Clutch pushrod noise?

[deadwood]

About halfway into my recent trip to the Arctic Circle I noticed a new noise. With the clutch out in neutral I got a “whirring” noise. Pull the clutch in and it goes away. I did not notice it with the bike in gear but the general going down the road noises may mask it

Searching here it seems like it may be the clutch pushrod needing some lubricant. Anybody had any experience with other sources of this noise?

[Michvalk]

I think the noise you are hearing is the normal sound of the Valk transmission. They have a tendency to turn inside when in nuetral, and you can hear the sound. Mine does that, and many others have reported the same. I don't think you have anything to worry about with that noise.

[deadwood]

Yea, but it wasn't there before. It just started.

[Ricky-D]

Yea, but it wasn't there before. It just started.

Your mind is playing tricks on you!

The push rod will not do what you describe.

Change oil and the noise will be attenuated, some!

***

[Michvalk]

It might be more noticeable now after the miles you have put on. I kind of agree with Ricky-D in that it might want a different oil. Mine did quiet down some after I switched to synthetic oil. I wouldn't change brands of oil on a long trip like you are having. But fresh oil and filter, maybe in a heaver grade might be in order. Also believe that the sound you are hearing would NOT come from the clutch rod. The clutch rod is fairly easy to grease for your peace of mind, but, I still don't think that is where the sound is coming from. May be you are paying closer attention to the sounds coming from your bike, and if it is making a bit more noise than usual, you hear it. I still maintain the sound you are hearing is a normal sound for a Valk. She may be telling you how much She is enjoying the trip. Of course, my opinion is only worth what you paid for it. Relax and enjoy your trip

[Thunderbolt]

in the past.  I don't have personal experience with it, so will leave further advice to someone who has.

[deadwood]

I have considered it might be a case of "automatic rough".  Use to happen to me when I flew single engine planes out in the ocean. As soon as I got out of sight of land I would start "hearing" an engine noise I never heard before.

I have Mobil 1 15W-50 in it now which has 9000 miles on it (I know its a little overdue but I just got home from the trip).  I'll change to 20W-50 and see what happens.

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

[RP#62]

My Tourer started doing that about 8 years ago.  It would sound like birds chirping.  Before I could get set up to lube the clutch pushrod, it went away and never came back.

Roger that on the auto rough.  I did the first leg of my student cross country from Key West direct to Naples.  There's a period of about 20 minutes when you are completely out of sight of land.  I had one of those "what was I thinking" moments.
-RP

[dennis_obryan1965@msn.com]

I have a 97 Tour 80,000 miles making the same "Bird Chirping" noise. I also think it is coming from my clutch because when I pull the clutch in it stops. I can also notice it at slow speeds. Also when I pull the clutch in as I am down shifting to stop it makes a louder skweaking  noise and the goes into the bird chirping noise.

This all started after I changed oil using Rotela 15-40.
Might it also help to change clutch fluid? Mine is dark brown looking. And if changing oil is recommended where can I get information to do this.

[Thunderbolt]

If your clutch fluid is brown, you probably should change it.   Water is absorbed into the fluid over time and you would do well to change it at least every other year or when it turns brown.
Here is a link to a shoptalk article that should help you get started.
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/carlbrakeandclutch.htm