Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club

ok, I've been tracking down this noise all winter. In the beginning, i tried all the obvious EXTERNAL things (ie, NOT the engine).....buzz bolt, accessories, Kury covers, radiator cover, etc. All winter....though i didn't ride much.....as time/riding goes by, the noise keeps getting a little louder/worse. So i took it to the dealer.....and they checked a bunch of stuff. I've been talking about this over on the Rune board I run. Here is a post i made today over there....complete with some things checked out last week....and a video (link on youtube) with the sound at the bottom of the quoted post. I'm 99.99% sure it's in the engine. ANY THOUGHTS on what it might be? Note that i drained the oil last night and there was not one trace of anything wrong as far as metal debri, etc.

Click on the link in the quoted post for the video....I don't know how to post videos on this board.

forgot to mention, bikes runs /performs perfectly....no issues....period. Just sounds like CRAP!

Good one. I'm going to go with bad clutch. Does the noise change at all when you pull the clutch handle in? In neutral vs in gear? How many miles on this bike?

Just some ideas:
What happens when you pull the clutch lever in 1/2 way? All the way?
Does it change when you put it in gear with the clutch lever pulled?
When you pulled the timing cover off, did you remove the tension from the tensioner pullys and check them?
Could it be a bent shift arm? With the clutched pulled in, move the shift lever SLIGHTLY up and down. Does it change?
Have you had the clutch assembly out?
Did you try it with the alternator out?

Not a mechanic but do read these boards often.

One thing that I have noticed brought up concerning 97s is rivet problems with the clutch.
I am going to say that is what you got going on. Probably wouldn't affect the performance of the clutch initially but I'd bet you are heading to a clutch failure. The sound would make sense and you've seemed to have ruled out the practical suspects.

i'll check all these things tonight.....to confirm....but as i recall (cause it's been going for months...literally....and I've been investigating it more and more)...

1. no change when clutch pulled in or out
2. no change in gear.....folks even hear it when i leave work and pull out of the parking lot....and ....when i ride it a block away and go through a Publix parking lot.....people turn around and look ....I'm pretty sure cause they hear it and think "what the heck is that!"
3. it's there at idle....it's there in gear.....it's PROBABLY there at high speed....but due to wind and exhaust noise.....I can't tell for sure
4. the shop pulled the alternator (as noted).....and all they could find was a little bit of play with a shaft that comes out of the alternator ....but that wasn't the noise
5. Clutch has NOT been checked at all...but clutch performs perfectly when riding
6. 126,000 miles, had it just under 20 years
7. i didn't pull the timing cover, the shop did (as noted)...but....they said they checked EVERYTHING out. In fact, my first guess long ago....was something in the timing belt area....like a tensioner or a bearing on a tensioner or something. The timing belt  'area' was my top guess. They/shop said no.
8. the shops top guess was something in the water pump or the alternator....but....NOPE.
9. Some other folks on other boards guessed transmission problems or clutch.....with clutch being mentioned by several. My question is....wouldn't you see SOME kind of performance issue? And, when draining the oil.....if something "is toast"....wouldn't you find SOMETHING in the oil....at least some metal debri or something?

Again, I'll go recheck these suggestions on pulling in clutch....in and out of gear...etc....tonight when i get home. I'll try to ride it and post a video when it's warmed up.....just for the heck of it. MUCH quieter after it's been ridden a few miles (thank goodness, i get tired of folks looking at me in parking lots and traffic lights....when the bike isn't warmed up much!  :crazy2: )

7. i didn't pull the timing cover, the shop did (as noted)...but....they said they checked EVERYTHING out. In fact, my first guess long ago....was something in the timing belt area....like a tensioner or a bearing on a tensioner or something. The timing belt  'area' was my top guess. They/shop said no.

I'm not competent to be behind the timing cover, but... tensioner or tensioner bearing
would have been my guess too... I'm not sure how they inspected them to ensure they
were OK... how would you knowledgeable folks do it?

-Mike

If it had a timing chain I would of said that..... but it has belt and they have been checked

Aren't the oil pumps chain driven? if it is I would be checking that ASAP as if that fails it will be costly!

