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:-k. 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 .

 

[mopar]

What nut are you talking about?

 

[rustybronco]

42-43 'ish miles per hour in 4th or 5th you get a howl with a steady throttle on level ground?
apply a little throttle or roll off the throttle and it goes away correct?
the only time it makes the noise is at that speed range correct?

Is this the first time you noticed it in those 5K miles?

<edit> I listened to your video.
put it on the center stand, engine off and put it in gear. how much can you roll the rear wheel back and forth?
the nut people are talking about is the nut that holds the drive shaft flange at the rear output of the motor. it's under the rubber boot.
#13 in this drawing http://www.alpha-sports.com/spst/1982 GS1100GL/41.gif

 

[82Shafty]

Where in the world are you at? Perhaps a local GS'r could help you out.

Or, I come by and take that mess off of your hands LOL.

 

[mopar]

42-43 'ish miles per hour in 4th or 5th you get a howl with a steady throttle on level ground?
apply a little throttle or roll off the throttle and it goes away correct?
the only time it makes the noise is at that speed range correct?

Is this the first time you noticed it in those 5K miles?

<edit> I listened to your video.
put it on the center stand, engine off and put it in gear. how much can you roll the rear wheel back and forth?
the nut people are talking about is the nut that holds the drive shaft flange at the rear output of the motor. it's under the rubber boot.
#13 in this drawing http://www.alpha-sports.com/spst/1982%20GS1100GL
/41.gif

Correct,correct and correct. Last year it howled now this year (250 miles later) It knocks in almost every gear but 1st. Why, did you have this exact problem? If so tell me what happens next, it locks or seizes up or will it take out the case? Is it a fairly painless repair with moderate mechanical ability and aptitude? What special tools would I need? Are parts hard to find and are they expensive, like bearings, gears, shafts, shift forks etc...

Thanks

 

[mopar]

Where in the world are you at? Perhaps a local GS'r could help you out.

Or, I come by and take that mess off of your hands LOL.

I live way up in Fargo ND and seriously doubt theres anyone on this forum thats even remotely close lol but you never know. I would LOVE to see it go to a gs enthusiast ... I dont wanna see it go for scrap or get parted out. I think I might give ebay a try with $875 res. I was also thinking if I did decide to part it out, I would get alot more than I would whole.

faring w/shield and tunes 375

tank 100

fenders 75

wheals 200

motor/trans 275

drive shaft and secondary 150

frame 75

forks/tree 100

shocks 50

handle bars/controls 75

speedo/tach cluster 50

wiring harness 35

All together that would be about 1,200, then again It would probably take 10yrs to get rid of it all. I think I would rather just sell it as whole for 750 and take my $1,000 loss from the 1,800 I paid.

So if anyone wants it, 750 steals it ... I got a 94 sportster 1250 thats pushing about 85hp so no loss to me really but I will miss it though. Shifting at 12k and being able to listen to tunes behind a faring just dose somthing for me lol. I do like my twin better though and no offense but it's American made junk that I'm proud to own !!!! The jap just couldn't handle my demands. I thought the big 1100's were bulletproof but aperintly not. With all the problems I've read on this forum, and my topic already on the 2nd page in less than a week tells me sumthing.... RUN!!!! Run far far away and never look back!!!

Send me a PM if interested