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Well I changed the oil last night when I got home. I spread some of the oil on white paper and looked for metal. There was none that I could see. I don't know if the drain plug is magnetic, but there was no metal on the plug either. The oil was dark but consistent with no slugde present in the bottom of the drip pan after sitting for several hours. From what I could see and feel of the main gear the edges were still sharp with no wear evident, as would be expected after only 5300 miles. Not sure what that noise is now. I will check the new oil in about 500 miles to see if it is getting discolorred. I heard the tap sound a couple of times this morning but didn't hear it again by the time I got into town at work, about 1/2 hour ride. It's weird because I only hear it when taking off in 1st gear and it's only two or three raps then nothing. And it's not that loud, you kinda have to be listening for it. I guess I'll just wait to see if it gets worse for now and cross my fingers it's not serious.

I'll go looking for that Kawasaki bulletin on the final drive noises. Was there a fix to the problem?

Thanks for the input! Greatly appreciated!

Pete

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Posted by 49Reo

- August 20, 2013, 00:31:03 AM

Troll, is this bevel gear failure a common issue on Drifters/vulcans? Reason I ask is, I have not heard of it before. A friend of mine has put many thousands of miles on his Nomad, and no issues. Just wondering if this is something to be on the lookout for. I would think that there should be some meta; in the oil drain plug if it is starting to fail?

Posted by Troll

- August 19, 2013, 12:55:53 PM

I'm not saying that this is the beginning of the same problem I currently am dealing with, but....and there is a Kawasaki bulletin about final drive noises and a washer or something that causes it. I hope you are not experiencing the beginning of a failed bevel drive bearing.

Posted by nhtrikes

- August 19, 2013, 12:10:59 PM

Has anyone had issues with final drive. It started a couple of weeks ago when I noticed a little man rapping(metal tapping) a few times coming from my rear left side upon release of the clutch in 1st gear. Makes no difference if I accelerate fast or slow. It only rapped a few times then stopped and only in 1st gear and not every time, sporadic. Last week I noticed it rapped a few more times longer than usual and also that same metal tapping sound started appearing in 2nd gear as well before dissappearing. It seemed to go away as the bike warmed up. With head down near the right side fuel tank and accelerating it is definitely coming from the right rear area.

I checked the tire, secure, caliper, secure, rear fender, secure, nothing seemed to be loose. Then I checked the oil level in final drive and it was full, problem is it was medium to dark gray, ie. fine metal particulate mixed in with oil. I am going to change my oil tonight to a very high grade synthetic hypoid oil (SAE 90W) as per manual. Will run for a few days and change oil again to see if it stops and if the second oil change also shows signs of metal. Bought it with 2,800 miles on it and I now have 5,300 which has all been put on since May. Not sure why I would be having a problem all of a sudden. Any idea? Thanks for all your help!!!!

Pete

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