Its certainly not from one cylinder so it must be crank speed, and doesn't stop after the clutch is in so not gearbox.... Water pump checked, alt checked, timing belts checked....oil pump, starter gear setup...do they have a one way clutch like some? Ive not looked

Had a quick look and there is 2 oil pumps.... one is chain driven

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd316/leathel-one/1%20Valk%20Riders%20Forum/Untitled.png) (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/leathel-one/media/1%20Valk%20Riders%20Forum/Untitled.png.html)

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/1999/GL1500C+A/OIL+PUMP/parts.html (http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/1999/GL1500C+A/OIL+PUMP/parts.html)

Given that you have ruled out the clutch to your own satisfaction and I think it's reasonable that if it does it all the time in gear or out it's not the clutch then you should look at something in the valve train. What you can do if you feel confident is pull the timing cover yourself it's very simple and you can actually run the bike slowly with the timing cover off. If it's not anything to do with the timing belts or tensioners or if it is you'll know for sure when you run it with the timing cover removed.  by the way I guess you like your Honda dealer and trust him but it's not the same as seeing it with your own eyes. Then once you rule out anything to do with the timing belts I would go further down the valve train which of course means pulling the valve covers and checking your cams. But running it with the timing cover off first would be my play which is an easy one that cost nothing except maybe an hour. Keep us posted

RedValk,
I don't see a mention of the noise increasing with RPM.
As many have mentioned, pull that front cover, tensioners have known to go bad.
I heard once about a clutch push rod making a bunch of racket, have to pull the slave to get to it.
Good Luck

called the dealer and asked (yes, i've used the same mechanic 20 years, ever since i got this bike...and he does all four of my bikes, my 4 wheeler, my utility vehicle......and i do indeed trust and know him well.....they only let this ONE guy work on my bikes):

1. Bike was run with timing belt cover off....and checked for issues. None.
2. Valve covers were removed, and valves rechecked......no issue there.
3. Alternator removed and checked
4. Water pump removed and checked

They were to the point where to check ANYTHING else, would require pulling the engine and tearing it down.

I'm thinking about running some sea foam in the oil ....per a suggestion from another board. And again, I'm puzzled that NOTHING came out in the oil change (and I did that)....nothing.....not a single sliver of metal or debri....it was clean as could be.

I'll be going over it some more tonight....and this weekend no doubt. As it's been going on over 3 months.....I'm about at my whits end....as in....I'm starting to seriously think about sadly getting rid of the bike and getting another bike.....like maybe an F6B or something. I'd miss the old 97 though..........

My brother in KC offered to take out engine and tear it down and fix whatever it is....but to get the bike up there (no way I'd trust it to RIDE it up there).....the fuel to get it up there would be about 200 there and 200 back. And i would no doubt have to leave it with him a while. THen .....it would be another 200 up and back to go back and get it.....plus hotel....etc. I could just pay local dealer to do that....IF....I want to put another 1000 + dollars into the bike.

 so clearly the Honda shop thought it was in the valve train also. It sure sounds like it to me. Unless it could be something like that oil pump you were talking about. Well let us know what you learn. For what it's worth I would never have a motor torn down just for inspection, especially a bulletproof Valkyrie engine

Sounds to me like a fan blade hitting something. Don't feel that's the problem, it's just what it sounds like so I'd look for something that may have come loose and a timing pulley or something else is hitting it as it goes around. Really weird sound, I must say. Don't think it's a clutch.

Did a little research on odd Valk noises and ran into the linked thread that talks about replacing the rear clutch bearing. Can you get a length of garden hose and listen around the bike to see if you can pinpoint where the noise is the loudest?  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=21108.0 (http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=21108.0)

Without seeing more of the bike, and better pictures each time you change the position of the camera, I would say you have something inside your exhaust that is vibrating. It does sound like you have aftermarket exhaust on the bike although it cannot be seen.

You want better analysis? You need to do a better job of pictures of what the camera is listening to.

But I still think you've something vibrating inside your exhaust.

***

Tim, I had a Yamaha Maxim 750 that made the same noise. I t was the oil pump chain. Since your noise ( like mine) seems to stop when you accelerate, that would say to me the chain gets some more tension on it an stops rubbing on the guard

This might be a longshot,but if yours is de-smoged. When i de-smoged my 98 I cut and plugged each fitting at the cyl. head.
what I didn't realize was that I missed the alignment of the little brackets that hold the front top plugs under the engine guard.It didn't take long for these plugs to work their way out far enough for the exhaust pressure to  rattle them against the engine guard,it sounded a lot like your noise and would come and go at different rpms.Good luck

Tim,
Do you have one of these or have access to one to possibly help isolate the area where the sound/noise is coming from?

http://t.harborfreight.com/mechanics-stethoscope-69913.html?utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F (http://t.harborfreight.com/mechanics-stethoscope-69913.html?utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F)

I am with BASSMAN, it is amazing how you can narrow down a noise with one of those.

