. So basically I stopped worrying about. I remember riding my '78 Shovelhead for hours headed towards VA or someplace and being about half-way zoned out on a hot Interstate and suddenly the top end sounded like it was losing it's valves, then it would stop before I could react to it and be fine. I mean like, WTF? Did that for 33 years.

Yup, now that you mention it, I've got similar stories about "ghost noises" that drive you nuts. Thanks, and Speed Safely !!

 

[DuncanRW]

Goes like this It's a Harley that's normal, oil leaks, parts falling off, smoke out of the mufflers, sounds like one of the connecting rods is going to rap ya in the Testical's. No problem Take the Mufflers off it you won't hear that SHIT ! Welcome to trike Talk

LOLOL !! Thanks for an early in the day grin, Man !!

 

[DuncanRW]

Howdy Duncan, good to have you join us.

Hiya Mr. Bossman Admin . Glad to be here. Been riding since '74, somewhere between apprentice and journeyman as a wrench, and I'm near the quarter million mile mark on bikes. Flrt-y Cherry (like the name lol) is a horse of a different color. She's intended to be my new "big road" bike. I've got 15 states to hit in the lower 48 before my body and brain can't do it anymore. As such, I wanna make sure that she's ready to romp by the time I resume bucket list stuff next month !!

I'm glad I found y'uuns to better understand the specific nature of these noble beasts.

 

[priell3]

I was riding my wife's Freewheeler one day and heard a strange noise. I was looking and listening to everything. It turned out to be the keys in the windshield bag.