Gear whine

[sthomag]

My '79 XS11E had about 20,000 miles on it when I got it, and I've put a couple thousand on it since. Since I got it it has had a gear whine under acceleration that sounds a bit like a truck moving off from rest, or my old Beetle in reverse. It's not very loud, but it is noticeable. Above 25 mph or so it gets drowned out.

I think it's coming from the middle drive. Its pitch is proportionate to road speed, and it doesn't matter which gear it's in.

Is this whine the nature of the beast? or does it portend something serious?

Steve Thompson

[randy]

Have you checked the fluid levels in the middle drive and final drive? They may be low.

[sthomag]

Fluid levels are good, fluid seems clean.

[dbeardslee]

You might check the end of the drive shaft and make sure it's got grease in it. You can't zerk it - gotta take the rear wheel and fd off to get at it. I know you said the sound is coming from the middle drive, but sound travels funny on these bikes sometimes. I heard a rattle in mine several weeks ago that I was sure was coming from the front forks - wound up being a loose bolt on the rear fender . Might be whining in the transmission too. Are you getting any metal shavings in your oil? Just some stuff for you to think about.

[CatatonicBug]

or my old Beetle in reverse.

Sorry, I have no idea what the problem is, but with that description, I know EXACTLY what sound you mean

I do get a similar sound sometimes when I downshift to 1st while still rolling over 20mph, if that helps any.

[Ivan]

Remember these bikes use spur gears in the tranny and a bevel gear in the middle drive. While strong as a shick brithouse, they do whine. Hypoid gears don't whine, and most newer auto stuff is quiet because of that. Reverse on the Beetle was the spur gear whine.

Mine whines like that. I just keep the fluids topped off and make sure it doesn't have a mettalic glitter to it, and ride. I think the sound on my bike is normal. Couldnt say for sire on any other whithout hearing it.

[Dragon Tamer]

Just because the fluids look clean does not indicate that they have not broken down. I drain mine and put in new every spring. My 650 Maxim had the same whine and I traced it to the rear end. Greased the spline but the noise was still there. replaced the final drive fluid with 100% Lucas and the noise went away.