Funky Clacky noise from clutch?

OK.

The SO and I rode 1132 miles last weekend in the Death Valley ride -

As we exited the freeway on our last offramp Sunday afternoon, (about mile 1130) I noticed that it seemed to be idling 'rough', almost like a miss. However, it still ran fine, strong, no missing at speed. I figured it might be due to the 97 degree ambient temps and the hard run that day two up.

Just a wee bit ago, I went out to the garage and started her up - the 'miss' or flat spot was still there, and because I wasn't wearing my helmet, ear plugs, etc., it seemed very pronounced.

I can feel it in the handlebars. A distinct metallic 'clack', like a ball peen hammer is whacking somewhere - it reminded me of a really loose timing chain in a 63 Ford Ranchero six cylinder I had in a past life.

Then I pulled in the clutch (disengage) and the noise stopped - smooth idle. Let the clutch out, (engage) and it started.

In, stop, Out, start.

Increase engine speed in neutral, noise stops. Vibration stops.

On the center stand, at idle, I engaged first gear. - the 'clacking' is even louder while in gear, and it's almost like the drive line seems to be magnifying the noise.

I upshifted (at idle) to second, then third. No increase in frequency. Downshifted - no change in frequency. Pull in the clutch - noise stops. Logically this tells me its in the clutch - not the gearbox, nor the drive train. Make sense?

The clutch seems to function fine - the pull and release and engagement seems normal -

Oil is fine, changed regularly. 11,450 miles. Iridiums installed at 8K.

This sound is pronounced enough that my wife, who has never ridden on the bike before, noticed it and commented on it when we hit the stop sign at the end of the offramp. "What's that funny noise?"

Any ideas? I'm thinking it's dealer time.

This is a new one... :dntknw:

twowheelnut said:

This is a new one... :dntknw:

Click to expand...

Well.....he does call his bike "wonky".....looks like he will be off to see the doctor....er, um....dealer to have this noise checked out .....

Bit of a puzzle, eh?

I'm going to be recording the bike today - but I do not have an online account that I can upload the file to for listening - if anyone out there has that ability, and would be willing to upload the file for forum access, please pm me with your information so I can send it to you.

TIA

Hal

I think it's premature clutch relief valve guide wear.......yup, that's prolly it.......miles seem about right for this ticker clutch

kaitsdad said:

Bit of a puzzle, eh?
I'm going to be recording the bike today - but I do not have an online account that I can upload the file to for listening - if anyone out there has that ability, and would be willing to upload the file for forum access, please pm me with your information so I can send it to you.

TIA

Hal

Click to expand...

Putfile.

Sorry to hear Wonky is ill Hal. When our bikes are down so are we so the best remidy is to get her fixed up soon and hope everything goes well...PM. <>< :good:

Hal,

Bummer. Let us know what you find out. Seems like that DV ride was hard on our bikes. Richard's rear shock is done (prob due to those whoopty dos), Don gas problem, your clutch. That is a quarter of the bikes on the run. Good luck on the repair.

Barry

PM sent with info.

My first guess? A loose inner clutch boss or pressure plate.

dcarver said:

PM sent with info.My first guess? A loose inner clutch boss or pressure plate.

Click to expand...

Specifics !!! I love it !!

Thanks, Don, I appreciate the info. I sure hope it's something simpler, or I may have a problem with the B2BI coming up in April.

I'll know more tomorrow once I spend some time on it - I need to eliminate some other possibilities related to my screwing around with it.

Just out of curiosity - has anyone out there seen 14.5 VDC coming out of their stator at 1500 rpms?

Update to my previous post, I had one bike where the inner push rod was clanking against the pressure plate due to a loose pressure plate. Disengaging the clutch would make the push rod forceably contact the plate thus quieting the noise

I'll check the 14.5 at 1.5 in an hour or so.

Maybe Wonky thinks it's a Ducati?

OK, bad joke, sorry to hear of this. I'll be waiting for good news.

GZ

edit 1 1 08 - removed - .wav file missing from putfile

Hal,

14.29 volts off the stator at cold idle (1200rpm) with all accessories off and low beam on my 2006 with 10K miles. Same voltage at 1500 rpm.

Barry

14.0 --> 14.1 as measured by Escort at fast idle, low beam, no accessories on.

Just listened to audio using hi quality head phones.. Dayum that sounds bad. Much deeper and 'hard part' sounding, hitting, rubbing.. Almost like a bearing has let go allowing out of balance rotating part(s) to be very unhappy.

I sure hope it's something simple, but based on the audio... :blink:

Then again, I'm the so called mekanic who struggles with gas caps of all things.. :glare:

Oooooh, dat's an ugly sound! Might as well put that warranty to work.

Through my el cheapo speakers it does sound 'heavy'. I would pull

the clutch cover, and pressure plate, to check the clutch hub bolt.

It's quick and easy to do.

kaitsdad said:

OK - here's a wav file of the noise -
Funny noise

This is a recording I just made from the front of the bike - it's on cold idle, and when it drops off of cold, the noise becomes very pronounced. You can first start to really hear it about 32 seconds in - then it gets worse.

Has anyone heard this before?

Click to expand...

How long does it take for you to ride over to YOC?

Better make the appointment ASAP before for the B2B ride.

OK, I admit, it's all my fault. I took my girlfriend on the Death Valley ride. She then meet Mrs. Kaitsdad. The girlfriend kept bragging to Mrs. Kaitsdad how absolutely bitchen the Harley Ultra Classic seat is as compared to the POS fjr pillion perch, and she did so in front of the FJR! Now the FJR is trying to be just like a Harley, all the way to the heavy clunk-whirr-clunk sound of a locomotive, er, uh, Harley. :blink: