Front wheel making scratchy, rubbing noise

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Mon May 27, 2013 11:53 pm

Ok, so winter is over and it's time to take out the Buddy. When rotating the front tire so that I could check the pressure and add air I noticed it's making a kind of dry, rubbing noise. It's hard to explain. Kind of like a scratching but very faint, kind of like a metallic whisper. Does anyone have any idea what this could be?

SeanF · Post by **SeanF** » Tue May 28, 2013 12:17 am

Most likely, it is just the brake pad dragging lightly against the disk. This is normal, and as long as it is not affecting the wheel's rotation, nothing to worry about.

mukaiboston · Post by **mukaiboston** » Tue May 28, 2013 5:40 am

I just noticed a problem like this on my scoot, yet I only hear it when I go greater than 30mph. It's a little unnerving.

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Tue May 28, 2013 5:50 am

mukaiboston wrote:I just noticed a problem like this on my scoot, yet I only hear it when I go greater than 30mph. It's a little unnerving.

The sound mine is making is so slight that I can't hear it at all over the sound of engine. It doesn't seem to be interfering with anything but I can't stand sounds I can't identify. I'm so paranoid that if I hear something strange or smell something strange, even for a second, my hackles go up and I'm like "What's that?!?" I think the idea of what you fear the most meeting you halfway was created just for me.

Throwback7R · Post by **Throwback7R** » Tue May 28, 2013 12:05 pm

either brake pad or wheel bearing.. most likely the pad.

mukaiboston · Post by **mukaiboston** » Tue May 28, 2013 3:00 pm

LuvMyScoot wrote:
The sound mine is making is so slight that I can't hear it at all over the sound of engine.

Yeah, mine is very slight too. For a long time I wasn't even sure if it was me.

wschmechel · Post by **wschmechel** » Tue May 28, 2013 5:32 pm

what you fear the most meeting you halfway

Classic Pearl Jam "Crazy Mary" lyric. Nicely done Luv!

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Tue May 28, 2013 8:52 pm

wschmechel wrote:
what you fear the most meeting you halfway
Classic Pearl Jam "Crazy Mary" lyric. Nicely done Luv!

Actually I heard it originally on an episode of "The Waltons". I wonder if Victoria Williams (who wrote "Crazy Mary") did too.

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Tue May 28, 2013 8:53 pm

Throwback7R wrote:either brake pad or wheel bearing.. most likely the pad.

Doesn't sound like a wheel bearing. Wouldn't that be more of a clunking noise? If it is the pad, should I do nothing?

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Tue May 28, 2013 9:17 pm

Totally sounds like the pad -- had a HD Sportster that did the same thing. Took it to the dealer, and they said that everything was fine and that some bikes just do that.

Don't worry, eventually the pad will wear down and the noise will go away.

Throwback7R · Post by **Throwback7R** » Tue May 28, 2013 9:30 pm

wheel bearing would start off with a wirring sound.

this video shows a really bad one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tadvk1RwUE

LuvMyScoot · Post by **LuvMyScoot** » Wed May 29, 2013 2:31 am

Throwback7R wrote:wheel bearing would start off with a wirring sound.

this video shows a really bad one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tadvk1RwUE

I found a video of a motorcycle with a bad bearing and it COULD be that, although the sound tended to go in and out when he spun the wheel whereas mine is constant when I spin it. Do you think 6,800 miles is enough to have already worn out a bearing?

rick71454 · Post by **rick71454** » Wed May 29, 2013 3:41 am

Hello BuddyLand:

I got almost 17,000 miles on my Buddy 125.

When it is on the center stand, I lifted up my front wheel, l spun it several times. After free spinning a few revolutions, it stops. Not like a pedal bike that keeps on spinning for a lot.

The back wheel is worse. It makes loud scouring sound. Is that the brakes and or bearings? Or is that normal being connected to the transmission?

Should both scooter wheels be spinning a lot after you give them a whirl?

Rick71454

Swordsman · Post by **Swordsman** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 8:48 pm

gar1013 wrote: had a HD Sportster that did the same thing. Took it to the dealer, and they said that everything was fine and that some bikes just do that.

Yeah, but that's the default response to anything a dealer doesn't feel like digging into, regardless of vehicle.

I concur on it being normal brake pad noises. Most people don't realize that the caliper presses the brake pad against the rotor, but DOESN'T move it back away, just simply releases the pressure. The pads are always in contact (unless your pads have little springs on them).

Brake drums, on the other hand, shouldn't be making noise. when turning. If they do, then the brake shoe is dragging and needs adjustment.

~SM