Wierd Squeaking noise?

[Anonymous]

I have a 1985 GS450L that I bought last September and rode without problems until the weather got bad. I just got the bike cranked up yesterday to see how it's doing so I can get it ready for the spring. Got it started after a few tries and after a few minutes it settled into a nice idle. Then a few minutes later, I started hear this squeaking noise coming from the left side. After investigating, I'm pretty positive it is coming from the area just in front of the brake pedal (below the oil fill cap).

Any ideas what this could be? Is it probably something I can fix myself? My manual doesn't seem to be much help. Could it just be from sitting for the last few months and it will work itself out? I was going to change the oil yesterday, but decided to wait until I can figure this problem out.

[Anonymous]

Are all the fluid levels ok?

I would first make sure you are not running it dry of oil. After that I would remove the ignition cover and see whats going on. My biggest fear if I heard squeeling would be the internals of the motor siezing up.

[Jethro]

Mmmm, there is a big bearing on the jackshaft just behind the clutch. Squeeling to me = siezed bearing or worse.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info so far. Here are a few additional observations that might help:

Oil is at the proper level. The noise goes away above 2000 RPMs. It's not a loud noise, barely audible really. My brother-in-law didn't even notice it until I mentioned it. Whatever it is does not affect the running of the bike at all. I first noticed it while taking a quick spin around the block when at a stop sign. Other than hearing it, nothing seemed out of place at all in the way the bike is running.

Does that help narrow it down at all? I won't get a chance to open it up until mid-week unfortunately. Any other info/ideas?

[earlfor]

Did you check the oil level with the bike sitting level and on the centerstand? Was the level checked before the bike had been run or at least 5 minutes after the bike had been shut down? Those are the only circumstances under which the oil level would be an accurate indication of whether it is correct or not.

Earl

Thanks for the info so far. Here are a few additional observations that might help:

Oil is at the proper level. The noise goes away above 2000 RPMs. It's not a loud noise, barely audible really. My brother-in-law didn't even notice it until I mentioned it. Whatever it is does not affect the running of the bike at all. I first noticed it while taking a quick spin around the block when at a stop sign. Other than hearing it, nothing seemed out of place at all in the way the bike is running.

Does that help narrow it down at all? I won't get a chance to open it up until mid-week unfortunately. Any oth
er info/ideas?

[Jethro]

Be forwarned of the dangers of listening to a GS! They are noisy engines. Like my wife, as with the bike, I stopped listening to her long ago.

[Anonymous]

Oil was checked while sitting level in the garage on the center stand before running the bike.