What is this sound? Link provided. 1990 gl1500 se

[RickyBobber]

It makes this sound when it's idling in neutral. When you go to first gear it goes away. Only happens when the clutch is being pulled no matter the gear. Tends to be louder at lower speeds.



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[WingAdmin]

That sure sounds like worn shift forks to me, allowing the dogs to semi-engage and grind together.

Try this: park the bike on a relatively steep incline, facing upwards, and see if it still makes the noise. Then park it facing downwards and see if it makes the noise then.

[RickyBobber]

Thank you so much for replying! So I was only able to try this on an uphill incline. However. The noise did seem to go away until I was back to level. If I should still need to try the opposite way I will try at another time. My uphill lead to a wall and I don't have reverse. Nor an immediate way of finding a hill I can ride down. What are your thoughts? Thank you in advance!

[WingAdmin]

Thank you so much for replying! So I was only able to try this on an uphill incline. However. The noise did seem to go away until I was back to level. If I should still need to try the opposite way I will try at another time. My uphill lead to a wall and I don't have reverse. Nor an immediate way of finding a hill I can ride down. What are your thoughts? Thank you in advance!

If the noise does go away when pointed uphill, but is loud when pointing downhill, then this is a very good indication that the problem is worn shift forks.

[RickyBobber]

Thank you for helping me narrow this down. One more question that I can't seem to find the answer to. I don't have the capacity to take the engine apart or to replace it. What could happen if it remains this way? I did an oil change, didn't see any metal in there. What risk am I taking? Thanks again in advance. Ypu been my only help in hours of searching.

[WingAdmin]

It is a major repair. The engine case halves have to be split. The cost of just the labor for the repair would exceed the price of a replacement (used) engine.

If you leave it, eventually the dogs will become rounded and worn, and the transmission will start popping out of gear when you place a load on it. You might have already started to experience this at times.

[RickyBobber]

Thank you kindly for your information. You're a great asset to the community! I've searched high and low and you've been my only help. Thanks again!

[Keith Cross]

On occasions I have been asked to diagnose a noisy motor, but not that bad. The motors had a light `ting ting' sound. Leaning the bike to the left will make this louder and points to the same problem although possibly at an earlier stage.

Honda used to do a gearbox upgrade parts package (part number 23010-MAM-305) in the USA, but interestingly not available in the UK.

Unfortunately the front selector fork (part number 24211-MN5-000) is no longer available from Honda so a repair by a competent home mechanic is no longer possible due to lack of available parts.

Keith Cross