GL1500 Rattle

[NEHI]

      I bought a 1990 Goldwing with a Motor Trike kit on it. It has a rattle/knock coming from the back of the alternator ( I can put my hand on the alternator and feel it). I thought it was a bad bearing in the alt. so I swapped it out with a good spare I have for my Valk, same problem. It is independent of the clutch and doesn't get any louder when I rev it up, but is still there. Any thoughts before I tear into it.
  Thanks.

[OnaWingandaPrayer]

I have two thoughts'
1 the rubber dampers which drive the alternator may be worn /dried out( no longer pliable and damping).
2 is the noise more noticeable when the bike is pointed up or down hill rather than level ? Pre 97 there is a known transmission failure on the GL1500. The shift forks wear and allow gear to gear contact without meshing into gear. This can happen also when in gear . This problem may sound like a bag of marbles in a washing machine.

 I'd be more inclined to go with #1 . You could pull the alternator out and run the engine and see if the noise is gone.

[NEHI]

      I will try #1 tomorrow.  I live in South Florida no hills here. LOL
   Thanks for the quick reply.

[redripper]

Hey! Where is all that oil going to go when running the engine without the alternator. Just saying??? (lol)

[Bighead]

Hey! Where is all that oil going to go when running the engine without the alternator. Just saying??? (lol)

Huh?

[redripper]

Never ran one w/o alternator but I think that "0" ring seals the crankcase. At least there is oil in and around the orface when the alternator is removed. I know it can be messy if you run the engine with the oil filler and or the dipstick out. Just offering for thought and possible mess prevention.