I have a grinding noise coming from what sounds like the left rear side of my 2003 VL1500 but cant see anything that might cause it

A grinding noise when you put the motorcycle into gear and it doesn't move could indicate several issues with the final drive on your Suzuki Intruder. Some possible causes are:

1. Worn or damaged clutch: The clutch may not be engaging properly, preventing power from reaching the rear wheel. A worn or damaged clutch can cause a grinding noise when you try to shift into gear.
2. Faulty gear: The gears inside the final drive may be worn or damaged, preventing them from meshing together properly. This can cause a grinding noise when you try to shift into gear.
3. Low or contaminated gear oil: Low or contaminated gear oil can cause excessive wear on the gears inside the final drive, leading to a grinding noise and reduced performance.
4. Failed final drive: A failed final drive can cause a grinding noise and prevent power from reaching the rear wheel.

If you are not familiar with motorcycle repair, it is recommended to take the bike to a qualified mechanic to diagnose and fix the issue.

possible cause worn drive shaft rear wheel hub rubbers
look at your drive shaft rubbers located in the rear wheel hub
if the rubber is worn
it could make it shunt forward as the rubbers engage with the alloy locators
if left can also damage your rear hub

A grinding noise suggests a bearing at fault or perhaps worn pads on the brake rotor.

However, the clunking noise you mention could also point to a problem with the drive shaft or differential.

The first thing you should do is to get under the vehicle and try twisting the propshaft back and forth. If there's any movement this points towards a worn universal joint on the propshaft. A worn universal joint can cause a clunking noise - particularly when pulling away. The vibration caused by a worn universal joint can also damage bearings in the differential and also to the splined ends of the axle shaft.

You're also going to have to remove the wheel from where the noise comes from and examine the end of the axle shaft/bearing.

The link below is of images of the rear axle:

land rover discovery rear axle Google Search

Clicking Noise From Left Front Tire Area - F150online Forums

www.f150online.com/.../47713-clicking-noise-left-front-tire-area.html

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Sounds like left front loose wheel bearing knocking ABS sensor out of range causing ABS light to come on and causing grind noise at same location. Grinding noise is probably rotor rubbing on calipar.

This due to either a worn wheel bearing or a worn front drive arm.

The most common cause of a grinding noise when turning is a worn front wheel bearing. What happens is that the weight of the car is shifted on to that wheel as you make the turn causing the worn bearing to make a grinding noise.

DRIVE-SHAFT-RUBBER-GAITOR split..

The belt and pulleys are probably not the cause with the sound you are describing. To me it sounds more mechanical when you say grinding. Have you checked the rear dif?

Possible causes:

a) a brake disc shield is too close to the disc, and it's coming into contact in the circumstances you outline

b) pebbles stuck between the disc shield and the disk

c) dried out wheel bearings

d) worn Universal Joints in the drive shafts

e) worn A/C pump

f) worn alternator

g) worn water pump

Is the noise still present above 15 miles an hour and past 1500 rpm when the clutch is disengaged (i.e. gearbox in neutral?). The answer to this question may help you to pinpoint the source. I know it's stating the obvious but the fact that you're hearing a grinding sound means it's caused by something that is moving relative to something else. Again this should help narrow down the cause.

How old are the bearings, milage- and age-wise? It probably won't hurt to replace 'em, anyways. There are only a few things at the rear wheel that would cause a scraping sound: wheel bearings, final drive parts rubbing on the rim or swingarm or the braking hardware. Give each of those a very good checking.