Why is my motor making a whirling noise?

[eddie500]

OK, today my motor started to make this rather loud whirling noise.
This is a GS 500e 1991, with about 22000 miles.

It does it when I go over maybe 3K RPM. It will do it both in Neutral and when I drive.. just as long as I'm over about 3K RPM.

My bike drives the same, same power and all.. just this loud whirling noise.  What can it be?  Should I not drive the bike?

I'm no expert on internal engine components but the only thing that spins after a few thousand RPM's, is either the oil pump, battery charger (forgot exact name).

Maybe this is a common problem on the GS500. SO what could this noise come from? Am I looking at a costly repair here?

Desperate for advice, and thanks who can offer.

[goat]

Can you elaborate on the "whirling" noise?

Could be Goat's syndrome, but I'm not sure. Thats when your alternator rotor disintegrates. Engine rebuild or replacement is a good idea after that happens, but don't get too worried yet. I could be wrong.

Next time you change your oil, watch for chunks that aren't supposed to be there. When I got Goat's syndrome, there weren't many pieces of the rotor in the oil since most of them were caught in the engine but there were a few. If you see chunks, take off the left case cover while you have the oil out. Just make sure that you have a new gasket and something to remove the old one with incase everything is intact.

[eddie500]

Its hard to really describe. I'd say it sounds a bit metaly. At idle I hear nothing, but after maybe 3K RPM and up it will sound like a chattery whirly sound.

IT is very constant, always does it now hot or cold engine..

[dgyver]

It is possible that there is something vibrating, like the tank against the frame. This is more like a buzzing sound though.