RM 125: High pitched squealing noise

burnside
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burnside
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 12:33pm
Hey guys..

I was out riding last weekend on my 2004 RM125, conditions were pretty wet. Like sticky and deep, so the bike was heavy and generally working hard. She is also well overdue a new top end.

Anyways, on the third session coming out of a corner, after powering through a load of really deep, sticky, momentum killing mulch I started hearing a kind of squeaky, high pitched sound. My hunch is that it came from the left hand side of the motor. My initial reaction while I was riding (which is totally ridiculous) was that my boot was rubbing on something and making the noise. (Utterly ridiculous I know. How would I hear my boot squeaking over the engine? haha).

The noise went away, I did one more lap and it made the same noise on the same spot of the track, so I pulled in for the day.

I'm utterly useless with engines, so I'm going to drop her in with a mechanic for a decent service.

But I just wondered if you guys had any ideas what this could be? Did a bit of googling and seems like its happened to other people, some guys were guessing it could be the main bearing.

Like i said, I'm useless with engines so any info would be much appreciated.
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CamP
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CamP 11/16/2011 2:10pm
11/16/2011 2:10pm
Could be something as simple as too low tranny oil level. Could be more involved like a bearing going out.
burnside
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burnside 11/16/2011 2:15pm
11/16/2011 2:15pm
Hmmm. Cheers Cam.

So, *if it was low gear oil, would that mean other stuff would have been fried in there?
scooter5002
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scooter5002 11/16/2011 4:12pm
11/16/2011 4:12pm
burnside wrote:
Hmmm. Cheers Cam.

So, *if it was low gear oil, would that mean other stuff would have been fried in there?
Ding ding ding! What's behind Door # 3, Johnny?!
That's right, it's a brand new CAR!!!
Seriously burnside, it depends on how low it was. They'll go a ways low on oil, because it can get enough "splash" to keep things "reasonably" well lubricated. The bike's moving all the time, side to side and what not, but it depends on the level. You didn't pull the "check screw" before you packed it in for the day?
It might also be a big end rod bearing on a 125. That 10 grand thing can be tough on them. IF you are lucky, it might only be a main bearing. I just bought 2 new ones for my 93 CR250 from a bearing shop, at 20 bucks a side. Would have been double that from Honda. Fuckers. You can buy aftermarket rod rebuild kits, Pro-X. Hot Rods etc. Just make sure you DON'T buy 1 made in China. Pro-X is your best bet. Made in Japan. I know, I checked before I bought mine. Best of luck my friend.
scooter5002
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scooter5002 11/16/2011 4:15pm
11/16/2011 4:15pm
Oh, and if at ALL possible, do NOT drop that thing at a dealer. Use a generic bike shop and insist on buying all your own parts. If they won't agree, take it somewhere else.

The Shop

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mxtech1
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mxtech1 11/17/2011 5:26am
11/17/2011 5:26am
I would check your chain sliders first. If the chain gets packed with mud it causes it to drag an awful lot. Check the upper and lower roller pucks. Spin them and listen and feel the bearings as you spin. If they feel dry and notchy they can sometimes sqweal when a muddy chain loads them.

If these turn out to be fine, it's probably internally in the engine.
burnside
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burnside 11/17/2011 6:04am
11/17/2011 6:04am
burnside wrote:
Hmmm. Cheers Cam.

So, *if it was low gear oil, would that mean other stuff would have been fried in there?
scooter5002 wrote:
Ding ding ding! What's behind Door # 3, Johnny?! That's right, it's a brand new CAR!!! Seriously burnside, it depends on how low it was. They'll...
Ding ding ding! What's behind Door # 3, Johnny?!
That's right, it's a brand new CAR!!!
Seriously burnside, it depends on how low it was. They'll go a ways low on oil, because it can get enough "splash" to keep things "reasonably" well lubricated. The bike's moving all the time, side to side and what not, but it depends on the level. You didn't pull the "check screw" before you packed it in for the day?
It might also be a big end rod bearing on a 125. That 10 grand thing can be tough on them. IF you are lucky, it might only be a main bearing. I just bought 2 new ones for my 93 CR250 from a bearing shop, at 20 bucks a side. Would have been double that from Honda. Fuckers. You can buy aftermarket rod rebuild kits, Pro-X. Hot Rods etc. Just make sure you DON'T buy 1 made in China. Pro-X is your best bet. Made in Japan. I know, I checked before I bought mine. Best of luck my friend.
haha. Thanks Scoot! Like I said, I'm useless with engines..

No didn't pull the check screw. I live in the city and my bike lives in the suburbs, going to go back at the weekend and check it over again. Bummed because we've had a dry week here and apparently the track is looking prime for this weekend.

I'm going to use a mechanic recommended by the track owner, my friends have used him and has a good rep. I have a few spares already (Clutch plates, power reeds), so going to dump them with him, buy new piston etc and have him give her a once over. Fingers crossed the diagnosis isn't too bad!
burnside
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burnside 11/17/2011 6:09am
11/17/2011 6:09am Edited Date/Time 11/17/2011 6:16am
mxtech1 wrote:
I would check your chain sliders first. If the chain gets packed with mud it causes it to drag an awful lot. Check the upper and...
I would check your chain sliders first. If the chain gets packed with mud it causes it to drag an awful lot. Check the upper and lower roller pucks. Spin them and listen and feel the bearings as you spin. If they feel dry and notchy they can sometimes sqweal when a muddy chain loads them.

