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.
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.
Last edited by a moderator:
.....
