Trans mystery?

[briggs]

I got my new 81 up and running today after some cleaning and fussing. Running it on the center stand it makes a slip/clunking noise . At first I suspected the rear drive but now am looking at the transmission as the possible cause(Thats alot worse...right?)
It mainly clunks while rotating but will at times make a diminished clunking in neutral..hmmm Any ideas on how to isolate the problem? Or should I start ripping the rear end apart? Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

[briggs]

Only at idle....

I notice if I give the bike any gas it doesn't clunk...it only clunks when it's at idle. And it does it at any gear. I wish I could ride it..but we have quite a bit of snow. Could it be that it needs a load on it? I still have it on the center stand, maybe I'm worrying for naught.

[trbig]

First thing I'd do was to pull the boot back on the middle drive and check that U-joint. It gets pretty rusty sometimes if the boot leaks. Make sure those 4 bolts are all tight also.


Tod

[TopCatGr58]

Briggs,

There is a fair amount of SLOP/slack in the drivetrain of the XS11, with the change of direction from engine, middle drive, and then final drive. IF you haven't pulled the rear end apart, it would be good to do so anyways, as the zerk fitting on the top of the junction of the swingarm and final drive does NOTHING to grease the driveshaft and final drive splines, as well as the splines of the rear wheel and drive hub combo.

Also, you'll want to be sure you HAVE gear oil in the MIDDLE gear section, it's different than the engine oil, but if it hasn't been checked, it should be drained and refilled as well as the final drive.
The middle drive has been known to burn up/lock up due to running without oil due to improper draining and forgetting to fill, or not realizing it is NOT part of the main oil chamber!
T.C.

[thewiz]

A sloppy cam chain can sound similar to what you're describing also. Since it sounds like the bike is new to you, may be a good idea to check and adjust according to proceedure anyway.

If you do decide to check and adjust the cam chain tension, be sure to remember to take off the timing cover and roll the motor over with a wrench to align the 'C' on the timing wheel with the pointer first before removing the tensioner.

[GNEPIG]

Quote:
'Could it be that it needs a load on it? I still have it on the center stand, maybe I'm worrying for naught.'

You have answered your own question. Take it for a ride, when you can, if it still makes noise, you have a problem. But check your fluid levels first.