Rear end clicks

[perurider]

I just got an 1979 XS Eleven I really like it. only thing I hear a clicking sound like gear slipping on hard acceleration. But under 'normal' riding no problems...any help much appreciated. I think my local dealer is closed (Max Pitts).

[WMarshy]

Hey Max, welcome to Channel 11. Do your self a favor, dont take your bike to the dealer! It will only end up costing you more time and money. With our help and a little bit of time you can do any and all repairs your self even with minimal experience. What gear are you in when you hear the noise? Does it make the noise under hard acceleration in every gear or just a few? You might have the second gear issue, do a search on the sight for "second gear issue" and you will have a lot to read. Also take some time to read about other things to look for on a neglected XS11. GL and welcome!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Maxx,

Yep, if it's okay under normal accelleration, but you feel it under hard accel in the first couple of gears, then it's most likely the dreaded 1st/2nd gear skipping malady. There are several tech tips so you don't have to do a SEARCH, just view the tech tips under repairs, transmission.

Since you just got the bike, enjoy it, ride it "normally", and then after riding season, you can tear it down and fix it so next year you can be free to really crank it up if you like without worrying about it skipping/tearing up the gears!

T.C.

[CatatonicBug]

+2 on the 2nd gear issue. It can happen in any gear, but is most common in 2nd. We are having a rally in central Illinois in May, to fix that exact problem on another member's bike. Feel free to join us if you like, and you can see how to take care of it. That was my very first large issue that I fixed on my bike when I got it, and it was the first time I had ever been in ANY transmission. It's about a 6-8 hour job for an inexperienced novice, assuming nothing else happens, and you don't have to go out and buy replacement bolts or other things.

Oh, and +1 on avoiding the dealer like the plague! All they will do is take your money and give you back a bike that isn't any better than it was when you gave it to them.

[Ken Talbot]

SWMBO's 'H used to have a 'click' similar to what you're describing. That one turned out to be a lack of grease where the rear wheel attaches to the final drive. I gave it a good dab of grease when I had the wheel off, and the 'click' sound went away. This is a lot less work then the whole 1st/2nd gear fix, and is pretty easy to do. Try that before you start tearing it down for a transmission rebuild.

[perurider]

I will just ride it, it had sat since 2005 in a garage, and fix problems in November. It only does it in first, I get out of it when I hear it. I just dont want to experience a sudden stop with the rear end locked up at 60 mph. he he.

[SFerinTEXAS]

While maybe not related, I would strongly advise you to change the gear oil in both gear units before you drive it till november. Thats a must on any XS newly acquired.

[perurider]

There is a final drive on ebay right now, how do you tell if its any good? says bike had 19k miles on it has the driveshaft too.

[WMarshy]

You might want to hold off on buying the rear dif. Sounds more like the firts/second gear issuse than it does the rear end. Maybe try adding grease to the rear spline where the rim attaches to the dif, and change the middle and read gear oils first. JAT