I have a 1999 Shadow with 10,500 miles. After stopping for fuel the other day I noticed a serious pecking coming from the rear cylinder head area. Never before has this occured. Seems as though it only starts to happen under load. If I let her sit and just run doing nothing before the first initial run after cooling down nothing happens. As soon as you pull away and hit 2nd there it is... After it starts it does not stop, until the engine sits and cools... Changed fluids early thinking this would change things. It has not. Anyone?

 

long shot, but try tightening the exhaust header. Granted this is the opposite of what usually happens but weird things go on when the metal expands

 

I will try.

 

Valves need adjusted?

 

Ok so I took the cover off the lower left side of the bike yesterday. After listening to the noise more closely I realized it was lower than the head. So while I had the cover off I was looking down and noticed the shifter shaft pecking in an out. Whwn I pulled the shaft out and held it the pecking stopped. So know I have the source. Now I need the remedy.

 

Well, seems there is a plunger inside the chrome cover that is held in place by a bump on the cover. If that bump or the bump on the plunger wear... Well, then the shifter shaft pecks in and out makinig a killer annoying vibration and sound. So $600.00 later and a new plunger, cover, seals, and oil I should be good to go. Find out in a week.

 

Well, new plunger and cover $660.00 no noise priceless... Well, almost. So I get the bike back with a nice oil leak. Then I was riding to work today 65 miles from home and she gets stuck in 4th gear. I cannot move the lever to save my life. Now I have to run back down tonight and trailer her back to the garage. Can't image what they did in there that would have caused this to happen...