Odd whining or metallic buzzing above 4k rpm, with load in 2003 vtec

My bike's making a strange metallic whooshing or buzzing. It's hard to describe, but not very loud. Audible above the engine but not above the wind at higher speeds. It starts at 3.5k or 4k rpm, but only while under power.
If I engine brake, no noise.
If I accelerate, solid noise. Doesn't get higher/lower pitched or louder with rpm, just constant.
If I'm just cruising at a solid speed, it stammers or sputters. The noise, not the engine.
If I ride while holding the clutch, no noise.

It's somewhat like what the brakes sound like when they're not too warm, not a squeal, just a "whoosh" noise. I can't feel it, and it doesn't seem to be losing power.

From what I've read, it might be a fastener missing. I am missing 2 of them on the front pieces, the little "wedges" on either side of the gauge cluster. But if I hold that piece down, the noise still happens. It sounds like it's coming from right under the tank.

The bike is almost completely stock. I bought it with ~37k miles, and put another 3k on it. First thing I did when I got it was change the oil/filter, coolant, brake fluid, pads, and bar end weights/grips. The weights are a little lighter than the old ones, so there's a bit of vibration on the bars. This noise has happened since I bought it, and I've got no idea what it is.

It also had a weird issue when I first got it, if I was just cruising on the highway, holding the throttle consistant, the bike would start to slow down, as if I had rolled off the throttle. I'd roll the throttle back a little, eventually getting to 50%, and the bike would "catch up" and surge ahead. I dumped in some injector cleaner, but it didn't fix it. It still does it occasionally, but much less since I adjusted the throttle properly.

 

So, how old are the chain and sprockets? The differences in noise/no noise could be load on the chain - old chains/sprockets can cause noises. Also, a dry chain can cause noises. Just a thought.

If your "surge" (for lack of a better discription) was improved with some injector cleaner, I would suggest running a couple of tanks of gas with SEAFOAM in it (available at most good auto parts stores). I find it about the best fuel system cleaner out there. YMMV

 

The chain and sprockets are actually both new as of 1500 miles ago, the last owner had a clip-style chain and it broke off. It scratched up the old ones so I put new sprockets on. If anything, the new chain's got too much lube on it. It makes a mess inside the front sprocket's housing.

It does sound like a chain noise, but it's not tied to rpm, so it doesn't change pitch or volume with speed or rpm. It's just the same noise, at 4k and 15, or 12k at 80. I have to duck down under the windshield to hear it at higher speeds though.

And the injector cleaner didn't help, but adjusting the throttle so there was much less free play fixed it.

 

Other than chains, brake pads or bent rotor disc it could be the clutch basket. My fren riding a hornet made the same sound. Turns out the clutch basket did not fully disengage hence the whooshing/washing machine sound.

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