Hi, all!

I have a -99 XL1200C from which I have begun noticing this noise.
There's no noise when in neutral or when in gear and clutch disengaded (lever pulled in).
But when I'm in 1-3 gear, driving, I hear this oscillating, grinding noise.
It's proportional to motor rpm and doesn't vary with gear.
It seems to go away when the bike gets hot.
Does anyone have an idea of what might be causing this noise and should I be concerned?
I recently purchased the bike and I started to notice the noise after about 100 miles of driving.
Temperatures here's been dropping lately.

Many thanks, Jens

 

Check your primary chain tension, also check the tensioner for wear.

 

^^^This^^^

Also, check to make sure you have appropriate amount of primary oil.

If the noise continues, stop riding it until you've sourced the problem.

If it's something coming apart, it's better to get it early.

 

Thank you so much for your answers, guys!

Rode the bike yesterday and one thing that I had missed was that if I'm reving when standing still, in neutral or in gear (clutch lever pulled in), I also get the noise.
And again it disappeared after I rode it for a short while.

 

It sounds a lot like when this Virago decel at 1:15:

 

Keep in mind, your primary chain is spinning whether you are in gear or not, clutch engaged or not.

 

Thanks again!
Then, inspection of primary chain tension and lubrication seems to be a good start.

 

New primary oil (drain plug had some fouling) and primary chain tension inspected. Clutch adjusted. Noise's still there and this is what it sounds like.
https://streamable.com/0788a
My guess is that it's a worn bearing, but which one?
Or what do you think?

 

Just sounds like a primary chain too tight to me, maybe I'm missing something.

 

No, you may very well be right.
It measured within the free play tolerance for "Hot engine", but I wasn't sure if it was hot enough and probably weren't then.
I'll redo it.
Thank you so much for your answer!