Bad countershaft bearing???

[tkent02]

Got the '78 1000 engine in the '79 750 frame, been riding it around a little bit.

The engine has sat idle for years, but runs well enough. Powerful, runs correctly, no real problems with it. Compression was low but is starting to come up as it gets run, almost within limits now. Needs a few tweaks still, no big deal.

When starting out from a stop there is a growling noise/vibration, coming from the whole bike. Feel it in the bars, pegs, seat. Low speeds make it worse, more acceleration makes it worse. It is also worse if you let the rpms come down too low when starting out, not sure if this means its the main transmission shaft?
No vibration at all in neutral, or in gear with the clutch in while standing still.
Can't feel any play in the sprocket, it turns smoothly.
Don't know about the other end of the shaft.
The tone of the vibration does not change with gear changes, only seems related to speed over the ground.
This vibration is always present when the bike is in motion at any speed.

There was a lot of play in the clutch bearing, the big needle bearing that the entire basket rides on. I put a tighter bearing from a newer clutch in today, the noise is still there.

Any ideas?
Any common failures here?
Thanks.

[SqDancerLynn1]

frozen chain links ????

[Nessism]

Not sure. Does it make the same noise if you run the bike in gear while on the centerstand?

[tkent02]

Not sure. Does it make the same noise if you run the bike in gear while on the centerstand?

Hmmm, good question...
Now the bike in question is buried behind the other 1000 I'm currently riding, and it's behind the 185 I've been working on, and they are all behind a car in the garage, and we are heading out in the hills for a couple days.

I think it would make the noise but not very loud.

Will check for sure Friday.

[tkent02]

frozen chain links ????

No the chain is good, aligned, sprockets are both good.

[chef1366]

Could it be a cam timing vibration?
A carb sync vibration?

[tkent02]

Could it be a cam timing vibration?
A carb sync vibration?

No, it's just not like that, those are vibrations I am familiar with :-)

[chef1366]

I had to have a clutch basket balanced one time. Talk about chasing my tail!
I had extreme bar buzz though.

[tkent02]

I had to have a clutch basket balanced one time. Talk about chasing my tail!
I had extreme bar buzz though.

I actually used the spare clutch, the whole thing.
No change.

[chef1366]

You got yourself a mystery! I wouldn't expect it to be a simple solution because judging by your posts you know your sh!t!
Bad crank bearings or as you say counter shaft bearing.

[TheCafeKid]

I actually used the spare clutch, the whole thing.
No change.

Any chance its starter clutch or primary gear? My 1100G is currently experiencing some clatter and vibration from the going starter clutch and likely damaged primary gear. There is a definitive buzz from it, and i have super sensitive ears to odd sounds made by my bikes and cars. It drives me nuts. Took me a while to figure out where it was coming from too. I first thought it might have been some cam chain slap, or the clutch basket rattling. Checked both, none of the above. After some tuning to the carbs to get it running super smooth by the fantastic Mr Steve, it became immediately apparent where the noise was actually coming from. If i put my hand on the stator cover, while the bike was still cool enough to touch, i could feel it tapping in time with the buzz and noise. Just a thought.

[tkent02]

Any chance its starter clutch or primary gear? My 1100G is currently experiencing some clatter and vibration from the going starter clutch and likely damaged primary gear. There is a definitive buzz from it, and i have super sensitive ears to odd sounds made by my bikes and cars. It drives me nuts. Took me a while to figure out where it was coming from too. I first thought it might have been some cam chain slap, or the clutch basket rattling. Checked both, none of the above. After some tuning to the carbs to get it running super smooth by the fantastic Mr Steve, it became immediately apparent where the noise was actually coming from. If i put my hand on the stator cover, while the bike was still cool enough to touch, i could feel it tapping in time with the buzz and noise. Just a thought.

I can check, sounds easier than splitting the cases to fix some big bearing.
Starter works perfectly, if that matters... And the sound really depends on the load on the tranny, wouldn't think the starter clutch would know anything but RPM...

[TheCafeKid]

I can check, sounds easier than splitting the cases to fix some big bearing.
Starter works perfectly, if that matters... And the sound really depends on the load on the tranny, wouldn't think the starter clutch would know anything but RPM...

Well suprisingly, i thought the same thing, but it cares for some reason. At 40-45MPH in ANY gear, it wails like a banshee, remember me asking about the head fin rubbers? the noise i thought was that, is my primary gear/starter clutch whining. Only does it loud enough to hear it at that speed...odd, but true.

[tkent02]

Well suprisingly, i thought the same thing, but it cares for some reason. At 40-45MPH in ANY gear, it wails like a banshee, remember me asking about the head fin rubbers? the noise i thought was that, is my primary gear/starter clutch whining. Only does it loud enough to hear it at that speed...odd, but true.

Could you feel it through the footpegs, bars, tank and seat?
My nads are getting a real vibro-massage out of this deal.

[chef1366]

Could you feel it through the footpegs, bars, tank and seat?
My nads are getting a real vibro-massage out of this deal.

And this is bad because.................