82' GS1100L has transmission howl

[mopar]

My 1100 w/ 14k miles has just suddenly pronounced a light howl in the trans in 4th and 5th at speeds less than 45. Any faster and the wind/road/motor noise drowns it out. It only does it when you lightly apply load on the trans, if you twist the throttle hard enough it wont do it.

Obviously the bike isn't in its power band in 5th gear at 45mph lol, but I first noticed it one day in 4th at 35 and then listened in 5th at 40-45 and its a lot more apparent the more lugged down the motor is. I've put 5k miles on the bike and always did oil/lube changes every 1500-2000 miles.

What might be the culprit? Is this safe? Will I do any sever damage if I keep riding like this?

[Nessism]

The rear driven spline in the rear wheel has a habit of failing so that's one thing to check although I don't think it will make noise like you describe. The secondary reduction gears also are somewhat challenged in the big shafties like you have so that's worth checking into also, although I don't know what you can check per say.

When you say you have changed the lube does that include the oil in the secondary drive cavity and rear end? If not, you should change it. For help, you might want to search out basscliff's web site and down load the manual and see his tutorials on the subject.

[sparki]

The rear driven spline in the rear wheel has a habit of failing so that's one thing to check although I don't think it will make noise like you describe. The secondary reduction gears also are somewhat challenged in the big shafties like you have so that's worth checking into also, although I don't know what you can check per say.

didn't realise an 1100L came with a shaft drive....

[mopar]

The rear driven spline in the rear wheel has a habit of failing so that's one thing to check although I don't think it will make noise like you describe. The secondary reduction gears also are somewhat challenged in the big shafties like you have so that's worth checking into also, although I don't know what you can check per say.

When you say you have changed the lube does that include the oil in the secondary drive cavity and rear end? If not, you should change it. For help, you might want to search out basscliff's web site and down load the manual and see his tutorials on the subject.

I changed both the pri/sec and motor, I took my othoscope and poked around the motor while it was on the center stand and it sounds like the trans to me, what I don't know.

I've been trying to get rid of her for 4 months and just lowered the price from 900 to 750 and I just now got a call a month later. Should I let it go for so cheap, I paid 1,900 for it 5yrs ago at a dealership.

[1948man]

didn't realise an 1100L came with a shaft drive....

Technically a "GL"

[mopar]

Sorry my pic didn't appear the way I thought it would. Do you think 750 is a fair price or am I basically giving it away? I guess it doesn't matter since the guy coming to pic it up to marrow and sounds pretty serious. I can always say something like, my cousin just threw a rod on his and needs the GS for the summer.

[SqDancerLynn1]

I would check the big nut on the secondary drive gear. Could be a bad bearing or Could be loose or in the process of breaking???
I guess that's a moot point since it is sold

[luvmylilsuzy]

I've got the same problem with my GK... except mine actually leaks oil on top of that. 2 weeks ago I changed the oil and it apparently leaked enough that it was almost empty when I checked it today. I am unsure what could be causing that, maybe the oil seal in the transmission secondary drive shaft gone bad? It's leaking all over the exhuast pipe when I ride, almost nothing when I stop though.

[mopar]

Well you know how it goes, when you tune it and clean it to sell. You get her all shined up and running great and then the day someone comes to look at it and it don't wana run worth a shet. Yea thats what happend and of course they weren't pleased to say the least. The suzy let me down ... 3hrs later after cleaning all 4 carbs out, I fired it up and she came back to life. I'm thinking it don't wana leave, it wants to be with till the end. Needles to say it didn't sell.

I had her out though and it no longer howls, it now nocks in every gear but 1st. I checked all fluids and they are all good. Its never leaked a drop of anything since the day I got it. I did the othoscope and it sounds the loudest right above the shifter shaft were the shifter slides over. Basicaly right at the shift pattern thats stamped right on the cover. It clears out once theres no load but as soon as you lightly apply the throttle in 3,4,5 on the center stand it knocks profoundly.

I'll try and get a vid up tonight so you guys get a better idea as to what my problem is. If my cheap camera can pick it up clearly.

[mopar]

Here's the the video.....

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smCIu7KEESc

[Nessism]

Nice work with that video stethoscope. Quite ingenious.

Not sure what would cause that noise but as Lynn suggested, you might want to check the nut on the propeller shaft since they are known to loosen up sometimes.

[Flyboy]

I've got the same problem with my GK... except mine actually leaks oil on top of that. 2 weeks ago I changed the oil and it apparently leaked enough that it was almost empty when I checked it today. I am unsure what could be causing that, maybe the oil seal in the transmission secondary drive shaft gone bad? It's leaking all over the exhuast pipe when I ride, almost nothing when I stop though.

These GS's do some strange things sometimes, when I fill the oil on my primary drive, it throws it overboard out the breather, making a mess everywhere, until the level has dropped to about half, and then lives happily there for ever after, with no ill effects, it just does not like being filled to the full mark.These GS's most certainly have a mind of thier own.

[sparki]

Technically a "GL"

the G makes all the difference 'eh

[mopar]

Nice work with that video stethoscope. Quite ingenious.

Not sure what would cause that noise but as Lynn suggested, you might want to check the nut on the propeller shaft since they are known to loosen up sometimes.

Thanks, I really didn't know if it was going to pick it up as well as the human ear but It worked I guess.

Were is this nut you guys talk about??? Ad why is this topic so unorganized, It makes it a pain in the ass to read and impossible to make sense. I see why I'm not getting much help. I'm sure this post will be somewhere in the middle of the topic were no one will see it like the rest of my replies.

[mopar]

These GS's do some strange things sometimes, when I fill the oil on my primary drive, it throws it overboard out the breather, making a mess everywhere, until the level has dropped to about half, and then lives happily there for ever after, with no ill effects, it just does not like being filled to the full mark.These GS's most certainly have a mind of thier own.

Never had over flow problem. I agree with you that these GS's atleast this one has a mind of its own .