ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: spelunker on April 08, 2013, 06:55:21 AM
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I have been riding my 2013 0 S for about two weeks now. Just the other day I noticed a clicking sound coming from underneath the front of the bike. At first, I thought I might be a wheel bearing about to go out. But, I have discovered that the clicking sound stops when I turn off the key, so I know it's not the wheel! I am curious as to what is making the sound. It sounds like it's coming from the front of the battery box. It occurs when there's no load on the motor as when I am maintaining a constant speed on a slight downhill or coasting. My guess is that it is a relay or some sort of switching device possibly switching in and out the regenerative braking. I'm not worried about it, I'm just curious as to what it is (trying to learn about my new bike).
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I've heard about some of the 2013's having a key in the key-way of the motor shaft sprocket that was too small (not the correct key for the slot). :o The characteristic of this error was a clicking sound when the load was taken off (similar to your description) caused by the key moving around in the slot. If that is the problem you are having then you need to let Zero know because it will wear the key-way if not corrected.
Trikester
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If that were the case, why would the sound stop when I turn off the key-switch, as it does in this case?
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Maybe it moving due to magnetic field eddie currents when stopped.
Get it checked out regardless of what the cause is.
Zero needs to know any problems as soon as possible to stop problems in production.
And they try hard to fix issues and get there customers riding again.
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The dealer is closed today. I plan on stopping in tomorrow.
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If that were the case, why would the sound stop when I turn off the key-switch, as it does in this case?
I thought it might stop because when you turn off the switch the motor is no longer acting as a generator so the load on the key-way is different.
Trikester
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That makes sense. But, to me, the sound is coming from the front of the battery box and not the rear where the motor is. I'll know in a couple of hours when the dealer opens. Thanks for the suggestions.
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Please let us know what turns out to be the cause.
Trikester
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Well, I was totally wrong. The tech said it was an issue with the motor or sprocket. He will contact Zero today and get back to me. Details to follow…
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Well, I was totally wrong. The tech said it was an issue with the motor or sprocket. He will contact Zero today and get back to me. Details to follow…
That would be the key & key-way size problem then. Your description did sound like what I had heard.
Trikester
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So then I guess I should probably stop riding it until its fixed?
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Yes. If the key way is sloppy continued use could damage the
shaft and make it permanently sloppy.
Should be a quick fix if they have the right part.
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They do have the right part.
Trikester
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Zero is sending parts based on the description of the technician which fit the discussion of this thread. Hopefully, the parts will be here before Saturday so I can take it in Saturday morning and have it fixed.
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so... 24 miles on my bike and I'm pretty sure I have this issue as well. I hear a clicking noise by my right foot (sorta) its constant when coasting or on partial load, only under moderate-heavy acceleration does it stop, it's slower at slow speeds, faster at fast speeds... sounds like the key issue to me.
Problem is I paid an extra 700$ to have it shipped to the Virgin Islands and I can't exactly just "take it back to the dealer" is there any way this would be fixable by me with the part from zero; can't be too difficult can it?
I've done engine swaps before, installed superchargers and turbo systems, upgraded fuel systems etc... I'm not completely lost in a garage.
spending an extra 1,400 to have the bike shipped back, looked at by the dealer then shipped back again isn't high on my priority list, I've only gotten to ride half a charge so far :-[
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What my dealer told me was that it is a pretty easy fix once he gets the part. It involves where the sprocket connects to the motor. I don't think it would be very difficult for you to change. You'll just have to get them to expedite the correct size part to you.
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I talked to the sales manager and he is making some phone calls, hopefully good things will result :)
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I talked to the sales manager and he is making some phone calls, hopefully good things will result :)
Got a call back today, they said "well I guess if zero has to fly one of us down there that's what we'll have to do" haha,, Oh darn, flying down to the caribien to fix a bike.. haha
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Hey, what ever it takes, right? Maybe he'll bring a bike and you can show him around!
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Hey, what ever it takes, right? Maybe he'll bring a bike and you can show him around!
Is that an allowable carry on? :)
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Hmm I wonder if someone is flying down to fix my bike and they are going to knock yours out too while they are down here...since we both bought ours from Florida motorsports
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Hmm I wonder if someone is flying down to fix my bike and they are going to knock yours out too while they are down here...since we both bought ours from Florida motorsports
well, it sounded like he was joking about flying a guy down from FL motorsports to here... which would be about 1/4th the cost of shipping my bike back there then back here again.
He mentioned your bike & said it was more of an electrical issue, mine is just a simple mechanical issue it sounds like.
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Well, it took Zero eight days to get the parts to my dealer. I'm a little disheartened by the lack of urgency on Zero's part. I had a faulty fuse holder earlier and it took about that long to get that part here, also. In the age of next-day shipping, that to me is unacceptable. But, they replaced both the key and sprocket and the problem seems to be fixed, so I can close the ticket in this repair. I just hope nothing else developes!