If these turn out to be fine, it's probably internally in the engine.
Hmm, the front sprocket area was totally rammed. They've used wood chippings and when it gets wet and mulched its like brown super glue. ha. Will check those. Thanks.
scooter5002
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scooter5002 11/17/2011 6:52am
11/17/2011 6:52am
burnside, don't let that area get to that point. Clean that area out after every moto, if it's problematic, and spray it down with Pam. The kitchen spray. Not the local pit bimbo. I use it in nasty loam mud rides, and it works. Keeps the mud from sticking.
That extra drag on a 125 is brutal for robbing horsepower, not to mention potential for disaster. Obviously you can't do it WHILE you're riding, but every time you throw it up on the stand. Religiously. The Pam REALLY helps.
burnside
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burnside 11/17/2011 7:20am
11/17/2011 7:20am
scooter5002 wrote:
burnside, don't let that area get to that point. Clean that area out after every moto, if it's problematic, and spray it down with Pam. The...
burnside, don't let that area get to that point. Clean that area out after every moto, if it's problematic, and spray it down with Pam. The kitchen spray. Not the local pit bimbo. I use it in nasty loam mud rides, and it works. Keeps the mud from sticking.
That extra drag on a 125 is brutal for robbing horsepower, not to mention potential for disaster. Obviously you can't do it WHILE you're riding, but every time you throw it up on the stand. Religiously. The Pam REALLY helps.
Good idea. I'm from the UK but just googled that stuff, will buy some of the UK equivalent and chuck it in the oils box! Cheers.
mxtech1
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mxtech1 11/17/2011 7:31am
11/17/2011 7:31am
scooter5002 wrote:
burnside, don't let that area get to that point. Clean that area out after every moto, if it's problematic, and spray it down with Pam. The...
burnside, don't let that area get to that point. Clean that area out after every moto, if it's problematic, and spray it down with Pam. The kitchen spray. Not the local pit bimbo. I use it in nasty loam mud rides, and it works. Keeps the mud from sticking.
That extra drag on a 125 is brutal for robbing horsepower, not to mention potential for disaster. Obviously you can't do it WHILE you're riding, but every time you throw it up on the stand. Religiously. The Pam REALLY helps.
burnside wrote:
Good idea. I'm from the UK but just googled that stuff, will buy some of the UK equivalent and chuck it in the oils box! Cheers.
WD-40 works the same and you can usually buy it cheaper in the 1 gallon can.
scooter5002
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scooter5002 11/17/2011 10:25am
11/17/2011 10:25am
London, USA. Lol. Okay. Just use the discarded grease from the local "Fish and Chip" hut. NOTHING will stick to that! You might have noticed the "morning after".Evil
CamP
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CamP 11/17/2011 11:09am
11/17/2011 11:09am
burnside wrote:
Hmmm. Cheers Cam.

So, *if it was low gear oil, would that mean other stuff would have been fried in there?
Typically, the highest gear in there is the kick start idler gear and it's the one that makes noise when the oil level is low. It's a low load gear so it generally doesn't hurt it. Just adding oil to the proper level will usually suffice. BTW, don't rely on the oil inspection hole as it isn't a reliable method of maintaining the proper oil level. Always use the specified volume of oil instead.
OneDirtyMXRider 11/20/2011 5:09pm
11/20/2011 5:09pm
I knew this guy who had a similar problem, simply enough. His Rear tire was low and causing it to sqeak. I dont think it was a real High pitch sqeal but enough to be heard over the motor. I dont know if this is you problem, because that something you probley would have noticed, but i thought id throw that out there. I read the other comments, it seems they all have a similar suggestion so hopefully you figure it out. Good Luck.

P.S. Pro X is the way to go Top End wise. I used athena gasket kits in my 125s. Help up real well. I would also reccomend you buy the clymer repair manual. Since you dont know much about you bike, that will teach you how to do everything yourself and it will pay for itself the first time you "do it yourself" and not the local shop.
ME686
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ME686 11/20/2011 9:05pm
11/20/2011 9:05pm
Had the exact same problem on an RM250. Its rebuild time man, bottom end bearings, I would put money on it. Check the simple things first just incase, but she's toast I would say.
burnside
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burnside 11/21/2011 5:06am
11/21/2011 5:06am Edited Date/Time 11/21/2011 5:06am
ME686 wrote:
Had the exact same problem on an RM250. Its rebuild time man, bottom end bearings, I would put money on it. Check the simple things first...
Had the exact same problem on an RM250. Its rebuild time man, bottom end bearings, I would put money on it. Check the simple things first just incase, but she's toast I would say.
Oh really, what was the verdict on yours? And cost? Dry

Going to drop her off and get a quote this week.

Hey, at least its not a 4-stroke eh! haha. Thanks for the input guys.
ME686
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ME686 11/21/2011 7:57pm
11/21/2011 7:57pm
It was in the $600 range and I did crank, bearings, and piston

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