Good luck, Jim

You can put a hard plastic handled screwdriver blade against the engine and "listen" to the noise coming from the handle.

Don't laugh. It works.

Britman, you failed to explain how one must curl his thumb around the end of the screwdriver then place the first nuckle in the ear. Then it works well.

Are pulling my leg?

I've just held ear to handle and it's like a stethoscope.

That's a nasty sound.  Kinda does sound clutch related, but get your hands on a mechanics stethoscope and you should be able to nail it down more.

Or the hose, or the screwdriver, with or without the special finger curl trick. :)

I'm with Britman, I've never used that method. I just put my long screwdriver tip where I wanted to listen and my ear on the handle. No problem hearing anything.

If you can't isolate with a screw driver where the sound is coming from I would drop the exhaust and start it. Sounds like it could be something broke loose in the exhaust and you said the sound is less after warm up. I would try that before I tore into the engine.

It certainly sounds rotating to me:
I always used a long bladed screw driver against my ear. (works every time)
Get one of these and isolate the location (general area on the engine). 4 bucks Harbor freight

(http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_22652.jpg)

a ton......literally....a ton of GOOD advice. Too much to comment on ALL of it! I really do appreciate EACH AND EVERY response. So.....some updates from my end:

Tried pulling in clutch.....fully....half way....etc, no change in sound.

Tried putting in gear.....no change in sound.

Under load.....no change in sound.

For what's it worth, no oil pressure warning light (yet?)

I'm going by HF today at lunch to pick up the stethoscope and continue listening this weekend....and I'll be trying some things/checking some things.....even taking some parts off....

This bike was desmogged long ago by Big BF at an InZane. The screwdrive "thing" definitely tells me the sound is coming from the engine. I just need to try and isolate it further.

If i were to guess (and I am NOT, repeat NOT a good mechanic).....but with that caveat said, my best guess given all I've heard/seen so far.....is what Jeff said about the oil pump chain being loose/worn and rubbing on a guard or something like that. The real issue will be....if it does wind up being something that requires pulling the engine (and everything seems to point to that....to my layman eyes).....I'm just not sure what I'll do at that point. I know, I AM NOT personally pulling the engine. I just don't feel comfortable with my level of expertise doing that. The bike is 20 years old.....long, long, long ago paid for. Has given me LOTS of pleasure over those 20 years.....and 126,000 miles. One option is i just don't fix it. I thank it for 20 years of faithful service and move on. Another option is sell it for parts. Or....possibly TRY to trade it in on a new F6B (granted, would no doubt get very little for it in this condition?).

I just don't know if I'm willing to put 1000 bucks or more in a 20 year old bike. that's what the dealer wants to take engine out and tear it down. Again, I AM NOT DOING THAT.....personally.....   I'll tear your Cisco router apart or trouble shoot million dollar complex networks in the IT world, design and trouble shoot complex antenna and transmission line systems....etc, etc.....but tear down an engine? not this fella'................... :2funny:

You will be able to locate it with a stethoscope, if it's behind the timing cover you can isolate it by putting the scope probe on the bolts of rotating parts.

If it cant be isolated to the front the rear clutch case is likely where the sound is coming from, It houses the 2 oil pumps (one chain driven)

the chain for the oil pump $35.28the starter clutch ($147)
 the alt gear $220(has a damper setup)
and of coarse the clutch.... to many parts to list but kits are available for plates after market and the housings are not too bad if got from the right place (outer $251.47 has a rt of $354)

Your bike has a fault and will not need all done ..... if you could do the spanner work under $500 would cover it

1K and its a cheap fix still compared to the cost of the bike, you bike is not worth much with the noise..... so if keeping or selling it should work out cheaper to fix it than replace the bike or sell it as is. Unless you can find someone keen to pay good money for it as is

(parts prices from http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/1999/GL1500C+A/parts.html (http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/1999/GL1500C+A/parts.html) )

NEWSFLASH: Just did about 30 minutes of listening with Harbor Freight mechanics stethoscope (I picked up at lunch)......kept moving around, moving around....listening.....and then.....i touched it to the oil filter....BINGO.....there it is....loud as loud can be. In fact, when i touch the metal probe to the MIDDLE of the oil filter, not only is it loud as hell....and clear (the sound)....the probe starts VIBRATING with the noise. Now, i just replaced the oil filter, so no, it's not that. It's something connected to the oil filter though.....that's FOR SURE! I moved it ALL around the entire rest of the bike....nowhere do you hear (and FEEL) it like the center of the oil filter.

