[ernie12b]

I like the sound of my stock exhaust. I would like it a bit louder but that will have to wait. I was wondering if anyone knows how to make that tweet tweet high pitched shaft drive sound go away without removing the shaft drive.

 

[byggd]

Mine doesn't have that noise issue. Has the fluid level been checked?

 

[Acidbath666]

Yeah I thought the whole point of a shaft was that it was quieter and less maintenance? Or maybe just less maintenance.

 

[93gc40]

If you are getting a tweet from the shaft. it is either out of oil and might have a bad u-joing or bearing.

 

[83vt500]

x2 my shaft is VERY quiet. Something isn't right. check your fluid (i'd just replace it to see if it makes a difference) make sure you use hypoid oil....castrol makes some. And check u-joints.

are you sure it's not your rear brakes? mine squeek when coming to a stop. usually after the bike sits over night. after riding a while they stop. could be they're getting worn out/ are worn out.

 

[93gc40]

Yeah I thought the whole point of a shaft was that it was quieter and less maintenance? Or maybe just less maintenance.

They are quieter if they are maintained. As you said, they are LESS maintenance. They are NOT maintenance FREE, nothing on the bike is. You have to service and replace the shaft drive LESS often than you do with a chain or belt,but it still requires some servicing.

 

[CrazyDave]

Gotta echo what everyone else is saying. I don't hear anything coming from my shaft drive..nice and quiet.

 

[Old Jeff]

Every other 3k oil change, change the final drive lube. Service level calls for a 8k change.

Do it.

 

[Spool]

A tweet or a squeak certainly sounds like a u-joint going bad. That's the way they sound in a car when they start to go anyways. Easy repair if they're anything like car u-joints.

 

[nuncles]

Bearings in the rear end going bad?

 

[crose]

Got to agree with the others. Mine is silent. Sounds like you might want to find out what's going on before it leaves you stranded somewhere.

 

[gat803]

Just an FYI to clarify a couple of points.
There is only one (1) universal joint in a Shadow shaft drive system. It's up by the swing arm pivot.
There is no oil in the drive shaft or U joint space. The oil is in and around the ring and pinion gears in the rear wheel hub.

Without hearing the noise, I have to say it could be any number of things. Brakes doing something bad, wheel bearings, shocks, rear end gears, hub pins, swing arm bearings, there is probably something else but that's all I can think of at the moment.

Start with the easiest to check first. Gear oil, brakes, bearings, and then U joint. Getting at the U joint, while not extremely difficult, is a pain in the azz.

 

[ernie12b]

i filled the oil in the hub but the drain plug is frozen and i can't drain it. i was planning to get a small siphon to change the oil. i can't hear it over 20 miles an hour. i have heard other bikes make the same sound. it is not the brakes it is def the shaft drive.

 

[markspike]

My shaft squeals like Ned Beatty - is that wrong?

 

[Nehalem Dave]

Timing of the chirp is a clue as to location. Five or six chirps per wheel revolution (I dont know the actual ratio) points to the U joint. Once per wheel rev or continuous points to an axle or shaft tail bearing.

 

[83vt500]

i filled the oil in the hub but the drain plug is frozen and i can't drain it. i was planning to get a small siphon to change the oil. i can't hear it over 20 miles an hour. i have heard other bikes make the same sound. it is not the brakes it is def the shaft drive.

that stinks that it's frozen, try some PB blaster and a propane torch. don't heat up the aluminum too much, just enough to break it free. don't crank too hard or you risk snapping the aluminum. take your time and use GENTLE pressure. but don't be too scared of it either. you'll get it out.

 

[GPSchmidt]

I've noticed when I pull in my clutch I hear an oscillating rubbing sound. Not sure if it's the brakes or what.

 

[83vt500]

I've noticed when I pull in my clutch I hear an oscillating rubbing sound. Not sure if it's the brakes or what.

probably the brakes, they always have some small friction against the rotor/drum. my clutch makes noise when the bike is cold and i'm stopped. These old bikes tend to have their moans and groans lol.