whining growling noise when letting off throttle
 

I have a 2004 nomadfi, 40 miles from home today after leaving for my memorial day 5 day ride. My bike started whining or rubbing when letting off the throttle. I have determined it is coming from the gears on the left side of the bike. It is not my driveshaft or final gear oil level. It is coming from behind the engine cover. I have seen a few post with similar symptoms, but no one has come back and said what it turned out to be. Is there a way to get to the transmission gears without pulling the engine. Help please, Sturgis is 8 weeks away!

whining growling noise when letting off throttle
 

I have a 99 nomad doing the same thing, sounds like chain back lash coming from left side cover area. Just installed timing chain extenders, but did not fix the noise. hope somone can help us!!

whining growling when letting off throttle
 

it turned out to be my front bevel gear. The bearing was totally shagged.1/3 of the bearings had been chewed up and spit into the gear. I replaced the entire bevel gear assembly, rather than just the bearing. The gear assembly set me back about 1600.00, at my local kawasaki dealer. That is just the parts, a very good friend and mechanic did the work for me, without removing the engine. the manual says the engine must be removed, to get the bevel box off, but you are able to remove it, however it is tight. I don't know if your 99 is shaft drive like my o4 or not, but that is what it turned out to be on my bike. If you have any more questions or issues, I will try to help.
PBRIDER

ouch, but thanks for the outcome pbrider and the learning curve.

Replaced drive shaft, u-joint was just about to fall out!! Lucky i found it before it locked up my back wheel. I will try to post pics later this week. I can not believe that i did not have a bad vibration when riding.

How many miles are on these rides????