Suspension kind of squeaks :)

uklemond · Post by **uklemond** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:59 pm

Hi guys

I noticed over the last few days that when i go over any type of ground that is not level (lets face it in Boston thats all roads) that there is a squeak coming from the bike. If i sit still in traffic and bounce i recreate the squeaking noise.

Is this normal or is this something i should get the dealer to investigate? The bike is less than a month old, although it has done over a thousand miles all ready. My style of driving is not aggressive, however there are bumps and lumps all over my route and most are unavoidable. Could this be the reason it has started to squeak?

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:01 pm

I will bet a litter of kittens that it's your center stand.

uklemond · Post by **uklemond** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:02 pm

Tocsik wrote:I will bet a litter of kittens that it's your center stand.

Help a noob out. Whats the suggestion there then? Leave it its normal or get it checked out as it could be something underlying that will cause issues further down the line?

Fargo Rollin · Post by **Fargo Rollin** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:07 pm

Get down on the ground and spray any pivot points on the stand with a lubricant like WD40. At least that's what I did with mine last year and the squeaking hasn't returned yet

uklemond · Post by **uklemond** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:11 pm

Fargo Rollin wrote:Get down on the ground and spray any pivot points on the stand with a lubricant like WD40. At least that's what I did with mine last year and the squeaking hasn't returned yet

Home Depot here i come

thanks guys

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:29 pm

Test it by sitting on your scooter and pushing down slightly on the center stand with your left foot. While holding the center stand downward, bounce a little on your seat to move the suspension. If you don't hear the squeak, it's most likely the stand.

My scooter is 4 years old and I have quite a few miles on it. I can't get my center stand squeak gone for more than a day or two in warm weather but we have really low humidity here in Denver (often in the single digits) so that might contribute.
I have tried numerous lubricants; even took the whole thing apart, cleaned up all the hardware and brushed on fresh grease to everything. Keeps coming back.

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:45 am

I had the same problem with the squeeks and after close inspection it was comming from the center stand, a little WD40 and no more squeeks.

uklemond · Post by **uklemond** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 1:29 pm

Tocsik wrote:Test it by sitting on your scooter and pushing down slightly on the center stand with your left foot. While holding the center stand downward, bounce a little on your seat to move the suspension. If you don't hear the squeak, it's most likely the stand.

So here is the additional info to my small dilema

After posting this i got on the scooter kicked up the stand and bounced. No squeaks. Started riding and no squeaks.

Half way through my journey the squeks started to arrive, sounds like a bunch of canaries in my bike. Got home put the bike to bed, no time to WD40 anything i was tired and hot and miserable.

Got up this morning, and again no squeaks. Rinse and repeat, because half way through the canaries were back. I however stopped off to get a drink to cool down about 5 miles out from my destination. I was only stopped for a few minutes, 3 max - Started the bike back up and the squeaks were gone. Well for about 2 miles and VOILA here are my little yellow birdies singing me a song.

So does this still sound like the centre stand? I will pop out for WD40 this afternoon, but it is rather odd the scenario in which the squeaks are present then not so.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 1:49 pm

uklemond wrote: So does this still sound like the centre stand? I will pop out for WD40 this afternoon, but it is rather odd the scenario in which the squeaks are present then not so.

Different road surfaces? Maybe one is bumpier than the other?
Mine squeaks intermittently, sometimes it is dependent on my speed over the bumps as well(?)
No biggie really, keeps me 'company' when I ride......

uklemond · Post by **uklemond** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 1:54 pm

KABarash wrote:
uklemond wrote: So does this still sound like the centre stand? I will pop out for WD40 this afternoon, but it is rather odd the scenario in which the squeaks are present then not so.
Different road surfaces? Maybe one is bumpier than the other?
Mine squeaks intermittently, sometimes it is dependent on my speed over the bumps as well(?)
No biggie really, keeps me 'company' when I ride......

