Motorcycle Repair: 84 Goldwing Interstate noise, goldwing interstate, wheel bearings

Question
Chris, the bike is making an intermittant squealing/whine that sounds like a shaft withhout oil or grease but doesn't seem to be related to the engine as it doesn't do it all the time and when it does I can gear down and pull in the clutch and it still makes the noise at the same pitch then it will lower in pitch and then stop. I can go again and it may or may not come on again. Also, if I just keep ddriving it eventually goes down in pitch to where I hardly hear it and appears to stop.  It doesn't seem to do a thing to the mechanical operation of the valves or camshafts or crank etc. But I wonder? Any ideas? It's an 84 GL1200 I with 100,000 miles. Oil is changed regularly and it's got new coolant and plenty.
Jim LOgan

Answer
Hi Jim.
 Since it isn't coming from the engine, where is it coming from?

 There are a lot of moving parts on a bike that require lubrication.  Some more often than others.  It could be the wheel bearings or drive shaft need greasing or the rear differential could need the oil replaced.  You could have a bad bearing in any of those areas.

Once you know where the sound is coming from, that narrows down what the problem is.

If it's the wheel bearings, then replace them.  Differential needs new oil? change it.
Check the drive shaft.  It could be that the universal joint is wearing out.  The bike is 20 years old and if it's been ridden a lot, that could be a problem.

Check those things out and let me know what you find.
Good luck.
FALCON