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd316/leathel-one/1%20Valk%20Riders%20Forum/Untitled.png)



ok, in the picture above....is the end of that shaft coming out of the middle of the oil pump area...that looks to be threaded on the end....is that what feeds to the oil filter? If so, whatever is making that noise is either directly attached to that shaft, or dang close to it!

I don't know about that chain, all of that is on the back of the engine.
There is really nothing right behind the oil filter, and you said you changed the filter but I wonder is it the same kind of filter as the old one? I assume it did it with the old one?
It only does it when it's cold if I remember what you said, could it be the pressure relief valve in the filter beer canning? When it's cold is probably the only time that valve really functions much. (more or less)
Just a thought...

Whatever it is, if the noise is down in that area you'd have to pull the engine and remove the crankcase to fix it.  Broken main oil pump maybe...also noise does travel so the chain on the scavenge pump is possible. Something let go in your crankcase.

Yep I wouldn't blame you a bit if you let her go if the motor needs to be removed for this fix.  I would do the same thing. I like the way you put it you say thank you to the old girl and then sell it as is. We're not getting any younger. I'm in this for the ride not so much for the science.  Just my 1.5 cents

it is louder when cold, not so loud when warmed up. It did it with the old oil filter....that had been on there a year. then i changed oil and filter two days ago....and it still does it exactly the same with this new oil filter. i don't see how it could be the oil filter? Someone else on the Rune board suggested checking to see if the "boss" the oil filter goes on is tight.

So are you saying ....in that picture i posted/copied above....the oil filter doesn't connect to that shaft coming out the middle of that picture? If so, that chain would have to be real close behind the oil filter. Or am i missing something (which is possible!)?

local Honda shop (i just called) would want between 1000-1300 to replace that chain on the oil pump....if....that was the issue.

Just a thought. I know you don't want to tackle it but maybe you can find someone who does. You can get a complete Valkyrie engine for much less than that, maybe half that. Just say'in it's an option. If I was local I'd help you. Any members down there in Bama? Come on guys, help this member ...

So are you saying ....in that picture i posted/copied above....the oil filter doesn't connect to that shaft coming out the middle of that picture? If so, that chain would have to be real close behind the oil filter. Or am i missing something (which is possible!)?
[/quote]

That chain is in the back of the engine it drives the scavenge pump, the shaft continues on to the main oil pump.
I don't see anything right behind the oil filter but oil passages. However I don't have an exploded view of the engine which would show everything.
I would think oil is viscous and damping  and unable to transmit noise, I also don't think you have located the problem, you may have found the loudest noise but the filter may just be propagating or channeling the noise.

Yeah I thought the same Gabriel, but I'll tell you what that shaft would sure help noise travel. Anyway, we're just making small talk. The engine needs to be pulled.

After listening to the noise again with head phones, it almost sounds like a piston or wrist pin, maybe even something on top of the piston.
That's easy to verify; just pull one plug wire off at a time and run the engine.
I would put a spark plug in the wire and lay it on the engine, easier on the ignition parts that way.
Again just a thought and easy to verify...

 Good idea ... :cooldude: :cooldude:

I would never send a job to the unit room (engine and main component overhaul) without verifying or isolating the problem.
If this engine had say a crack in the upper side of the wrist pin boss on cylinder #1 piston you would never see it under normal inspection.
I guess you could install a used engine like was suggested and never know what was wrong with your old one but that would drive me crazy not knowing what it was.
I worked with German automotive engineers for almost twenty years and not finding what was causing this noise would not be an option.
I worked in the field for VW Porsche/Audi as a Diagnostician before I went to Honda.

Is it the same brand of filter that you had on there before?

I'm too much of a hardware geek:
I'd break out the welder and cut the cover off of a new filter, gut it and weld the cover back on. If the noise goes away, you know it's the filter. If not then it's time to break out the engine diagrams and see what might be connected to the shaft of that filter thread and use an endoscope to see if I can see something amiss in there.