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Well, it took Zero eight days to get the parts to my dealer. I'm a little disheartened by the lack of urgency on Zero's part. I had a faulty fuse holder earlier and it took about that long to get that part here, also. In the age of next-day shipping, that to me is unacceptable. But, they replaced both the key and sprocket and the problem seems to be fixed, so I can close the ticket in this repair. I just hope nothing else developes!
they are shipping me the part (and hopfully instructions) so I can get this fixed also... hopefully it's not too difficult.
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Targe T,
I think it will end up being a front sproket key issue, it could be fixed by a local automotive dealer if Zero give you a service bulletin to fix the issue. Save you 1400 on shipping.
All the best,
46
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Targe T,
I think it will end up being a front sproket key issue, it could be fixed by a local automotive dealer if Zero give you a service bulletin to fix the issue. Save you 1400 on shipping.
All the best,
46
They are shipping me the part so I can fix it myself (there are no motorcycle shops / mechanics on this island)
so a little bit of wrench time and I should be good :) (of course... now my bike isn't responding to the throttle, so all I can do is sit on it and pretend I'm riding, but that's a seperate issue)
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Some pictures of the problem might be good, so we know what is making the sound :)
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Some pictures of the problem might be good, so we know what is making the sound :)
I'll see if i can get a video, it's just a noise you hear & sort of "feel" while riding, a quiet clicking when doing anything but moderate-hard acceleration. it doesn't sound "violent" or "bad" in anyway; but it's loud enough that you definately notice it over the quiet noises of the bike.
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Well fine! After replacing the key and the front sprocket, the clicking sound did not cease. I wonder, could the sound be coming from the motor itself? The sound is not as pronounced as before and it stops sooner than it used to.
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To check if the sound is coming from the motor, you could elevate the rear wheel by placing the bike on a stand, then (with a helper holding the bike steady and turning on the throttle slightly) use a mechanic's stethoscope (available from any auto parts store for around $10) to listen to the motor's noise by touching the case with the stethoscope's probe. If the noise is coming from the motor you will clearly hear it through the 'scope. If the sound is coming from somewhere else, you can move the probe around until you pinpoint its location. Just keep the probe away from the moving belt, sprockets or wheel.
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Actually, I was thinking of doing just this Saturday morning. I have the tools, I just need the time to do it. I think I'll call Zero also. My dealer seems to be pretty clueless in this electric arena.
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Actually, I was thinking of doing just this Saturday morning. I have the tools, I just need the time to do it. I think I'll call Zero also. My dealer seems to be pretty clueless in this electric arena.
I don't blame established IC motorcycle dealers for being clueless about this new technology. Ideally, Zero should require at least one of the shop's technicians to attend a technical school about how to maintain and service their motorcycles, like BMW and many other IC manufacturers do, when they sign up a retailer. Unfortunately, that takes a lot of time and money and no doubt the dealer (and maybe Zero) won't want to invest a lot of resources into sending someone to a school like this until Zero sales increase (the old chicken and the egg thing again) at the dealership.
It will take time, but they will learn eventually. You ought to charge them for the on-the-job training. ;)
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Actually, I have a good dealer. He sent two of his guys to Zero School. It's just that electronic troubleshooting is so different than mechanical troubleshooting. One thing I do hate though, is it took eight days for Zero to get parts out to my dealer to fix my bike which only took less than two hours.
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Actually, I have a good dealer. He sent two of his guys to Zero School. It's just that electronic troubleshooting is so different than mechanical troubleshooting. One thing I do hate though, is it took eight days for Zero to get parts out to my dealer to fix my bike which only took less than two hours.
That's nothing, my replacement swinging arm took a month. But its not unusual, i had a similar wait for parts from Honda a few years ago.
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I am experiencing a similar problem. Had the bike about a month. I hear the noise only when stopping, at a low speed right before a complete stop. Sounds like it is coming from near the motor. It's a metallic clicking noise and seems to have gotten louder over a short period of time. Could this be the key issue? Or has anyone learned anything new about this. I will be calling my dealer and having them look at it and it would be helpful to give them some idea of what the problem might be. Sounds like I should stop riding the bike in the meantime.
I LOVE this bike! ;D
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My dealer told me that the wrong sized key was moving in the slot, thus creating the clicking sound, and possibly causing premature wear. He recommended that I stop riding the bike until the repair was made.
Interesting thing… the front sprocket and key were both replaced, but the clicking really didn't go away completely. So, I got an automotive stethoscope and determined that the sound was loudest at the point of the motor casing where the output shaft exits. Maybe a bad bearing?
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Hi ! Do you know which models & serials numbers are involved by this issue ?
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I can't answer as to what serial numbers are involved, but I can say they fixed mine promptly. You might check to see if the set screw is loose. After they replaced my key (and front sprocket), my clicking returned fairly quickly. It tuned out that the screw worked out a little and the clicking was caused by the washer. All the mechanic had to do was tighten it after putting some lock-tight on it. It hasn't been a problem since.
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Thanks a lot !
Can you send a picture of what should be loose and how to test for it ? I tried to move the belt or the wheel, but I did not feel any loose ?
COuld you also give us your serial or at least your bluetooth id (looks like the number is your bike's production order nr) ? Best,
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there's nothing you can really check with out pulling the bike apart a bit, apparently "early" 2013 bikes had the issue a lot (mine was an early one)
is your bike clicking? if so just call the dealer!
