Latest on mystery clutch noise

[DaShine]

While out and about on my 97 Valk on this beautiful Arizona day I was really tuning into the intermittent clutch noise I have been writing about. It seems that the noise is caused by something that is spinning because when it occurs and I pull the clutch lever in just a few millimeters I hear it stop and can feel it stop. When I am riding in 1st or 2nd and the noise is happening if I fully pull the clutch in (downshifting) I get a "chirp" as this action is stopping the spinning of whatever it is. Again, this is an infrequent happening but from day 1 when I got the bike I heard that "chirp" every now and then when pulling in the clutch fully. Don't know if this sheds any light on what the problem could be but I thought I would post it

[Hook#3287]

Your problem sounds like it could be the clutch damper plate going.

Inspection is what I'd do.

[Valkorado]

Yes, that's the noise.  Definitely something spinning.  It's getting worse on my bike, and more frequent.  I forgot to mention the chirp!  Hoping we get this figured out.

[F6Dave]

If you pull the clutch lever in and FEEL it hit a hard stop part way through it's travel, that is almost certainly sheared rivets in the damper plate.  The problem goes away after the rivet gets thrown out of the clutch pack, but comes back when the next rivet shears.  With fewer and fewer rivets this cycle continues.

[DaShine]

No hard spot half way when pulling in the clutch. The integrity of the clutch function is flawless EXECPT for that crazy noise.

[F6Dave]

That probably rules out the rivets.

[Rio Wil]

There is a chance its the clutch lifter rod, item 14 below that is dry.

http://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/2001-honda-valkyrie-interstate-gl1500cf/o/m151312#sch307740

Access to the rod (see below link) is to pull the clutch slave cylinder off.....no need to remove the clutch cover. The rod goes through item 14-15 and seats in item 6. Item 6 is what moves when the clutch lever is pulled thus pushing the lifter rod into the clutch pack to engage the clutch.

http://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/2001-honda-valkyrie-interstate-gl1500cf/o/m151312#sch305733

[Hook#3287]

It seems that the noise is caused by something that is spinning because when it occurs and I pull the clutch lever in just a few millimeters I hear it stop and can feel it stop.

This statement makes me feel it's not the clutch lifter rod.

I'm thinking all damper plates don't fail exactly the same way, so the symptoms will vary.  When mine did, it went south all at once.

You're not going to know for sure until you start taking things apart.

Pulling the clutch cover is relatively easy and you could inspect for pieces of rivets, but unfortunately, if you don't find any, that doesn't mean the plate has not failed.

If I was in your position, I would inspect the lifter rod and slave, if all looks good there, then move on to the clutch itself.