Transmission whine

[coonfoot]

Thanks for all the useful tips. I picked up a pretty decent 86 with 29k miles on her. First thing I did was replace the igniter with an ebay one for $129, changed plugs, and ran some seafoam through 2nd tank of gas. Still cold blooded when first started but does seem better. I have about 30 miles each way to work on the freeway. My only gripe is that transmission whine over 70mph. I did read about adjusting the front gears. Should I attempt it? Can I mess anything up because I don't really know what it is exactly I'm doing? Wanting to go on a longer road trip soon and don't want to wear earplugs the whole time. Thanks.

[Tom(North Alabama)]

Hi,
Have owned 3 Voyager II's over the last ten years.
Only 1, the current '02 had the whining problem. You first need to check the torque on the rear axle nut, if it is way to tight loosening it will help, next change the rear fluid, that might also help. Ultimately for me, I bought a used rear chunk, that fixed the problem.

Don't believe I have ever heard of a Voyager transmission whining

[coonfoot]

Thanks. The guy I bought it from had just had the rear tire replaced. He said the shop changed the final drive oil too. I will check the torque on the nut tho. I just got home from work and was outrunning some rain moving in. I was up to 85 a couple times, whine/howl still there just changes pitch as speed increases. I really like the bike and just purrs along effortlessly on the freeway. Just would like to lessen this noise if possible.

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Of the seven I've owned , only two had the whine. It is caused by the straight cut gears. It is louder in some.

KB

[suzib6sw]

Certainly the straight cut of the final drive gear will cause a whine, typically at 55 though.
Having said that, I have used Mobile 1 Sythentic gear oil 75W-90 in my final drive and the whine basically went away.
Originally, with the '94 I had dunlop 491 elite 2's which did whine more when in a corner.. Replacing the final drive oil and fitting the E3 on the '94 and the Full bore USA on the '86, cured the issue ..

That, or turn up the radio

Cheers..
Pete

[coonfoot]

Okay. Thanks guys. I will try changing the oil and going synthetic on the final drive, and check nut torque first before fiddling around with the front gear adjustments. Just sounds like the noise is coming more from the front of the engine and traveling up the fairing to my ears. He had just put a new E2 on the rear and I just ordered a new E2 for the front to match. It's pretty worn out. Sounds like a lot of folks are switching to the E3's. Probably next time around.

[metric]

On my 02 I have a whine from 65 to 70 mph under 65 mph and over 70 mph it's no whine, I have Mobile1 synt. oil in the final drive and E3 front and back but is not making any deference...
I think it comes from the transmission/engine not from the final drive gears.

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Yes it does , it is the straight cut (transmission) gears. The sound it there, some louder than others. Not sure why this started to turn into a rear drive synthetic oil thread, but they may help with some of the road noise and the tires do help with some road noise, but the transmission whine is right below and echos through the fairing. Not too bad when considering some of the other motorcycles I've owned and the whine of gear driven cams(although that is music to my ears ).

KB

[96desertXII]

Mine with 90K is pretty "whinny" I just live with it and turn the radio up.