NGWClub®, Inc.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

Good catch!

Hi 1983lux,
I was just doing a search on rear hub noise. Found your post & watched your video's.
I have a 1975 GL1000 doing the exact same noise.
Mine only does it after the the bike has been ridden hot. when cold or on the stand, you don't hear it.
I thought it was the spokes, so I retention all of them to 30inch lbs, but still has been doing it.
I recently put new tires on & didn't notice any issues with the bearings, but after seeing what you found, I
think I'm going to recheck mine.
Mine started clicking a couple of years ago, but I have only done maybe 1500 miles since.
I see your in Canada.
where did you get your bearings at?

had that happen on my 78 (many years ago) could only hear it when I had riden a while and the bearing warmed up.
Check to make sure you have not enlarged the place the bearing inserts into the wheel, because the clunking was the outside of the race slipping

rcmatt007 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2024 9:14 am had that happen on my 78 (many years ago) could only hear it when I had riden a while and the bearing warmed up.
Check to make sure you have not enlarged the place the bearing inserts into the wheel, because the clunking was the outside of the race slipping

rcmatt007.
I am following this post.
I have the exact issue.
I replaced my rear bearings in January, they were not real bad.
Just got out to test drive yesterday after our Canadian WInter.
The noise is definitely quieter, but not gone. Only heard when pushing the bike, not when riding at any speed, engine off coasting.
I pulled it back apart yesterday.
I did notice the drive side bearing was, let’s say snug - loose.
Measured the housing 47mm measured new bearing, 47.13
Now I’m wondering if, when warm if the bearing is turning slightly at static to first rotational slow movement speed.
I read about the GL1200’s bearing outer race issues.
BTW: All the diff & driveshaft bearings seem fine.
The noise is definitely felt right on the spindle nut.
So now I’m thinking that when the hub warms up, the outer bearing race might move?
Thinking of loctiting the bearing.

Thoughts welcome!