Virago XV750 click from drive shaft end when accelerating ordecelerating

I'm getting a sort of tinny 'click' sound which appears to come from
the shaft drive end of the bike on acceleration and deceleration as I
close or open the throttle. I only noticed it for the first time
yesterday. The bike is new to me so it could be fairly normal for this
bike, I'm worried it could be something wrong with the drive shaft?
The obvious thing is to change the final drive oil which is the plan
so far but any thoughts/suggestions appreciated.

 

Maybe one of the nuts holding the universal joint yokes has loosened
up? Or one of the universals is damaged? Maybe the final drive damper
isn't functioning normally?

There sure are a lot of parts on the Mid Drive and Driveshaft parts
diagrams.

Go here and select what year model your XV750 is and study the
diagrams to see what it might be.

http://www.powersportspro.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/default.aspx

 

OR, better yet, pull the wheel off and check for drive spline wear, common
across all makes.

Maybe one of the nuts holding the universal joint yokes has loosened
up? Or one of the universals is damaged? Maybe the final drive damper
isn't functioning normally?

There sure are a lot of parts on the Mid Drive and Driveshaft parts
diagrams.

Go here and select what year model your XV750 is and study the
diagrams to see what it might be.

http://www.powersportspro.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/default.aspx

 

Better advice. Jap shafty drive systems don't tend to fail.

I'd also check the rear wheel bearings.

 

There will be a torque/shock absorber in there y'know.
Do check for any 'slop` in the drive by putting on the
center stand and hand turning that rear wheel while in gear.