Different road services will not explain why it squeaks when stood still and just me bouncing on it though. Like i said Before i start it is fine and upto half way through the journey it is fine then it starts to squeak. Not just when riding, but even when i stand still and just bounce up and down. Switch it off and wait a few minutes turn it back on and the squeaks exist no more. However only for a limited time.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 2:07 pm

uklemond wrote:
KABarash wrote:
uklemond wrote: So does this still sound like the centre stand? I will pop out for WD40 this afternoon, but it is rather odd the scenario in which the squeaks are present then not so.
Different road surfaces? Maybe one is bumpier than the other?
Mine squeaks intermittently, sometimes it is dependent on my speed over the bumps as well(?)
No biggie really, keeps me 'company' when I ride......
Different road services will not explain why it squeaks when stood still and just me bouncing on it though. Like i said Before i start it is fine and upto half way through the journey it is fine then it starts to squeak. Not just when riding, but even when i stand still and just bounce up and down. Switch it off and wait a few minutes turn it back on and the squeaks exist no more. However only for a limited time.

Well.....

I guess I should have read first and thought later...
If it is the center stand, my dealer suggested 'chain lube' it'll have a more lasting effect over WD-40 although WD-40 is what I use. I would think a dab or two of white lithium grease would do the job as well.
'Slather' it well and see what happens.....

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:51 pm

Certain speeds or vibration frequencies could be causing the squeak. Spray the center stand with some WD40 and see how it goes. If it still squeaks after that, then move on to the next level of diagnosis.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:00 pm

To rule out the center stand, tie it up somehow with some baling wire/paracord/bungees and go for a ride and see if your scoot still squeaks.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:28 pm

I notice my center stand spring is pretty weak now and probably needs to be replaced. Maybe yours is the same and a new tighter spring would prevent the stand from moving while riding.

I usually lube with Dupont Teflon Multi-Use Dry, Wax Lubricant. I use it because you spray it on and let it sit for awhile and the solvents dry up and leave behind a dry lubricant. It's nice and clean and doesn't attract dirt. It lasts longer because it stays in place after coating the object with a dry film of lube. I use it on my center stand and seat latch. You still need to occasionally re-lube, but not nearly at the same frequency as WD-40. Some lubricating oils last a long time, but they gunk up your scooter with black, dirty oil. Not the Dupont product I use.

I would try some of my Dupont stuff and spray it on the pivot points as well as the spring attachment points. But you'll have to make sure there's no filthy oil or leftover WD-40 on the surfaces before spraying. So you might have to use a degreaser first.

It probably won't fix the problem, but it might be worth a try.

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:45 pm

I had to replace my center stand spring, too.
I noticed it was flopping down a bit when I took a left turn and there was a bump in it. The spring getting stretched-out a bit also let the stand make a buzzing/rattling sound at high rpm's.

The bee-otch of buying these small parts from $cooterworks and $cooterlounge is the dang shipping charges.

$5.98 shipping for a $1.98 part

.
C'mon! Just put it in a padded envelope and charge us reasonably!!!!

mhardgrove · Post by **mhardgrove** » Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:30 pm

I lost my spring and replaced it, this new one is extremly loose allowing centerstand chatter/squeek. What I did was removed the stand and put a thick coat of anti sieze on the mounting area and bolt and tightened it back down well. I'm going to have to either find a spring that is slightly shorter or bend the tab down more on the center stand to not allow that slack when the stand is up. My spring is fine, I think the tab is bent upward over the years.

So far the antizieze seems to be working, as the metal in it along with tight bolts is keeping it from chattering/squeezing. May only be temporary its been a mounth and less than 10 miles only.

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:27 am

Fargo Rollin wrote:Get down on the ground and spray any pivot points on the stand with a lubricant like WD40. At least that's what I did with mine last year and the squeaking hasn't returned yet

WD40 isn't a great lubricant, It's not what it's made for. A good 3 in 1 oil will likely last longer.

mhardgrove · Post by **mhardgrove** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:17 am

Hear of people using graphite lubes or synthetic compounds to help lube for long periods of time too. Ever figure if it was the stand?