GL1500 transmission sound

[Cherokee BRE]

Hi guys... Stan online...
I have bought recently GL1500 SE 1995.USA
Dark green.. When I saw it on a ads I was pretty sure that was what I need.. When I tested, I was 100 % that is mine GL... Perfect color.. Perfect bike for me...
In geleral good condition, couple smaller issues like complete rot speakers (fixed), shifter seal + additional shifter support (fixed, 35€) and difficult start and struggle to 2500 RPM (I knew I will easily fix that. And I did. Carb repair set 50€ + sliders/needles/membrane set 25€)
And I have put main jets 125 (I didn't have smaller 115 or 110, but I will tried that, when I get them and have time to play).
I will write separat topic on that just to figure ot how and where I should do that. Because I'm a wizard and very skillful mechanic and have practice smaller jets on Africa Twin RD07 and ST1100 1996 with incredible results (higher power + respectively smaler consumption with my very heavy hand on throttle unbelievable small.. + there was Moto Guzzi Nuovo Falcone 500 for more than 200 000 km I have ride with 95% throttle and 5L/100km with my carb. tretman)
However, the question I would like to ask is shoul the gearbox or/and finad drive produce any sounds...? Because on Africa as well as PanEuropean the shifter, gearbox and final drive were so silent (except N to 1.) like digital, not mechanical...
On GL there is some stronger kliks when shift (but I believe that I need to get used to throttle / clutch / shifter, because I have ride les than 300 km and sometimes shifing was digital).
And when riding the transition or/and final drive sound like heavy old truck gearbox or differential... Not strong sound but again sound like very silent truck... Rare wheel doesn't wobble...
I haven't ride of tested or even heard any other GL1500 before... Mine is 120 000 km old...
Should I be wary or that is normal...
Thank you in advance...
PS firs impression on GL1500 with 115 main jets is good... 6L/100km.... But must say that I have ride ST like army jet plane (top gun) 160 - 180 km/h nornal, and on GL (after cab. tretman) test ride I have played with some younger riders (I guess) on some R bikes.... Thay couldn't get me on city streets..
On open road they got me, naturally...
And after ride mine comment on GL to my friend was " you would not believe how its riding... Its a R Armchair...."

[Sassy]

I agree about the transmission,. I rode an old Suzuki 850 prior to my 1500 that had a a way smoother shift.
As for the rear gear have you disassembled it and lubed the driveshaft splines and checked the gearlub levels?
The splines need a special moly grease. Lots of info in different threads here on the site. Enjoy your "enjoy your armchair" lol

[Cherokee BRE]

So Sassy. Sounds should not be present..?
Right?
I haven't disassemble anything just carbs...
And checked lubricant levels... All was ok.
You are suggesting that I should disasemble
final drive..? To hack that first..? Right?
Thanks.

[Sassy]

Yes the splines that engage the the wheel and the splines on the driveshaft. The final drive needs to come out.
There are tutorials in the how to section.

[blupupher]

I have heard many refer to the GL1500 transmission as a tractor transmission compared to most motorcycles.
It makes a lot of noise and has clunky shifting, but it works.

Without hearing it, hard to say what is normal.

There is a problem of the 4th gear shift fork being messed up causing a "clacking" sound, which is worse when the bike is pointed downhill, running and in neutral. When pointed uphill, it may not make any noise.
I describe the noise as if someone threw a bag of marbles into the transmission.


here is a youtube video from someone else with the sound of it.



   Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!

[Cherokee BRE]

While the GL is in neutral and engine is running ti sound perfecr.... However, as I said, Neutral to 1st stronger klik (naturally) and stronger kliks when shifting.... But not rarely shifting is like digital... I assume I just have to get use to engine / throttle / cluch / shifter moment..
However, while in the move some sound like an old truck gearbox or a differential is present..
On this video there is some other problem, that GL grinds and knocking while is in neutral...
(not good, in my opinion)....
Mine is granding very softly while moving and onli then... No meter, in which gear or clutch is of or on..
While wheel is spining the final drive, shaft and transmission is spinning as well...
So, I can't determine which of these is source of the sound... My hunch is that is coming from gearbox... At the moment I'm not home, at field working. But when I get home, I will put a bike on central stand and shift in some gear and with ordinarily screwdriver (longer) like stethoscope (old school) try to find out the source of sound...
However, my first question to all of experience GL1500 riders was/is should there be sounds while running in the gear... I'm asking because I have never ride, seen or heard any GL1500 from close distance... Ever...
Thanks again in advance...
Nice weather, clean roads and nice ride to all.

[Cherokee BRE]

PS. Rare speakers JBL Stage 1 41F two-way 29,50€ pair and front speakers stage 1 51f two-way speakers 38€ pair from Amazon are more than perfect...
Plastic membranes... Waterproof I would say..
And play as they should...