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[ed5000]

One of the problems of having such a quiet bike is that I can hear all the other sounds the bike makes.  Right now the fairing where the gas tank would normally be makes a clacking sound when I travel over railway tracks or potholes.  I also have some noise coming from the tail but it's less noticeable.  Has anyone come up with a quick fix for this?  I'm thinking of putting a small but thick oring on each screw between the plastic fairing and the frame.  If I try this I'll let everyone know how it goes...

While I'm on the topic of soundproofing, has anyone converted a chain drive DS to belt drive?  Does Zero sell the parts?

Thanks,

Ed

[Richard230]

Your clacking noise may be caused by the front suspension. Here is a thread about a similar noise:

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=1997.0

I am pretty sure that Zero does not make a belt drive conversion for the chain drive models.

[ed5000]

Your clacking noise may be caused by the front suspension. Here is a thread about a similar noise:

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=1997.0

I am pretty sure that Zero does not make a belt drive conversion for the chain drive models.

Thanks Richard,  I should have mentioned that if I squeeze the fairing with my knees when hitting a bump, it's much quieter.  But then the tail rattles away driving me crazy.  It's  not all that bad - I just have to do something about it.

[ohgood]

Your clacking noise may be caused by the front suspension. Here is a thread about a similar noise:

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=1997.0

I am pretty sure that Zero does not make a belt drive conversion for the chain drive models.

Thanks Richard,  I should have mentioned that if I squeeze the fairing with my knees when hitting a bump, it's much quieter.  But then the tail rattles away  ???Qadriving me crazy.  It's  not all that bad - I just have to do something about it.

I use old inner tubes on my street bikes. Long lasting, cheap and plentiful

[kcsfo]

The lower fairing on my 2011 Zero S makes the most noise.  I can move the fairing with my hand and there is about half inch of space from side to side.  I think there should be more connection points to the frame.

[ZeroSinMA]

Your clacking noise may be caused by the front suspension. Here is a thread about a similar noise:

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=1997.0

I am pretty sure that Zero does not make a belt drive conversion for the chain drive models.

Thanks Richard,  I should have mentioned that if I squeeze the fairing with my knees when hitting a bump, it's much quieter.  But then the tail rattles away  ???Qadriving me crazy.  It's  not all that bad - I just have to do something about it.

The 8 little plastic rivits that hold the plastic bodywork doo dah onto the plastic fender pop out and the whole assembly rattles like crazy over bumps. Replacing them with heavier rivits helps but the thing still rattles around. Poorly designed, frankly.

[Richard230]

Could some closed cell window insulation tape help?

[manlytom]

Hi
how about taking the fairings of as they make all that noise. you loose weight and noise. I have been considering to put alternative, more aerodynamic covers on the bike.

so far I have not had any noise issues on my 2011S.

On my 2010S I was looking at some rubber chain guards to reduce the by far loudest part of the chain rattling...

cheers
Tom
http://www.facebook.com/ZeroElectricMoto

[ed5000]

Thanks for the replys.  There's a lot of good ideas here.  Ohgood, I like your idea of cutting up an inner tube.  I just tried to buy 3 small bags of some very small orings at the local hardware store and the clerk insisted the price tag was for each oring and the total was $30. ; .  Each bag had a sticker of .99 cents on it.

I did already place some orings on the left fairing and it works great.  I think most of the noise came from that left fairing.  I had a very enjoyable ride to work and back today.  I'll try posting photos later.  (I'm typing on my phone now).

[ed5000]

Here's a few photos of when I installed an oring at the top of my "gas tank" fairing.

Pretty simple really.  I ran out of orings so I only could do only the top of the right side.  The left side is done already and has already made a real difference.  The oring outside diameter is only 1/2", the inside is 1/4" and the rubber is 1/8" diameter.

[manlytom]

Hi,
what mileage and kind of riding do you do that you have these sounds ?
Ah, just remember, u got a 2010 - the fairings, screws all that were of lower end, more prototype. A big difference started with the 2011 models...

[ed5000]

Hi,
what mileage and kind of riding do you do that you have these sounds ?
Ah, just remember, u got a 2010 - the fairings, screws all that were of lower end, more prototype. A big difference started with the 2011 models...

Hi Manlytom,
I have only 753 miles on the bike (the bike was first sold new in November 2011).  So far I have only done street riding.  In fact, the original owner put street tires on the bike and there are not many places to go off road around here so, it's a street bike for now.   Most of my noise if from crossing railroad tracks, pot holes, or just rough pavement. 

My oring modification is helping a lot so far.  I just have to finish the lower right side.  After that I'll focus on the tail section.  I'm curious what fasteners are used on the 2011 or 2012 fairings.  Maybe someone can post a picture.
Ed

[Richard230]

My 2012 Zero S seems to have its plastic parts held on by hard black plastic rivets about 1/4 inch in diameter. They consist of a small black plastic center surrounded by a similar plastic circle and have a plastic blade that sticks out on the underside of the fairing parts.  They are quite tight and I have no idea how they can be removed, short of cutting off the pointy section that is under the plastic. If you do that you no doubt need to install new rivets and that probably requires some sort of special tool. My guess is that the fasteners were chosen to make factory assembly easier and are likely designed to minimize the pressure on the fairing plastic (no dimpling can be seen) to prevent cracking. They seem to be quite tight and no movement is apparent.

[manlytom]

Hi Richard,

the rivets can easily be taken out. press with a screwdriver or tool the middle pin in. this loosens the rivet. Careful when putting it back in a again. the middle pin needs to stick out just the right amount and do not force it. once in, press the pin and all done.
An interesting way of fastening things but I think I have lost one rivet so far. but no noticlable rattle or so, bike is quiet.

Tom
http://www.facebook.com/ZeroElectricMoto

[Richard230]

Thanks Manlytom. That is good to know.