Intermittent Noise underneath toward rear

[SpidyJ]

I'l just be riding along either just starting our or cruising around 35-50 mph.  I'll hear a clack or clunk, not loud at all .  Ride an other 1/2 mile or 1 mile or 2 even.......there it is again.

So, I think I should raise it up. Put it in gear with the clutch disengaged and spin the rear tire....maybe I'll be able to tell where it's coming from.

99 IS 30K.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I'l just be riding along either just starting our or cruising around 35-50 mph.  I'll hear a clack or clunk, not loud at all .  Ride an other 1/2 mile or 1 mile or 2 even.......there it is again.

So, I think I should raise it up. Put it in gear with the clutch disengaged and spin the rear tire....maybe I'll be able to tell where it's coming from.

99 IS 30K.

First guess ( L ) rear bearing....Second guess pinion cup....How long has it been since you did maintence on the final drive ( pulled stump, drive-shaft , etc ) ?

[SpidyJ]

I'l just be riding along either just starting our or cruising around 35-50 mph.  I'll hear a clack or clunk, not loud at all .  Ride an other 1/2 mile or 1 mile or 2 even.......there it is again.

So, I think I should raise it up. Put it in gear with the clutch disengaged and spin the rear tire....maybe I'll be able to tell where it's coming from.

99 IS 30K.

First guess ( L ) rear bearing....Second guess pinion cup....How long has it been since you did maintence on the final drive ( pulled stump, drive-shaft , etc ) ?

Never serviced according to previous owner.  I've only had the bike a few months.  I changed the rear brake pads and
diff oil when I got it.

[Chrisj CMA]

I'l just be riding along either just starting our or cruising around 35-50 mph.  I'll hear a clack or clunk, not loud at all .  Ride an other 1/2 mile or 1 mile or 2 even.......there it is again.

So, I think I should raise it up. Put it in gear with the clutch disengaged and spin the rear tire....maybe I'll be able to tell where it's coming from.

99 IS 30K.

First guess ( L ) rear bearing....Second guess pinion cup....How long has it been since you did maintence on the final drive ( pulled stump, drive-shaft , etc ) ?

Never serviced according to previous owner.  I've only had the bike a few months.  I changed the rear brake pads and
diff oil when I got it.

if the final drive has never been off and therefore the driveshaft never lubed.......you have a real good chance at needing a pinion cup and drive shaft. 

Id also be concerned that if the PO cared that little, he probably didnt make sure the splines were cared for properly so you could be looking at a completely new drive train if the drive splines are shot (which could be the source of the noise as well as the pinion cup)

Take the rear end apart and look at everything from the driveshaft to the wheel bearings

[Brovietnam]

I agree with all that has been said earlier here.  I had a clicking noise on my '97 and it turned out a wallowed out rear bearing.  Try and catch up on all of the maintenance and then start riding.

[wild6]

And HDL is having a 10% off sale.
Best time to order oem parts.

[Ricky-D]

I'l just be riding along either just starting our or cruising around 35-50 mph.  I'll hear a clack or clunk, not loud at all .  Ride an other 1/2 mile or 1 mile or 2 even.......there it is again.

So, I think I should raise it up. Put it in gear with the clutch disengaged and spin the rear tire....maybe I'll be able to tell where it's coming from.

99 IS 30K.

That'd be a good idea!  Leave it in neutral with the clutch lever released. You'll be turning all the parts that are mentioned previously in the scare talk.

Take the bike for a nice long parking lot spin (nice and slow) lots of turns and if you feel something funny, jerky or clunky then further examination would be called for.

I would not suggest simply start tearing into the rear end. That is premature and a long as you're not contemplating leaving the haunts there is no need to jump through hoops.

See what transpires.

Here is a related post you might like to read.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,42070.msg398575.html#msg398575

***

[Chrisj CMA]

You'll be turning all the parts that are mentioned previously in the scare talk.

Scare talk....thats really funny Ricky...........except its not really funny because when the rear end parts on a Valkyrie are worn out they give little warning.....some faint noises and such and then POW youre on the side of the road going nowhere fast. 

Im just telling the man what I would do if it were my bike.  Obviously he has been listening to the sound for awhile so its not going to just go away.  So, why bother tring to isolate sounds that tend to "transmit" along the drive train.  Once you think you have it identified you have to pull all the same parts to (usually) prove yourself wrong anyway. 

Seems easier just to pull the parts do a rigorous inspection and then theres no guessing, theres either a problem to fix or there isint.

The advise that "these bikes dont break, dont worry about a little sound.....just ride it"  Now that would be scarier to me because sounds tend to be warnings and the warnings for Valkyrie drive train failure tend to be (I say it again) subtile and brief.

[SpidyJ]

It's going on the jack tomorrow. 
I want to take some long trips so no gambling.
I may be about to begin an intimate ralationship with my Valk.
I knew my Harleys pretty well. Time for something new.
I like to know and understand every noise this thing makes and see how it's put together.
It didn't make this noise when I bought it so I highly doubt it's normal.
Plus..............I rid this bike sorta hard sometimes.........I am not going to baby it.

[sandy]

When it's on the lift, the swingarm is hanging. This puts an odd angle on the U joint. Try to support the swingarm so it's in a more normal angle. Maybe you can find someone in your area to help with the rear end maintenance the first time.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

If this rear drive has not been serviced in 30k  I know if it were mine I'ld bite the bullet and take a good long look at the final drive and pinion cup and driveshaft and bearings. I agree with Chrisj been stuck on the side of the road miles from home is not a good feeling. Bearings and all other man-made  thinks do wear out and fail with time and use.

[salty1]

Glad your being proactive. Better safe than sorry! Please keep us posted on your findings.