transmission noise

[er6ben]

I would agree with the poster that mentioned the front bevel gear. If the gear itself needs to be replaced that can be a decently large project but you're right on the milage where I see those go 65-85k on the last few 1500/1600's. Was the noise you mentioned preceded by any type of bearing whine on decel ? If you have a loud, turbine like whine you may have the opportunity (or luck) to only have to replace the bearings and not the bevel gear itself; If that was the case it would save you some labor time and a few hundred bucks in parts. I don't love the idea myself of putting on used parts (in terms of anything mechanical) but you have to do whatever is right for your wallet at the end of the day. Good luck with it , whatever it turns out to be and I would probably suggest not putting on any more miles until you get her checked out.

[draconarmy]

correct me if im wrong but part of your problem might be in your speed versus gear.  Your saying that at 45-55 your only in 3rd/4th gear.  by 40 mph you should be in fifth, both by personal experience and by the owners manual.

[Troll]

Right around that mileage, I got a noise that, at first, sounded like something rubbing inside the fender...I let it go after checking for that problem, and it eventually morphed into a bearing failure in the bevel drive....I wrote a post w/pictures about that. I replaced the bevel drive housing with one from a low mileage mean streak, and I haven't had any noises since. It's been about 3,000 miles..I'm not saying you have the same problem, but it might be worth your time to take it to the dealer and see what they say. Just a little aside... it's not that hard a job to do, and with some careful thought and patience, you don't have to take the engine out...but you do need to pull the swing arm.   

[vagabondjay]

good day to all..so her it what I have.. 01 drifter1500 85k miles I ride on a regular keep oil changed on a regular.. I hadn't rode in 3 or days because of the rain so on sunday I rode and as rode when I got into 3rd or 4th gear usually between 45 and 55 there is the reoccurring sound like if you running over speed bumps or like the sound when you was a kid and would put playing cards in the spoke of you bike. if i pull the clutch in a cost it really does it but only between 45-55 and only in 3rd or 4 th gear..anyone had this before?