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Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Le Z Turbo on February 16, 2014, 08:17:17 PM

Title: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: Le Z Turbo on February 16, 2014, 08:17:17 PM
I had several trip under the rain. My motor is now making a bad bearing noise at low speed.
Anyone experiencing that ?
Is there a way of putting some oil or grease without disassembly ?

Laurent
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: spelunker on February 16, 2014, 10:38:49 PM
If you have at least a 2013 bike, it's my understanding that the motors are sealed.
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: Richard230 on February 16, 2014, 10:49:14 PM
I adjusted my 2012 bike's belt recently and it developed a low-speed (under 20 mph) vibration the next time I rode it.  It is possible that tight belt tension, or misalignment of the cog wheels, might result in the vibration that you are feeling.  It might not be a bad bearing in the motor.  Double-check your belt tension and its alignment with the front sprocket.
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: BSDThw on February 16, 2014, 10:58:21 PM
Are you sure it is the motor?

I had a strange sound from the "motor" . I cleaned my sprockets and belt "insides" with a medium brush and water and the noise disappeared.
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: ColoPaul on February 16, 2014, 11:27:44 PM
I had a strange sound from the "motor" . I cleaned my sprockets and belt "insides" with a medium brush and water and the noise disappeared.
Same thing happened to me. 

I'm sure that ICE bikes w/belts have this problem too, but noone notices because they're too loud and shaky. :)
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: vchampain on February 17, 2014, 12:00:24 AM
I sometimes have this kind of noise after the rain. Usually it disappears.
It might also be "the click" - if it is a unique "click" sound when your accelerate.
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: NoiseBoy on February 17, 2014, 11:39:59 PM
The rear wheel bearing is a weak point. It had to be replaced after 5k miles on my bike so that is worth checking. Also belt tension is key. Even slightly wrong and it makes all sorts of noises you could never imagine a belt could make.
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: BSDThw on February 18, 2014, 12:02:51 AM
Quote
It had to be replaced after 5k miles on my bike

What was the exact reason for the replacement?
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: NoiseBoy on February 18, 2014, 04:18:49 AM
It was making a grinding noise so i took it in.  TBH i don't know if there was play in the rear wheel or not because i never got the bike on a stand before taking it in.
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: ivaniclixx on February 18, 2014, 02:35:18 PM
MY 2012 S ZF9 also makes noises on rain (i was advertised in advance when i bought it). The noise is much more worse under heavy rain.
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on February 18, 2014, 11:47:35 PM
It's interesting if the rain symptom (which I experience as a kind of soft growl) just implies a cleaning of the sprocket teeth. There's a thread here for Victory bikes that says their manual recommends soft nylon brush with soap and water, so that's pretty easy. I just deal with frequent rain and hope my belt has a nice long life despite that. The noise usually clears itself pretty quickly (after a day or so), in any case.


http://www.thevog.net/forum/thread/15009/cleaning-belt/ (http://www.thevog.net/forum/thread/15009/cleaning-belt/)


I'll try a simple cleaning job and see if that cuts back on it drastically, but my driveway opens onto a bumpy dirt and gravel alley so I don't think it'll stay clean long unless there's some kind of oil I can put on it safely (doubtful).
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: Le Z Turbo on February 22, 2014, 02:44:31 PM
First of all thanks to all of you for your replies. That's a great forum !!!

Cleaning was the solution: indeed the inner of the belt was dirty and make that strange noise. And indeed as our bike make almost no noise you hear everything !!!

Laurent
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: NoiseBoy on February 22, 2014, 06:58:10 PM
What is the method? Just soapy water and a brush?
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: Richard230 on February 22, 2014, 09:36:01 PM
What is the method? Just soapy water and a brush?

That is what I would recommend and then flush with some low-pressure water.
Title: Re: Electrical motor bearing and grease
Post by: lolachampcar on February 23, 2014, 09:52:10 PM
WRT the rear wheel bearings, mine died on my 13 within the first 100 miles.  I pulled it apart and found that wheel bearing spacer that slides over the axle was too short which effectively pinched or side loaded the bearings.  Results were predictable.  Zero replaced the wheel straight away no questions asked.

If you pull your rear wheel to do bearings, you may want to measure the spacer.