A motorcycle’s front or back wheel squeaking is a fairly common problem that can be caused by a wide range of things. It doesn’t matter how fast you ride your bike; this squeaking sound will keep happening.
If you have a squeaky problem, you should follow my experience and the skills I learned in the past. Here are the eight causes you must not avoid.
Why Is My Motorcycle Squeaking?
There are a few reasons why your motorcycle might be squeaking, but the most common one is simply that it needs to be lubricated. When metal rubs against metal, it causes friction, and that’s what produces the squeaking sound.
ADVERTISEMENT
If you don’t keep your motorcycle properly lubricated, the friction can damage the metal and create more serious problems down the road. So it’s important to do some basic maintenance and make sure your motorcycle is lubricated on a regular basis.
Here is an explanation of some of the most common reasons why motorcycles squeak:
1. Less or more tire pressure
If you’re hearing a squeaking noise that seems to be coming from your tires, one of the first things you should check is your tire pressure. If the pressure is too low, it can cause the treads to separate from the tire, which will create a squeaking noise.
If the pressure is too high, it can also cause problems. The high pressure can cause the sidewalls of the tires to flex, which creates friction and heat. The heat can cause the treads to break down and wear away, which will also create a squeaking noise.
ADVERTISEMENT
The best way to avoid this problem is to check your tire pressure regularly and keep it at the recommended level.
2. Loose Tire Spokes
The spokes on your motorcycle’s tires are what keep the wheel attached to the bike. If they’re loose, it’s going to cause all sorts of problems—including, you guessed it, a really annoying squeak.
Tightening the spokes is a pretty easy fix, but you’re going to need a spoke wrench. You can usually find one at your local motorcycle shop, or even online.
Once you have the wrench, start at the center of the wheel and work your way out. You’ll want to tighten each spoke a little at a time until they’re all snug. Be careful not to overtighten, though—you could damage the spoke or even snap it off completely
3. Wheel alignment and balancing
If your motorcycle is making a high-pitched squeaking noise, it’s likely because of an issue with your wheel alignment or balancing. This is usually caused by normal wear and tear on the bike, and can be fixed relatively easily.
To fix this issue, you’ll need to take your motorcycle to a mechanic or dealership that specializes in motorcycles. They’ll be able to properly align and balance your wheels, which will stop the squeaking noise.
4. Worn tires
The next most common cause of squealing tires is simply that they’re worn. When the tread on your tires gets low, it causes them to flex more. This increased flexing generates more heat, which causes the rubber to break down and eventually leads to small cracks in the surface of the tire. Once these cracks appear, they act as channels for water to enter the tire. When you hit a puddle or ride in the rain, water can enter through these cracks and cause your tires to squeal.
5. Steering dampers
Another potential fix for your motorcycle squeaking is to check your steering dampers. Steering dampers help to dampen out any vibrations coming from the front wheel, and if they’re not working properly, they can cause all sorts of problems—including a squeaky sound.
If you’re not sure how to check your steering dampers, take a look at your manual or ask a professional. But in general, you’ll want to make sure that they’re clean and lubricated, and that they’re not loose or damaged in any way.
6. Faded brake pads
If you have faded brake pads, it’s likely that they’re not gripping the rotor correctly, and that’s what’s causing the squealing noise. The fix is pretty simple: you just need to replace the pads.
You can either take your bike to a mechanic and have them do it, or you can watch a few YouTube videos and do it yourself. If you choose to do it yourself, make sure you invest in a good quality set of brake pads so you don’t have to keep replacing them.
7. Pollutants stuck in between brake pads and rotors
Last but not least, pollutants can also get stuck in between your brake pads and rotors, causing that annoying squeaking sound every time you hit the brakes.
The best way to fix this is to simply clean the area with brake cleaner and a lint-free cloth. You might need to use a toothbrush or other small brush to get rid of all the grime, but once you do, your brakes should be good as new!
8. Low brake fluid
If your brake fluid is low, that can also cause your brakes to squeal. This is because the level of fluid in your reservoir affects the pressure in your system, and if the pressure gets too low, that can cause your brake pads to vibrate against your rotors.
The fix here is to simply check your fluid level and top it off if it’s low. You can find the reservoir on the right side of your motorcycle near the front. It’s usually a transparent plastic container with a white cap, and there should be a line indicating the maximum fill level. If the fluid level is below that line, you’ll need to add more.
How Do You Stop Squeaky Motorcycle Brakes?
If you’re still struggling to stop your motorcycle brakes from squeaking, don’t worry, there are a few things you can try.
First, make sure that your brake pads are compatible with your brake rotors. If they’re not, that’s usually the root of the problem.
Second, try cleaning your brake pads with rubbing alcohol or a brake pad cleaning spray. If they’re still dirty, you can try replacing them.
Third, make sure that your brake calipers are sliding smoothly. You can do this by lubricating them with caliper grease or silicone spray.
Fourth, if you have aftermarket brakes, make sure that they’re properly bedded in. This means breaking them in slowly at first so that they can get used to the heat and pressure of braking.
Finally, if all else fails, you can always take your motorcycle to a mechanic to have them take a look at it.
Motorcycle Squeaking When Accelerating
If your motorcycle starts making a high-pitched squealing noise when you rev the throttle, it’s most likely due to your clutch.
When you rev the engine, the clutch opens and closes rapidly, and this can cause the friction plates to start to wear out. If you continue to ride with a clutch that’s in poor condition, it will eventually fail completely.
Unfortunately, there’s not really a fix for this problem other than replacing the clutch. So if you’re hearing this noise, it’s time to take your bike to a mechanic and have them take a look.
Conclusion
If you hear squeaking coming from your motorcycle while you’re out on the road, it can be very annoying. However, if you pinpoint the underlying problems and address them, you will have no trouble getting rid of them.
There is no need for concern if you read all the causes that are explained in detail. If you think other people would enjoy reading this post, please forward it to them.