But that's just me.
Icelander

to me the sound is too quick to be 1 piston related.... but no harm in trying

Oil flow to the filter looks to be quite direct so a flow tube could transmit the noise?

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd316/leathel-one/1%20Valk%20Riders%20Forum/oil%20flow.jpg) (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/leathel-one/media/1%20Valk%20Riders%20Forum/oil%20flow.jpg.html)

behind the oil filter

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd316/leathel-one/1%20Valk%20Riders%20Forum/behind%20the%20filter.jpg) (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/leathel-one/media/1%20Valk%20Riders%20Forum/behind%20the%20filter.jpg.html)

Based on the drawing it's not a tube, it's a machined passage in the block

Transmission bearing/shaft? or Shifter fork/cam issues?
That is what is in the front bottom of the crankcase.

Otherwise front main bearing and front 2 rod bearings.

If you can handle complex network communications you can handle a Valk engine rebuild.
It is not rocket science.

If you end up spliting the cases, plan on a bearings and rings and some other parts.

The scavenge oil pump is for sure the main oil pump possible as the pick with the cover off shows the oil pipe, likely to be just in the case but not sure,  but I am not convinced it would transmit to the filter from the rear of the engine

If it were me I would pull transmission cover the filter mounts to as there are some possible culprits in there and its not engine out...

Ohh wait I see the drive for the water pump..... It looks to be driven from the same shaft as the oil pump and scavenger pump... so a direct line to the back.... I will look further

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd316/leathel-one/1%20Valk%20Riders%20Forum/01b337b1-7e09-4392-82cd-94583c36f507.jpg) (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/leathel-one/media/1%20Valk%20Riders%20Forum/01b337b1-7e09-4392-82cd-94583c36f507.jpg.html)

that shaft that drives the water pump looks to be driven from the same chain as the oil pumps

If you were to remove the water pump and check for for movement in the impeller it would indicate a loose chain  (not bearing slop but forward and back rotation movement) 

If it looks to be that chain the parts are not expensive but it is under the clutch so would be engine out, Clutch out, rear housing off etc but not split the case.... but step by step not that hard, but doable for most with the service manual :)

when i put the mechanic's stethoscope probe on the center of the oil filter....the vibration is bad enough  to make the probe tip rattle and not want to remain in contact. It is QUITE loud at the center of the oil filter (with the probe).

The shop did pull the water pump and inspect that area.

I've had this noise over a period of months....and with two different oil filters. the original filter was on their at least a year. The second one put on this week.

Since it is proven you can change the clutch without removing the engine. I would think you can change the oil pump chain without removing the engine as well.

alright.....I spent the weekend looking/probing the bike with the mechanic's stethoscope....and....finally.....reading the service manual.....lots of pages in the service manual ....and studied all the pictures.

So, after doing that....and rereading some of the posts....I noted a few of you had mentioned there is not much behind the oil filter .....or....that the chain and guide, oil pump, pressure relief valve, etc....are all in the BACK of the engine. I get that now.

So looking at the pictures in the service manual, what is DIRECTLY behind the oil filter....is part of the shifter linkage/arm. As loud as that noise is...IN THE CENTER OF THE OIL FILTER....plus, the way the probe is literally vibrating when touching the center of the oil filter....makes me wonder, could it possibly be something with the parts for the shifter located IMMEDIATELY behind the oil filter? like something loose .....rubbing on the transmission cover RIGHT WHERE THE OIL FILTER MOUNTS? Could it be something like that? If so....would there be any symptoms in the bike (other than noise)....ie....wouldn't that somehow affect shifting gears? I have no problems shifting gears, but where I'm going with this....is....would it be worth attempting to pull the transmission cover and seeing if something is amiss behind the cover with those shifter parts?

And...................can you remove that cover WITHOUT pulling the engine from the frame (the service manual seems to indicate you can).

Do you more knowledgeable folks think it would be worth looking behind that transmission cover, assuming it can be accessed without pulling the engine?

I just find it hard to believe the problem would be something in the BACK of the bike (ie, chain or chain guide for oil pump, oil pump pressure relief valve, etc.). One, i find it hard to understand why the ONE ONLY ONE PLACE....I can really hear the sound (and feel a vibration)....is on the very middle of the oil filter. How would the sound transfer from the back to the front....and why is it SO MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED....on the very middle of the oil filter...in both sound and vibration. And why ....when i search with the stethoscope probe....can't i find the sound ANYWHERE else on the bike...to include the back? yea, you can barely hear the sound....you can barely hear it all over the engine. But the ONLY place you distinctly hear it AND FEEL it....is on the center of the oil filter.

