I hear a humming noise coming from the rear tire area when going slow(possibly there at faster speeds but can't hear it) sounds like the noise a truck makes with a big tread on the tires. there's no change when I apply brakes. the rear tire(Dunlop) has 5,500 miles on it and so do the brake pads. any ideas?

 

my first thought is the tire, see if the tire is sqaring off. If its not that it may be a wheel bearing. How many miles on the bike? I know you said 5500 on the tire.

 

Take a look at the condition of your drive belt as well...

 

Check tire pressure.

 

The bike has 26,400 on it as of this morning.......... I recently adjusted the drive belt(3 weeks ago) because it was way too loose. I adjusted it according to specs in the service manual. I did have the humming before I did the adjustment though so it probably isn't the belt............. thanks Man.

 

I'm fanatical about tire pressure, I check it every other ride. 40 in rear, 36 up front.............. good thinking.

 

Belt is in good shape, I inspected it when I adjusted it 3 weeks ago. thanks Man. another good tip.

 

Ideas:
-Recheck your final drive belt for the proper tension.
-Check the tension on your primary drive chain.
-Lastly, it could be the bearing on your final drive shaft (transmission). This is the pulley on the front that the drive belt runs on. Pretty common for them to start howling after 20-25k miles, especially if you have been running a stiff gear lube in the tranny.

 

recently compared a hand full of gauges, threw out 5, most of which I was using. they read the lower, in some cases up to 5psi compared to a couple dial gauges. I think the 36 & 40 accurately measured is important, I also have gone to 38 & 42 and have not had cupping in the last set as well.

 

I have a air pressure gauge that talks. It tells you the pressure. I use it, then compared the other standard gauges I have. And like 1 Canuck, I tossed out 2 of then. You would think such a simple thing would work flawless forever.,,