I hear a knocking or rapping sound when coasting to a stop!

[Momz]

While riding my 98 standard today, I just noticed this sound within the last 50 or so miles. As I slowed down and without giving any throttle, I hear a rapping or knocking noise (not loud) and it seems to go away when I give the bike even just a little throttle.

I know that It is not dry splines because I really schmooied the splines and drive shaft (at both ends) with GD525. I suspect that the universal joint may be going bad, however I do not feel any odd vibrations from that area. The sound seems to be comming from the right side.

And,......no it is not wheel bearings; I've experienced that problem already on my I/S.

If there are others out there that have heard a similar noise; what were your findings? 

[SgtBunny]

Does it happen as you start to apply the brakes?

[Momz]

No,..I know that sound made by the rotor as it moves on the rivets.

The sound is heard as you coast at,...say a walking pace.

[Chrisj CMA]

I vote left rear wheel bearing.  They dont always make the same sounds (symptoms) but that low speed clunk kind of sound/feel is what my L/R bearing made the last time it started to go bad

[SgtBunny]

Hmmmm....next thought was maybe a nail but that you would not go away with throttle.

[kickstand]

Did you blow another freeze plug? When you throttle with those cobras you won't here much anyway.

[Momz]

OK, all my wheel bearings are brand new. Had to remove them when I had my wheels powder-coated.

And.....NO Kickstand, that problem has been corrected. JB Weld is good stuff to use to plug where the chrome air lines used to go!

I sure hope that someone has had the same symptoms, so I don't have to worry about what is causing this noise.

[Chrisj CMA]

OK, all my wheel bearings are brand new. Had to remove them when I had my wheels powder-coated./quote]

two things about wheel bearings and powder coating wheels.

1.  If new bearings arent seated properly and all the way in.......they can be damaged, they can go bad if damaged in this way very fast

2.  I knew a Valkyrie rider that powder coated his wheels and I seem to remember he had a problem with bearings after powder coating the wheels.

Bottom line, to really figure it out Id take down the rear end again and have look see at all the parts that can make that noise.  Bearings, u-joint, splines, dampners.

[Challenger]

I think Chrisj may be onto something, Last year I had the rear wheel off to lube and inspect, when I reinstalled it the tube spacer in the differential got out of its little seat on the rh side of the punkin, (did not know that could happen) after 30 miles I also got a clicking noise on decel, I ideled around a parking lot for 15 min trying to figure it out, Did not make noise all the way home. But what apperently happened is, it reseated itself and now the brgs were not pinched with the axle shaft. religned and torqed, all is well (Just a thought)

[fast black]

That sounds a lot like my bike did with bad wheel bearing.  Also it seems that I remember something about powder coating and wheel bearing fitment, as Chris J  referred to earlier. 
Anyhow that is what I would check, and thanks again  Momz for heads up on reattaching my seat latch cable.
adios
fast black

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Might look at the rear wheel dampers the rubber  wears after a while and you can feel a little slack in the rear slowing down and taking off.

[Momz]

Nope.....brand new Wheel Dampners.

This noise is not heard when I use even small amounts of throttle and can only be heard as I coast at slow speeds. The sound is at about every rear wheel revolution. However this noise goes away when I use my rear brake. So I'm thinking that maybe it's a brake pad issue.
But I will put my bike on the lift and spin the rear tire by hand to see if I can replicate the sound/problem and locate where it is coming from.

The wheel bearings that I've seen that had gone bad made a crunching/popping sound that was especially evident on left turns. The Powder Coaters did mask the entire brake mount and bearing area so that no PC would even come in contact with that area. I used higher quality bearings and seals than the OEM and they were installed by one of only three Gold Wing certified Technicians here in Michigan.

I will report my findings as I inspect and repair this issue.

[Ricky-D]

A rotor that is not running true will have the effect of clicking brake pads.