QuestionSomething is slipping when bike gets into 1st gear when under a load. It shifts through all gears fine when on the main kickstand. A grinding noise sounds like it is comming from the final drive or maybe the drive shaft. I bought a used final drive and that didn't fix it. I have a used shaft to put in once I locate a lock nut wrench adapter required to take the swingarm off. I don't think the problem is the clutch. The bike began slipping and making the noise when something popped or broke while I was shifting into 2nd gear going around a corner. It also seemed to pull to the right when shifting under extreme power before it broke.
After replacing the final drive, the noise still sounds like it originates from that final drive hub. I looked for metal shavings etc. around the final drive, in the rear wheel and the end of the drive shaft and did not see any.
Do you think I am right in assuming the drive shaft might be broke or should I be looking a something else?
Thanks for looking at this problem. I really like my bike.
AnswerJohn, you didn't say how many miles are on the bike, but I guess a lot after 23 years. Drive shaft u-joint failures are not unknown, so that seems the most likely place to go next. The u-joint is more forward, near the swing arm pivot, but sometimes sounds will travel around, masking the true origins. Can you pull the boot back over the u-joint to look for metal debris?
Did you check the wheel bearings?
There are some dampers in the trans and final shaft that could be worn/broken, but if the noise is still emitting from the rear end area, keep on in that location, I guess.
I'm not really a GW guy, so check some links below to see if they can assist you further...
http://t.webring.com/hub?ring=goldwing;hubview=y
Bill Silver