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Well I dont know if it is the "click". I sometimes have a noise a bit like gravel in drying machine. I does not happen when the bike is cold, only a bit later. And not at lower speeds...
V
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The noise I heard WAS the click. I checked with my dealer. He explained me it's very simple to fix, and no part has to be changed... I'll do this saturday.
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That's interesting ! Could you give us some more details about the procedure or maybe take some pictures when you do the repair ?
Have a good week end !
Laurent
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Very simple procedure : in fact, it appears that the click sound is NOT linked to a wrong sized piece, and is solved quickly by putting some loctite. Have it done before you leave the dealership
V
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Thanks a lot !!! Indeed I will check that when I have the bike in my garage. Right now I have all the paper I'm just waiting for the reply of one assurance compagny (the "MACIF" in France) to get the best deal and then I will take delivery. I'm a little exited !!!
There are several loctite products: one can be used on the retaining screw (like the Loctite 243) and another one will be used on the electric motor axle (like the loctite 638)
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I'd use the 243 or what is "releasable".
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I'd use the 243 or what is "releasable".
Does anyone know why red Loctite comes in the blue tube and blue Loctite comes in the red tube?
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I've wondered that myself.
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To better see the liquid if it gets on the tube...? :)
+m
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I have the click symptom now, and even hear some rattling in certain low-torque conditions. It's a little unsettling. I took the bike into the dealer and they said to wait for further work with them, which vaguely suggests there will be a recall or at least warrantee work. I had brought up the loctite suggestion when going in. The bike operates fine, at least.
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I have the click symptom now, and even hear some rattling in certain low-torque conditions. It's a little unsettling. I took the bike into the dealer and they said to wait for further work with them, which vaguely suggests there will be a recall or at least warrantee work. I had brought up the loctite suggestion when going in. The bike operates fine, at least.
Hooray! The dealer warrantee servicing fixed the click.
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What was done to correct it?
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Same question for me, I really would like to know so I can check my DS.
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I had a light ticking sound when I first got my XU. Only able to hear when moving around with no helmet.
I mentioned this to the dealer when I brought it in for fork replacement, and, they said that the bolts from
the front rotor were coming in contact with the caliper. They did not have any bolts with less material on
the head, so, they did some sanding on the caliper body, and, the sound went away. Not sure if it had anything
to do with the loaner front end from delivery, or, just too tight of a tolerance.
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What was done to correct it?
I don't have the repair order handy, but they said that they replaced a bracket. Presumably (and from the comments that others provided), they mainly ensured that it was bound in place with Loctite to not shift around. It was rattling occasionally for the last couple of weeks there.
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Approaching 3500 miles on my 2013 S11.4! The sound of a tiny pebble bouncing around inside a metal cylinder is coming from where the motor sits between my feet. Very noticeable at low speeds, coasting or maintaining speeds from 25-35mph, and fairly random, not rhythmic. I thought I had been bouncing pebbles since it had been rainy over the last month.
Does this sound about the same? Thankfully I have an appointment for Saturday (it's possible the firmware upgrade I got for my S was for a DS, so my trip odometer's giving me a different reading for my daily commute.)
There is also some really squeaking - constant or rhythmic (probably need to lube the belt when it gets warmer or when I warm up the garage ^_^)...
Mentioning that last bit in case folks found the issue related.
Thoughts?
+m
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I have always heard that rubber drive belts should not be lubed. BMW owners regularly complain about the rubber drive belts on the F800ST/GT-series bikes squeak, especially when new. But apparently it goes away as the belt wears and the tension loosens a bit.
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Update for my '13 S11.4:
The clicking noise was coming from the failed bearings in my rear wheel (which was replaced ahead of any clicking). My dealer contact says they're contacting the bearing manufacturer to get it all under warranty. I'd gone less than 2K miles before the clicking started) But I'll be off my Zero at least a week while they work on that and check my odometer inaccuracy as well (possible mis-install of firmware update but it might also be something else). My Zero was running great otherwise. :(
+m
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Update to the update!
My dealer is scoring some major positive points from me today. They addressed both issues today and even delivered my bike right to my driveway. So I will not be missing any riding day after all. Very stoked. Mango Zero is happily garaged and drinking some electricity at home. :)
+m
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This just started with my 2013 DS...
It's intermittent when ON...always when OFF throttle/decelerating coasting...
can be replicated in OFF position... at low/push speeds
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it got noticeably worse...
i can put er up on a pitbull and replicate it in my garage.
can I load videos in here. gotta call the dealer
http://losmeistermotos.blogspot.com/2014/12/annoying.html (http://losmeistermotos.blogspot.com/2014/12/annoying.html)
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I had a rattle noise coming from my front sprocket as well. Zero was very receptive working with my dealer to get it resolved under warranty. Definitely don't let this linger.
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sent the vid to Zero...had me take it in... replaced front sprocket and woodruff key set under warranty. they were agreeable.
while i dont really like having to have had a shock and the sprocket replaced in the TIME it has cost me, it HAS NOT cost me additional $$$
glad to have it back!