Click-clack-clunky noise from rear end while rolling.

[1983lux]

Hi all,

I have some weird noises coming from the back end of my GL1000 when rolling. It is most noticeable when rolling the bike with engine shut off. Here's a couple of videos. One is with the bike in gear after pulling into my driveway, i hit the killswitch and then you can clearly hear the noise.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4mdY55Wr1gI

Also another video of just rolling the bike backward in neutral

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EiphtYB6R9M

When I put the bike up on the centerstand in neutral and turn the wheel, i get a bit of brake rub but no noises like that. Also, if I push the tire side to side there doesn't seem to be any clicking or wiggle.

Any thoughts on this? Thanks

[Sagebrush]

Check the drive shaft under the boot could also be the splines at the rear of the drive shaft.

[1983lux]

Here's some pics (best I could do) with the boot pulled back. Anything look amiss?

shaft1.PNG (515.54 KiB) Viewed 616 times

shaft2.PNG (458.05 KiB) Viewed 616 times

shaft3.PNG (600.26 KiB) Viewed 616 times

[1983lux]

I had the hub off the back last time I changed my rear tire (last year i think). At that time, I checked and used Honday moly M77 grease on the splines from the hub to the wheel, and the hub to the back of the driveshaft. None of them looked worn or tired to my eye at least.

Here's another video of me messing with the rear wheel while its on the stand:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qBK4gduEtWk

Strangely, as I went to put the bike away, I can't reproduce the noise at all!! Whether rolling in gear or in neutral, bike on or off, I don't hear any clicks at all. Only difference would be that the bike is now cold. Is there a bearing in the final drive or something that'd only make noise when it's hot? Strange.

[Sagebrush]

You might drain the rear drive oil and inspect for metalic particles.

[gltriker]

[pidjones]

While the U-joint boot is pulled back, grap it with some lkng-nose pliers and give it a good shake.

[1983lux]

Will check fluid and use the vice grips next time I’m in the shop, but suspecting bad swingarm bearings like this post could be a possibility:
https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopi ... =4&t=66496

allowing the swingarm to move side to side slightly and the driveshaft to rub against the inside tube might explain the issue? (Especially how it’s intermittent). A sharp turn one way could cause it to rub, then turning the other way could slide it a few MM back to the correct position

Any tips on how to rule out the swingarm? I’ve never touched those bearings in the 10 years I’ve had the bike, could be original for all I know

[1983lux]

So, finally got to taking the whole back end of the bike apart. Swingarm bearings and thrust bushes looked ok, but replaced bearings anyway. Driveshaft u-joint like new. Wheel bearings seem fine although the spacer inside the wheel seems noisy when I move it around. Splines where driveshaft meets final drive were pretty dry, some visible wear. The m77 I put on a couple years ago mostly flew off. Maybe that was the source. I’ll regrease the hell out of everything, replace wheel bearings, rebuild rear caliper, then see how it goes when all reassembled.

[1983lux]

Mystery solved, bad wheel bearing. For some reason, was hard to detect as the outside looked fine, it didn’t make noises off the bike, and didn’t feel rough when spinning with my finger. Once I popped it out of the wheel though, it was obviously bad.

Probably didn’t hurt to do the swingarm bearings anyway though, and the final drive certainly was in dire need of grease, feel less of a clunk on takeoff now.

IMG_3779.jpeg (506.62 KiB) Viewed 410 times

[Sagebrush]

Always good to find the cause of an unusual noise. Good thing you pursued it.

[kerryb]

Good catch!