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i have a '99 vstar 650 classic which has a severe ( and loud!!) whine noise in 5th gear, and only in that gear. would someone know what the cause is and the fix?

The whine is coming from the pinion gear bearing in your shaft drive housing. Have replaced several due to this. Check the mating service of the shaft housing and mount housing for signs of a oil leak. Get it checked out ASAP. The bearing .literally comes apart and all the debri is hanging out in the housing. Or, drain your shaft oil and look at the magnet on the drain plug. Should be full of ground metal. Hope this response was not too late.

Or it is the middle drive gear nut that has come loose. Where the u-joint bolts to the output shaft of the engine.