Kawasaki NINJA 650R User's Manual And Installation Instructions - page 20
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:28 am (Kiwi_ER-6F)
I've been following this thread (and any others relating to the infamous fairing buzz) since the
start. My bike buzz started at about 600-700 kms. It was bad! At its worst I could hear it over the
engine and wind noise at 120 km/hr. I tried some fixes myself, tape, foam strip etc. Things
improved but never fully. I obtained the Kawasaki kit and followed it to the letter, results were
about the same as my own attempts probably because the kit only addressed issues I had
already identified.
I have since tried further mods, more dampers from Kawasaki under the windshield between it
and the instrument cover, tape on chaff marks, more foam tape etc... Each and every time there
was less buzz but it would come back.
The kit address the big buzz but will not remove all of it, the problem is that as time goes on and
more miles are covered the buzz increases again.
My last attempt (probably 5th time I have completely removed the fairings) has finally fixed the
buzz, no buzz! None what-so-ever!!!
It's great, all I hear is engine and induction noise, even when I pass thru the dreaded 4000-5000
rpm zone, even in that zone at lower speeds when there is less wind noise.
Fortunately I have a silver bike and the chaffs show up as black marks, I used the loop (wooley)
side of self adhesive velcro and self adhesive foam tape (draft stop).
Places I have put stuff:
Completely around the headlight cutout of the upper cowling, as close to the edge as possible
and especially in the V.
Around the headlight assy.
Around the three protrusions (tabs) which locate the upper cowling to the L/H & R/H main
cowlings.
On the underside of the upper cowling where the instrument cover and windshield touches.
A number of other chaffs on the L/H and R/H main cowlings where they touch other parts and the
lower cowlings.
I have now covered 500 kms, with no noise. I can't believe how much this actually irritated me
until it went away.
Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:09 pm (Kiwi_ER-6F)
OK, now I have some more time I'll fully list all the places I have found chaffing:
1. Headlight assembly and upper cowling, I believe this is the major cause of the buzz. I found
chaffing along the lower edge of this fairing where it rubs against the headlight. I have placed
adhesive backed foam tape (draft stop) completely around the edge of the headlight aperture and
around the headlight itself, if you use light foam strip it will compress a lot.
2. With the upper cowling off the bike and headlight assy removed slide in the instrument cover,
you'll see where it touches the upper cowling, I have fitted dampers as per the Kawasaki kit to the
underside of the instrument cover, on the upper cowling I have fitted Velcro over the upper
headlight mounting posts, at the front where the tabs of the instrument cover slide in I have also
fitted Velcro.
3. On the upper cowling where the tab at the front of the windshield fits I have placed Velcro.