GS1100 Driveline noise after hitting big hole

[Anonymous]

After searching the net and talking to local dealers and finding no help at all, I've joined my fellow GS owners here hoping to find an answer.

I have a 83 GS1100GLD. I bought it new in 1984, it has 40,000KM on it and for the most part runs very well.

The problem:

About 3 years ago, I was travelling through a remote community when out of nowhere there appeared a rather large hole in the pavement. 8O This thing was probably 10 inches deep and 3-4 feet across. There was no way to avoid it without dumping the bike or taking on a car in the oncoming lane. I hit the hole at about 20-30mph. The back end with my large butt hit HARD and I'm sure the swing arm caught the pavement coming out. So hard, that since that moment I've noted my left rear shock has lost oodles of oil and worse.. the transmission/driveshaft now whines.

To me more specific, the whine is most notable when there's torque on the engine, if I slack off the throttle the noise disappears. It's noisiest in 4th and 5th gears, although I'm sure it's present in any gear when accelerating or going up hill. I've changed the primary and secondary gear oils, and there was no filings in the rear but a nominal amount stuck to the magnet in the front. No more than any other time I've changed it.

Through searching I've noticed the major driveline components are no longer available from Suzuki. If anyone has any ideas as to what I wrecked and/or how to fix, please please let me know.

Thanks,
Gary

[SqDancerLynn1]

That's a tough one, with the blown shock It could be that the swing arm is twisted throughing the driveshaft out of alignment- rubbing on the inside of the tube, bent wheel? not likley

[Billy Ricks]

Possibly a broken swingarm pivot shaft. I had one break on me when my bike was about a year old. Only thing I could think caused it was a huge pothole like you encountered.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the suggestions

Squaredancer, The rear tire was replaced last year, and there was no mention of alignment problems so you're probably right to eliminate that.
Would the soft shock alone cause enough twisting/misalignment to create the noise?


Billy, do you remember if it made noise only when torque applied?
That would be #3 on this schematic HERE ? It figures it would be a discontinued part :?

[mcconnell]

You broke the secondary drive gear, the one that exits the engine case and connects to the universal joint on the drive shaft. When it breaks, there is a splined connection that still transmits power, but all the bearing preload is lost, thus the gear noise under load.

Slide the big rubber boot back on the swingarm and poke the drive shaft where it comes out of the engine case. If it seems loose at all, it's broken.

In my limited experience, it's not an uncommon problem. Go to a salvage yard to get one. Verify the part numbers with BikeBandit.com's schematics for what other bikes are interchangable. The one I have on my GS1100GD right now is off a GS1000G.

I've removed these on mine and other bikes and never had to remove the engine to do it, just loosen the engine mount bolts for that extra 1/8" you need. Also, looses the engine case bolts around the unit before gently prying it out of the case.

Gook luck.

[SqDancerLynn1]

That would be the flange that the drive shaft bolts to.

[Anonymous]

I'll check that out.. Thanks!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

This morning I slipped the boot back and there is nothing I can do to move the gear. There is no play up, down, back or forth. If there is no other test to confirm this part( I might be a whimp) then I'll take it up to the shop and have them take a close look.

[mcconnell]

You are trying to move the actual shaft (As SDLynn correctly pointed out, it comes to a flange that the u-joint bolts to) coming out of the engine case up and down. Try moving this flange from as far away from the engine cases as possible.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for straightening me out mcconnell.

In the picture below the arrow is pointing to the shaft and yes I can pry that out of from the engine about 1/4 to 3/8" toward the rear.

Is this what you meant?

[SqDancerLynn1]

That is what he was refering to, their should be no fore & aft movement You need to replace the secondary gear assembly The gs 1000 & 1100 believe are the same The 850 is different & will NOT fit

[Anonymous]

Wow, I can't believe this is solved so quickly. THANKS!

Now, we have no bike heavens around here, so I'll likely have to order the parts from BikeBandit. Do I need to get just the #1 part (gear itself) or are there other parts like the 0-ring that I will ~likely~ need from here?

Again, thanks for the help guys!!

[SqDancerLynn1]

IF it is repairable You will probably need the bearing & the seal

[SqDancerLynn1]

Check here http://www.alpha-sports.com/suzuki_parts.htm
secondary gear assembly. Get the part #s & check with your dealer I'm guesing you will need items 7,8,15,16 Don't order parts until you take it appart At least $100 for parts IF available You should be able to get a used set (both gears) cheaper. Make some Phone calls & have it shipped if needed. Maybe some of our Canadian brothers can help you find the parts

[Anonymous]

I searched hi and low for used parts with no luck. So, I took it in to the local dealer, they have torn it apart and Sqdancer is right on. The mechanic made a list and I've ordered the secondary gears, 3 or 4 bearings a couple 0 rings and a plug from Bikebandit. Although not all the parts were in the regional warehouse they did locate them at another and will ship in a few days. Total cost of parts shipped is 430 US bucks. Not bad considering a new bike is 10000.00 bucks.

Thanks for your help guys, and at this time I would highly recommend other Canadians look to bikebandit for parts.