Modern Vespa

Hi all,

I have this whistling sound that comes up once I reach a speed of 40 or more and when I give the scooter power, not when I let the throttle go. It is from the bottom left side of the scooter. The scooter is well maintained; I changed the belt just recent and the tires. All service is done. It reached just more than 40 thousand kilos on the motor. If anyone has an idea about what the whistling sound is from and why, pleases writes back. The whistling sound starts at 0:09. The scooter is Yamaha TMax 530, 2015 model. I will take to a mechanic in two days' time, but like to have an idea before that.

I used to have MP3 400ie, RIP, now the TMax, there is a website for TMax but it does not have much activity, I really appreciate your help guys.

Thanks a lot guys.

Youtube link:

Hate to say it, but it sounds like metal on metal. Like a bearing going south, quick. I don't know if the outside CVT cover has a support bearing in it, but that is the first place I would look.

Hi much appreciated for your reply. Now what is the possible reason for it? is it when the rear tire was changed, that the mechanic did not put it correctly? or when they changed the belt? or is it normal wear and tear? Thanks,

Wear and tear if it is a bearing, but again, I am not familiar with this CVT cover. Take the cover off and put up a pic.

Hi, thanks for your assistance. This is what I wanted to know, I will see what my dealership will say. A lot of times people hear negative stories about the dealerships which makes it hard to sometimes trust them, like they do something in order for the person to bring it back to them and there is more cash to them. I think I have a good relationship with this dealership, but as mentioned, negative stories give out a bit of fear. I can do simple things: change oil or spark plugs, but I do not have mechanical experience, so this is above my limit. I saw couple of videos on youtube and for sure it is something I don't want to play around by removing the parts off. As long as the cause is of wear and tear nature, that is enough for me, as I am sure it will cost to fix now, thanks for your help,

Is there a guard on the rear tyre that might be rubbing at speed?

I'm not convinced it's a bearing, just because it seems to happen when power is applied but not off-throttle.

But I'm willing to be wrong.

Hi, thanks, No it is not, as I checked long time ago, and the sound started at high speeds and now it increased to a lower speed, just starts when I take off, read my comment in the next message,

My vote: a bearing.

Hi, I was at the mechanic and he opened it up, it turned out to be the bearing, it is damaged and it allowed water to come to the compartment and that caused the water, see the pictures attached and the youtube video,
please provide your comments,

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jtBXOlag3W0

thanks

Hi your guess was right, please see my comment to jess's reply and it has a video link and pictures,

I appreciate your thoughts...

thanks

Thanks, you are right, please see my comment to jess's reply and I appreciate your thoughts!

thanks

Hi team, I think my 2015 T-Max has the same issue (see video below) - abcdef could you confirm that the mechanic was able to solve the problem? Did he just replace the bearing with a new one, or was there any issues that he addressed to make the whistling sound go away?

https://youtu.be/2jp8UEEDmyE

Thanks a lot!

Hi, yes it is the same issue, and I think yours is just starting out, you started hearing just recent. This is the sound of metal on metal. The dealership changed a seal and the bearing, the seal is behind the bearing as I was told and that is why the water leaked in. It took time to fix as some parts were ordered from overseas, but I guess in the USA there will be more supply of the parts, so I don't think you will face this delay. My recommendation is don't ride it, and wait until it is fixed, I did not really ask the mechanic but I guess metal on metal will have a good outcome in the future if kept ridden. I think this issue is with the TMax scooter, as the mechanic he did the same work for other customer, of course the same issue. How much have you done on yours (Mileage or kilos)?

Thanks a lot abcdef - mine is a 2015 model with ~50,000km on it. Unfortunately it started making that noise a while ago, but did not manage to get to the bottom of the problem. Looking at the Yamaha parts diagram, I would think the bearing and the seal to be replaced are part #25 and #26 in this schematic - will get my mechanic on the case! Thanks again and will report back once it gets fixed!

Happy to help, but don't force anything on your mechanic, it could be other parts, not the same as mine, but by chance the sound is the similar, let the mechanic test and check until he know what is the issue. This is what my mechanic told me, that they will go from the first step to the next until the issue or problem is found. If you force your mechanic to do something, you would have bought the wrong parts and you will be charged for the time spent, so give the freedom to your mechanic, no harm in discussing it and asking, that is the way to learn.
Good luck!