Clutch Judder

[pitbull]

I've always had a bit of a judder when slipping the clutch on my Valk and it's always been a bit aggressive when released. Gear changing is never smooth and most of the time I get a clunk when I release the clutch.
If I pull away very quickly I get a loud groan coming from the clutch area of the motor.

On a recent road trip, I was in some slow moving stop/start traffic going up a hill. I was fully loaded with camping gear, towing my trailer and with a pillion.
At one stage I pulled the clutch lever into the bars and there was a loud rattling coming from the motor which disappeared if I released the lever half an inch, but the rattle came back if I pulled the  lever back in.
I also noticed the biting point was getting further from the bars.

I couldn't stop where I was but once traffic was flowing the issue disappeared. We did over 2500 miles on our roadtrip and had no more issues with the clutch.

As we were returning to the cross Channel Ferry to the UK I had a knock coming from the back wheel, not only could you hear it you could feel it as well.
After stopping to show our passports the noise went and hasn't been heard since.

Strange things the Valks.

Any ideas?

[Michvalk]

I would pull the rear and inspect for the knocking. Likely pinion cup and driveshaft. Could also be the universal joint in the driveshaft. The clutch could be loosing the rivits, which is a common problem from heavy use. May need to pull that down as well, as I know of no other way to inspect. There  is one other thing you could check. The actuator for the clutch can dry out and cause noise. Usually greasing will stop the noise. Just remove the clutch actuator, and there is a pin from the actuator that needs a small amount of grease. These things have been discussed at length on the tech board, and a quick search will give you gobs of info on each problem. Hope this helps

[gordonv]

Also, first thing to do with any item that uses fluid (brake, clutch, engine, etc.) is to change it. Inexpensive, and doesn't take too much time.

If the problem goes away, the easiest fix you can do. If it doesn't, then you need to big further into the issue, like already mentioned.

Also check for wear on the clutch lever, insure that it is actuating all the way it can/should.

[Bigun]

Also, first thing to do with any item that uses fluid (brake, clutch, engine, etc.) is to change it. Inexpensive, and doesn't take too much time.

If the problem goes away, the easiest fix you can do. If it doesn't, then you need to big further into the issue, like already mentioned.

Also check for wear on the clutch lever, insure that it is actuating all the way it can/should.

I agree bleed out the clutch add new Dot 4 and go. See if that helps.

[Punisher]

From your Avatar it appears you have a 97 Red/White Valk.    This part of your descripton:

"I also noticed the biting point was getting further from the bars."

...has me thinking it might be the rivets in the damper plate.   The 97/98 models seem to have had more problems with that than most others (perhaps just cause they are the oldest).   I had the same problem with my 98, perfect fluid and lever.   Pulled the clutch and none of the rivets were broken/gone but they were all notched.  I could rotate the two pieces of the damper plate probably near a quarter inch.   Just a matter of time before rivets started shearing off.    The rest of my clutch pack was perfect so just replaced the damper plate (for about $40 I think at the time).   Wasn't that big a job really and there is plenty of information on how to do it without special tools right here on the board.

It is about $50 US now, #6 in this diagram:

http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=2552057&category=Motorcycles&make=Honda&year=1997&fveh=132667

You may also need a new cover gasket if yours gets torn up getting the cover off.

But like others said here, check the simple stuff first.   If your fluid is old and dark, change it.  If your lever bushing is worn or the pin that it presses against is worn, replace'em.

Good luck