1982 1100 Maxim grindin noise

I own a 1982 1100 maxim. I am trying to finish "restoring" it but i have a problem. As i try to get the bike to go, it will make a horrid grinding noise as the bike starts to move. I have torn the whole final drive, drive shaft, and the part where it attaches to the motor off. I have taken them down to the local honda/yamaha shop here in town and they said everything looks great. All the gears and other parts look brand new. But when i put the bike back together, it still continues to do the same thing. It also will get locked in first gear from time to time, and it requires me to release the clutch so it makes the noise again, then it will come out of gear. We have jacked the rear of the bike up into the air and ran it through all five gears and it does it in every gear. The mechaincs at the shop have no clue what to tear into next. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thak you.

 

Where exactly is the noise commimg from? Rear drive, middle gear box or in the engine. If you run the bike on the center stand you will sometimes hear a rattling sound from the middle drive gearbox if the engine is not running smoothly. Check oil level in middle and final drive and also look for metal shavings in each, Sounds like you may need to take the trans out and check the shift forks and also repair 1st and 2nd gear shift dogs. Look on the XS11.com website , they have detailed instructions on how to do it. My first suspection will be the middle drive gearbox, it may be going bad.

 

so what do i do if the middle drive gearbox is bad?

 

If it's a shafty bike, the middle gear drive (at least on my 81 750 seca) is two helical gears. There's a rather specific amount of lash they're supposed to be set at, at least for mine, so I would imagine that if theres too much or not enough lash, those gears would eat each other to pieces. I don't know of any way to check it without pulling the engine and splitting the cases though. Metal filings in the oil would be a good indication though.

 

The middle drive on the XJ1100 will come off with out removing the engine. I think there are 8 bolts that hold it to the engine. Take out those bolts then unbolt the drive shaft and it will come out. It should take 15 minutes to remove it. You can find them all day on EBAY from 10 to 20 $. The gearbox is the same on any XS/XJ1100.
Remember to put a drain pan under the bike before you unbolt it, there is oil in there. Be sure to refill the new one after you put it in.

 

This symptom makes me think that you have gear dogs banging together. Cause would be bent shift forks or a problem with the shift mechanism.

Bearing and gear problems cause more of a whine or moan than grinding sound.

Try putting the motorcycle in neutral and rotating the rear wheel by hand. If everything feels smooth you're probably OK up through the middle gear. That leaves transmission and clutch.

 

Here is one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHAFT-GE ... dZViewItem

 

Another good posibility MiCarl. But don't wory, the trans and shift drum will come out of the engine without removing it from the bike. You can find those on EBAy also.

 

ok so i took it down to the shop in town and they stripped everything off. they believe it is the starter clutch because when when the clutch damper assembly is in it, he can move the assembly all over in there. the mechanic says this requires splitting the cases to replace......... and i havent had any luck finding any parts..... thanks for the help guys