clutch rattle

[swabby420]

Just took the '98 Standard to a Honda dealer in Allen, and one of the mechanics said it was "probably" a bent fork in the transmission..but not exactly sure. The bike doesn't come out of gear after I shift and this rattle sounds off shifting into 4th and 5th gear.
  Does this sound right?

[Valkpilot]

I'd be more inclined to think it's in the drivetrain and the prime suspects would be the u-joint at one end of the drive shaft and the pinion spline/cup at the other end.

Have you serviced the rear end lately?  Relying on the dealer isn't always reliable.  They may not (probably don't) pull the drive shaft and examine either the u-joint or the pinion joint.

[RainMaker]

The Valkyrie transmission is pretty tough. As was noted, it is more likely a drive train issue with the U-joint, pinion or the splines. 3 years ago our friend Bruce was told his Valk had a bad transmission, bought another bike and sold his to someone local for spare parts. The local guy found it to be drive train issues, repaired the Valk and gave it back to Bruce. It now is approaching 700k miles. 

[swabby420]

Turns out to be the U-joint. What kind of money we looking at?

[Valkpilot]

Turns out to be the U-joint. What kind of money we looking at?

About $135 for the U-joint assuming you'll do the work yourself or have some local help: http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/2001/GL1500CD+A/SWINGARM/parts.html



Do yourself a favor and get a new boot too, #8 on the drawing.  Re-installing the boot will be much easier if it's new.  If you don't get a new one, spray it liberally with silicone lubricant and put in in a plastic bag to marinate for 1/2 hour or so.

[RainMaker]

If you can, do the work yourself or ask for help from one of us locals.  Learning how to do rear drive maintenance will not only save you a ton of money, you will know that the work is being done right. I would not trust my Valkyrie to a dealer shop because there are so few Valkyries and even fewer technicians who have ever worked on one.  Too many horror stories of dry splines and ruined driveshafts from having dealers work on the bikes.