Motorcycle Repair: 1984 Goldwing, metal shavings, goldwing 1200

Question
Hi Bill

I have an 84 Goldwing 1200 CC in good shape but with one problem. The bike will start fine and all electrical accessories work but when the clutch is engaged and it is put in gear the bike makes an awful (grinding) noise from the right rear of the bike. I don't believe it is the clutch but rather the final drive....does this sound like the problem and if so how would I fix and what would be the approximate cost? The bike was converted a few years back to a trike because of leg issues after back sugery but all 3 wheels are in constant contact with the ground?

Missing my ride alot buds...hope you can point me in the right direction.

Fred

Answer
Fred, based on your brief description and the history of the bike as a trike, I would take a look at the drive shaft universal joint, unless the sound is further back.  Sometimes sounds from the final drive can be amplified or transferred along the swing arm.

Only way to start trouble shooting is to drain the final drive oil first, looking for debris and metal shavings. If none, then pull the wheels off and final drive to access the drive shaft. I think that you will probably have to pull the swing arm to get to the universal joint end of the shaft, though.

http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-gl1200a-gold-wing-aspencade-1984-us_model656/partslis...

Hope that this is helpful.

Bill Silver