Preamble - I've had my GSA for almost a full year - I like to do all my own work wherever possible (yes, I follow guidance rather than winging it, no worries!) and while coming to grips with some of this particular GS's foibles (winglets could do with replacing but servicable, one grip needs replacing as original is kept together with literal foam tape....) I'm at a bit of an impasse with this one
So in Oct' last year, as it needed doing and I didn't want to do more than ride it home when I bought it, I needed to replace the drive boots - as both looked worse than a WW2 Gas Mask and you'd find more life in an Egyptian Mummy's social calendar if you catch my dfirt. Bought some nice red ones to go with the colour of the bike, whipped the FD off while at it just to get in properly to inspect, clean and appropriately lube up, as they should be. All went well, shaft is looking as good as the U.S based private eye namesake, etc.
Replaced FD oil while at it, because "why not" and peace of mind - also added a magnetic sump plug to both FD and engine oil drain because again, why not.
Now I've not had any issues since - and while (as expected) for a 15 y/o ride she has some corrosion going on so there was a the odd flake here/there, nothing worth worrying about which can't be fixed with some wire rubbing, sandpaper scrubbing and a lick of Hammerite (except the fuel strip which I'll come to sort another time as currently I just run on the odometer to know when to top up again).
Now to the problem: - I found out this Monday on a commute that things were categorically not OK in GS-land, noticed I could hear an odd sort of whirring/buzzing drone noise halfway to work, which as I got faster increased in pitch. I did pull over to do a visual but nothing stuck out and I've gotten used to some noises enough to not panic (i.e bumps and the centre stand clonking). I checked for wheel play, pondereed on it being an alternator belt issue (promptly ordered two, one to replace, one as spare) and plan to swap this out in the coming ~week when they arrive.
Thought nothing more on it until I was nearly home, as while the sound persisted, I then in the last 2 miles noticed "notchiness" to lower speeds and an unimstakably mechanical, physical "clonking" noise when engaging and loosening on/off the clutch and things just felt off (in conjunction with the still-present noise from earlier).
I whipped off the rear wheel, inspected calipers in case it was brake-related (not as far as I could tell, but cleaned down anyway and noted I'll also swap brake pads out in the next week anyway as a precuation and further peace of mind as they'll want doing by the next MOT) - but the big shocker was when I got to wondering about the FD.
I popped the ABS sensor for air, loosened the sump and.....no oil. I hadn't noticed any leakage previously (and this was while leaving her stationary for a week or two at times) and I have a tarmac forecourt - so while I like to think I'd have noticed it, given I like to give her a scrub and good hosing down it's entirely possible I violated the scene of the crime, so to speak.
Regardless, utterly beyond me how/when/where this happened - whether this was just a "slow leak" somehow, I don't know, as the new plug certainly didn't show signs of leaking when I swapped it out, it includes an o-ring to seal.....so maybe I've just got a secret, silent dribbler of a FD?
I also then found a collection of what was evidently metallic residue/collection on the magnetic plug and ABS sensor - not tons, but roughly 1-2mm of it on both, like a thin layer of metallic paint or somesuch - which I looked at like it was Satan's own glitter and frankly worried the sh*t out of me.
So I promptly flushed it out with some new oil, checked the shaft (all fine, seated properly) and cleaned/re-lubed it for good measure, refilled the oil and gave a test ride - much smoother, but there's still this other whining, based-on-speed noise still somewhat present which I've since decided sounds like it's from the front end of the bike - but the whole thing has me worried.
.....To the point I want to source or work out, at least, what I can do for my FD as far as replacement goes.
Having done some research, I know I need to find a matching ratio unit (I would rather, being frank, not balls about with changing ratio anyway) so that's fine - my query, however, is on if anyone knows if I have to stick to the K7 part I currently have (Reads as "K7/1 7712559-02") which goes with that year/model/period of bike (up to 2014 I think I've seen?), or if I can go for a newer one yet - which as a bonus should also have nice luxuries such as the drain, etc.
I need to whip the wheel off yet again to determine my own ratio (haven't yet been able to see as the stamp must be behind the wheel and like a twit I didn't check at the time I had the wheel off etc) - but I would absolutely love to know if A) I should even be riding it given I seem to have "gotten away with it" in terms of all bar the hopefully-just-belt-whinging noise and B) if replacing, what to look out for with a replacement in terms of compatability.
I've seen some good potential ones going for anything from ~£200 or so, some double/triple that (but unless there's a damn good reason why and I'm missing it I'll stick to what I know).
Absolutely peeved given I was planning on nipping on the ferry next week to hit France, but I'd rather say sod it, play it safe and see what the experienced noggins here come back with before I get 10ft outside Calais only to pull a stunt Tony Hawk would be proud of, but both unintentionally and at the cost of my damn bike which I've rather gotten fond of and bonded with blood, sweat, tears and copious amounts of both road tar and grease.
