Sandstorm in my gearbox?

[nerfherder]

Hi, everyone,

I just joined the forum.  I have had a 1996 GS for a few years, mostly for short recreational rides.  But now I am considering using it for commuting, which is about an hour one way.

I just took the GS out of storage last weekend.  When I move my bike with the engine off and in neutral, I hear a sound that I can only describe as sand being rubbed together.  Also, when I changed the oil, there was some foamy stuff on the top of the oil.

Everything seems to run fine.  Do I have to worry about taking hour long trips?  Should I get this sound checked out?

Thanks for any advice.

[Dom]

The foamy stuff sounds like water in the oil, was it white and creamy?  If yes then that's what it was...never a good thing.  Was it stored in a cool dry place?  I'd start with an oil change.

[scratch]

a sound that I can only describe as sand being rubbed together.

Maybe just the chain dragging on the swingarm?

[vfrocket]

sometimes old brake pads will drag on the rotors if they are rusty.  sounds like metal being sanded lightly.

[nerfherder]

Yeah, I suspected that foam was water.  The bike was stored covered in a basement garage, so it was cool, but not particularly dry because of seepage.  I usually stuff some old rags in the air intake and exhaust, but I was lazy this year

Anyway, I changed the oil.  I will check the chain and the brakes this weekend.  I was just worried I was hearing the gearbox.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.