I caveat all above with saying I am NOT a mechanic....and i did NOT stay in a Holiday Inn Express recently  :2funny:  :crazy2:

to clarify....see the area at bottom left of picture....the area behind the oil filter....is there something in there that could be causing the noise and vibration on the center of the oil filter? (ignore the area in red on right side of picture, that was someone else making a point on this picture earlier)

(http://www.runeriders.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16650&stc=1&d=1490666306)

Without  wanting to sound too silly have you thought about taking the oil filter off and putting a different make on?

i did take the oil filter off last week, and put a brand new OEM Honda oil filter on. No difference.........

The reason you hear/feel the most in the center of the oil filter is because whatever is making the noise is transmitting the noise through the metal of the engine to the threaded post that the filter threads onto. It really doesn't matter where the actual bad part is if it has a mechanical link to where you are hearing it.

I would get Attic Rat's opinion if you don't already

Its probably worth a look, Just a gaskets needed if you tear them....but I cant think of what could cause that noise that wouldn't stop with the clutch and putting it is gear.

 

I hear ya' (pun intended)....but....It's just kind of curious to me that if the noise were coming from somewhere else.....anywhere else....wouldn't you hear the noise when you put the probe close to THAT area? So far, the ONLY place i hear the noise STRONG....and feel vibration is in the center of the oil filter. I guess you're saying since the oil filters threads on .....it's picking up the vibration on the part that it threads on. but if that's the case, why don't i hear the noise strong when i put the probe on the case RIGHT NEXT to the oil filter? Is perhaps the oil filter acting as some kind of echo chamber? Anyway, I just find it odd just how loud that sound is....and how strong the vibration is....on the center of the oil filter. I agree that it could be coming from the "boss" or whatever you call the "thing" you thread the oil filter onto....but looking at the picture in the service manual, there is no pipe that is coming out of the engine where the oil filter connects. It appears that it must just be a threaded connection that is part of the transmission cover. So why doesn't the probe pick up the noise....or vibration....equally well right next to the oil filter on the transmission cover?

It's just puzzling to me. Several people on the Rune board asked what Britman asked....about trying different oil filters....something about a defective valve on an oil filter, but again, i tried a brand new HOnda OEM oil filter with the same results. So I'm 99.9999% sure (an Engineer will just about never say 100% sure, we always leave that buffer for some "esoteric" possibility!) it's NOT the oil filter.

Again, if the noise was being caused at the back of the engine....or somewhere else....by something like that chain we've been talking about.....I'd think....when you put the probe near where that part is located......you'd hear the noise louder....clearer.

But again, the ONLY place i hear the noise loud....and clear.....is at the center of the oil filter. You have to press the probe pretty hard onto the center....to keep it from vibrating off....the noise and vibration are so strong at that location. Before looking at the service manual....I was assuming there was some kind of "boss" or "tube"....that might run from where the oil filter attaches toward the oil pump, etc. But alas, looking at the service manual diagrams, there doesn't appear to be any pipe or direct path from the oil filter to the oil pump, etc. Again, to me....it looks like there must just be some threaded connection point that is part of the transmission cover (for the oil filter connection)? And that just makes me keep saying.....if the noise is that loud on the center of the oil filter, why not right NEXT to the center too?

I suggested you get the stethoscope because I have used this method for decades (I actually used a long screw driver most of the time).
I have never heard a noise being emitted louder from somewhere other than the actual origin, I certainly believe you, I'm just puzzled as to how this is happening?
So you know it's not the oil filter itself, could it be the oil pump or pressure relief valve is pulsing in such a way as to cause the filter to make noise? (never heard of that either)
Someone makes and oil filter housing that uses an internal filter, if that was easily available for this application would solve a lot of unknowns, you could mount it up empty and test it.
http://www.knfilters.com/kn/billet_oil_filter.aspx (http://www.knfilters.com/kn/billet_oil_filter.aspx)
http://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35925 (http://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35925)

What the back side of the oil filter cover looks like;
(http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp75/gabriel1951/MC%202017/s-l500_zpst7cazg4i.jpg)

The front side:
(http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp75/gabriel1951/MC%202017/_57_zpsuikqh4pd.jpg)

There is absolutely nothing there. you can see the oil channels on the back side.

