VTX 1800C engine drone on decelleration

[HonkytonkVTX]

Done over 20k on my VTX now. over quite some time now, I've had a slight low noise resinating up from engine when decellerating. The sharper the decellerating, especially going down hill and slowing down using decelleration engine breaking, the loude it gets. The engine sounds sweet at idle speed and sweet when opening up throttle in neutral and sweet whilst accellerating up through gears and sweet when cruising and going up hills. It only does it when decellerating when in gear. Yesterday when out on a 100 mile run, it seemed even louder than ever and I noticed the engine seemed unusually hot. Oil levels are ok and I always check levels often. the noise now sounds like a 'shovel' being dragged across concrete whilst decellerating. Also, when I dump the clutch whilst riding leaving it in gear, there is a much quieter type of ' marbelles spinning in a glass' noise.
I can't fathom what it is and wondered if anyone else had had a similar issue. I've looked around on many VTX websites and my conclusion is it if its a clutch issue, it may be either a 'clutch bearing gone on the output shaft behind the clutch inside the engine case'. 'Rivets on the clutch basket letting go' or the '4 rubber clutch dampeners disintegrating behind the clutch plates'.

Alternatively, if its a gear box issue. it's more than likely the 'Bevel gear bearing wearing out. (I say thjis because some US VTX riders say if it is the Bevel gear bearing wearing out, it will make a lot of noise when decellerating and will get "as hot as hell", which in turn boils the oil in the slave cylinder)
Apparently this is a trate of all VTX's when they have done a reasonable mileage. They also state its not something anyone should try to fix at home, as special tools are required and the engine needs to be taken out to fix it. Some say some Honda dealerships have refused to do the work when presented with a box of bits and a half stripped engine. I can't help but feel this is going to cost me a wheel barrow full of cash to get fixed. Ive got to do it though, as just spent over £9k on the trike conversion.
Anyone got any thoughts or comments.
Sorry to bore you all with this,

cheers, Honkytonk

[Scrounger]

Sorry I can't help myself, but folks on these sites seem to be able to explain how to fix just about anything on a VTX. Don't know if you have tried them but many people on the sites are very knowledgable and willing to help. I have learned a ton of stuff from reading here:
VTX Owners Association
and
Honda VTX Forum | VTX 1300 & 1800
Hope you are able to get your answer.

[Chumbly]

I've owned my "X" since 2004, am active on this and two other forums, have friends with high mileage bikes, and never heard of this problem. Please keep us informed as to the outcome...I'm really interested.

[Dududad]

Honky Tonk? You have an 1800c, what trike kit did you install? I bought a Tri-Wing kit and they say it won't work on a C model. do you know why? It was on Craig's list and looks complete without instructions. Any help would be appreciated. Mine is a 2007 tribal 1800c........