I think it is time for you to pull the motor and act like you are doing a hydrolocked bike. pull the clutch basket and the rear case. I bet you find your problem in that rear case. and check the chain while you are in there.

I think I would replace the front transmission cover.
If you look at the right side front of the engine with the transmission cover off there are two tubes with o-rings. These tubes transfer oil to and from the filter through the channels in the front cover.
There could be a foreign object trapped in the channels that is pulsating with the oil pressure. Sounds unlikely but this is a strange problem.

RedValk,
When the noise started, did you make any changes or add any accessories to the bike?

Several years back I had a similar noise in my interstate, traced it to the oil pump drive chain in the rear of the motor.  Chain and sprockets were ok. But Found a small guard on the chain that the bolts had come out of and let the guard rub on the chain. Sound was much like yours, but not near as loud.  Stethoscope is probably the best way to localize where it is coming from.

If you were closer, I would help you figure this out.
Maybe someone closer can help you...

Given all that's been said and ruled out my money's on this

I got my 98 running and now I seem to have a similar noise...just wondering if you've had any luck finding the problem?

I can understand you are having difficulty accepting the thinking that the problem must lie at the oil filter area since that is where you feel the vibration the most. I used to work on cars, boats, most anything and found many times that sound/ vibrations can come from anywhere and rattle a component on the other side of whatever. It happens! I would use the stethoscope as others have suggested, also have you listened while you speed the engine up? Might make a difference. The guys have some good ideals and some are probably correct but we don't know and all of us wish we could come help listen.
You can pull plug wires or even plugs and see if anything changes or listen (carefully) at the exhaust tip, see if one side worse than the other. Good Luck, keep us posted.

Bump this back up. Redvalk any status update?

The shaft that runs the scavenge pump is also the shaft that runs through the main oil pump. The is driven from the back of the engine by scavenge pump. It is run by a chain. This chain hooks to the primary driven gear boss which runs off the main shaft. There are needle bearings inside the this gear where it runs on the main shaft. I hope this helps to explain the oil system. You can also go to the work shop manual and see pictures.

I know this is an old post but was this ever cured as I now have the same issue. It occurred after removing the engine to paint it. Starter motor, alternator were removed during this. Valve clearances done. Demobbed, Engine replaced and appeared to run as before. Changed oil and filter and ran engine all was good.
Bike sat for a month then I ran it and then this very same noise appeared. Its loud when cold and virtually disappears when hot.
Took water pump out and obviously caught all the oil that came out of the case, so it was almost empty. Ran engine (briefly) and there's no noise.
I thought it was the water pump but after stripping pump and finding nothing I replaced the water pump.
I filled with oil, ran engine and noise returned.
Drained oil and very briefly ran engine again.  No noise.
It appears to either oil filter or oil relief valve.
Was this issue solved?

Sorry, haven't been on here in MANY years. NO, this problem......was NEVER cured/fixed. It STILL DOES IT.....to this day. I've continued to ride the bike.....with that noise....for many years now. Granted, I don't ride many miles anymore. The bike is approaching 130k miles. I just never drive it far away.....lest something catastrophic happen!

BUT....I will say....lately, I've noticed the clutch engages the moment you start letting it out. You have to pull the lever ALL the way in ....unlike years past....and it's hard to find neutral.

So..............clutch going out? Probably. Related to that noise (as some others suggested long ago)....maybe? And this is one of the original 97s.....and I read about issues with clutch springs breaking on them. So....could it be clutch issues....one or a few of those clutch srpings broke....are laying in the bottom of the clutch basket.....and when you start the bike , before oil is flowing good....you hear that horrible rattling noise. Then it warms up, and the noise just about goes away. Could it be the clutch was starting to go bad long ago? Keep in mind, I've ridden less than 3k miles in the last 7 or 8 years.....with my severe back issues.

Anyway, to this day....nothing has been solved and the noise is STILL there! I've offered to sell the bike a couple of times "as is"....for about 1500 bucks. But never got any one interested. Bike still looks great....and is loaded with extras. And i still ride it a couple of times a month without hesitation. I just wouldn't take it as it is on a long trip ....if you know what I mean.   :crazy2:

I read this post from the beginning and I didn't see where you removed the rear engine cover and inspected the clutch.

Maybe I missed it.

That is not a overly difficult job and would be what I would do, if I had this issue.