Mystery clutch noise

[DaShine]

I have an intermittent noise in neutral or 1st gear. It sounds like a throwout bearing and when I pull in the clutch lever 1/4" (not enough to engage the clutch) it totally stops.???? Is there and adjustment for the clutch that is adjusted too far out perhaps? Any help appreciated.

Thanks for the responses! I should have stated "(not enough to disengage the clutch)". My point is that when I just slightly pull in the clutch lever the noise stops and when I let it go it starts again. Strange thing is that this is not a constant occurrence. Thanks for the info that there is no clutch adjustment. I will do further investigating and observations as I just got this 97 Valk. It is my 2nd one and I never heard that noise before.

[Chrisj CMA]

Your explanation is confusing, but these clutches make some noise in neutral clutch out

[Itinifni]

I was also confused by "not enough to engage the clutch". I thing the OP is stating the noise is present only when the clutch is engaged (lever released).

My Valk, like every bike and some cars I've owned exhibits a bit of rattle noise under those conditions. On the bikes it's a combination of clutch basket rattle and gear roll-over noise. It goes away when you diss-engage the clutch because the input shaft and driven plates in the clutch are no longer turning (over simplified explanation).
Most noticeable in neutral but you may be able to hear it in first gear if you're idling along under light load.

If that is in fact the noise you're hearing it is normal and no reason to worry, no harm being done. There's no adjustment that will change it but you may want to confirm you're using the correct weight oil, too thin may contribute slightly to the noise.

Matt

[Ricky-D]

Hydraulic clutch has no adjustment.

***

[indybobm]

Minor point, but the clutch is 'disengaged' when the lever is released. It is 'engaged' when the lever is in.
using the wrong terms just adds to the confusion factor

[DaShine]

Thanks for the responses! I should have stated "(not enough to disengage the clutch)". My point is that when I just slightly pull in the clutch lever the noise stops and when I let it go it starts again. Strange thing is that this is not a constant occurrence. Thanks for the info that there is no clutch adjustment. I will do further investigating and observations as I just got this 97 Valk. It is my 2nd one and I never heard that noise before.

[Valkorado]

Thanks for the responses! I should have stated "(not enough to disengage the clutch)". My point is that when I just slightly pull in the clutch lever the noise stops and when I let it go it starts again. Strange thing is that this is not a constant occurrence. Thanks for the info that there is no clutch adjustment. I will do further investigating and observations as I just got this 97 Valk. It is my 2nd one and I never heard that noise before.

Same ongoing clutch problem on my 97 Tourer.  

Yes, that mystery nose drives me nuts, sounds almost like a bad alt bearing or belt tensioner.  No, it is not the normal Valk clutch noise when in neutral.  More a chirp/squeal.  I've replaced the brass bushing in the lever, and the pushrod and rubber bushing as well.  Fluid good.  I notice it most when riding at lower speeds like around town, never at idle.  Pull in my clutch lever just slightly (like millimeters -- not nearly enough to disengage) and it goes away.  Saw this article on ShopTalk.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/clutchnoise.htm

While my splines are indeed due for a lube, I don't see how this could be causing the clutch noise that is affected by the lever.  Hoping to do the splines before winter, but really have my doubts that'll help the clutch sound.

If you or any resident Valk Gurus get to the bottom of this please let me know.

BTW, clutch functions as it should otherwise.  No slipping, etc.

[Bighead]

My 97 has a sound at idle with bike in neuTral pull clutch it quits and it has done it since day one i ignore it now. What after 19 yrs it is normal

[DaShine]

Thanks for all the responses. Valkorodo, it seems like you know exactly what I am talking about. As long as there is no damage being done I can live with it. A couple quick pulls of the clutch lever and it goes away. Sure would like to know the cause though.

[Cracker Jack]

Minor point, but the clutch is 'disengaged' when the lever is released. It is 'engaged' when the lever is in.
using the wrong terms just adds to the confusion factor

Yes, minor point. I see where you could be confused. When my clutch is pulled in and the bike won't go, it's disengaged. When I release the lever and the bike moves, it's engaged.

[Pete]

Your sound is normally called clutch rattle ( I think). (or throwout bearing rattle)
Every manual transmission vehicle I have had has some form of clutch rattle.
Some sound louder or softer than others.
Even the same make and model will sound somewhat different.

And yes sometimes it sounds different on the same vehicle.

As long as the noise or frequency is not increasing it should be considered normal.

[Valkorado]

Your sound is normally called clutch rattle ( I think). (or throwout bearing rattle)
Every manual transmission vehicle I have had has some form of clutch rattle.
Some sound louder or softer than others.
Even the same make and model will sound somewhat different.

And yes sometimes it sounds different on the same vehicle.

As long as the noise or frequency is not increasing it should be considered normal.

Just to clarify again, the noise my Tourer is making is NOT the "normal" clutch rumble we hear in neutral at idle.  Both my Valks do that.  The sound I'm dealing with is ONLY (see edit) heard when the bike is motion and most noticeable at lower speeds.  Not bearings, as it goes away when the clutch lever is ever so slightly pulled.  Like DaShine said, it's intermittent but once the bike is good and warm it starts and it is obnoxious!  Kinda a squeal, and very notceable even to people in cages. It has been baffling and bothering the hell out if me for quite awhile now.  

Edit: Could be the recent cold temps, but I fired the bike up yesterday, and once warmed up it is also making the sound in neutral.  It's coming from the lower left, around the transmission or the alternator cover.  Going to try to record video with sound...

[Pete]

Your sound is normally called clutch rattle ( I think). (or throwout bearing rattle)
Every manual transmission vehicle I have had has some form of clutch rattle.
Some sound louder or softer than others.
Even the same make and model will sound somewhat different.

And yes sometimes it sounds different on the same vehicle.

As long as the noise or frequency is not increasing it should be considered normal.

Just to clarify again, the noise my Tourer is making is NOT the "normal" clutch rumble we hear in neutral at idle.  Both my Valks do that.  The sound I'm dealing with is ONLY heard when the bike is motion and most noticeable at lower speeds.  Not bearings, as it goes away when the clutch lever is ever so slightly pulled.  Like DaShine said, it's intermittent but once the bike is good and warm it starts and it is obnoxious!  Kinda a squeal, and very notceable even to people in cages. It has been baffling and bothering the hell out if me for quite awhile now.   

OK, the last time I had a low speed rattle it was in slow left turns, usually from startup and was rear wheel spline wear and rust. Seems the prior owner did not grease the splines.

[Ricky-D]

It could be that the clutch lifter rod needs lubricating.  Item number (14)

http://www.procaliber.com/oemparts/a/hon/506c2f68f870023420a31b37/clutch

***

[Valkorado]

It could be that the clutch lifter rod needs lubricating.  Item number (14)

http://www.procaliber.com/oemparts/a/hon/506c2f68f870023420a31b37/clutch

***

Best suggestion this far, thanks.  If the spline job doesn't do it, I'll look into that.

[indybobm]

I think Ricky has the answer. Pretty easy to pull the clutch slave and lubricate the Clutch Lifter Rod.

[DaShine]

I put some more time into trying to figure out that noise and even made a recording of it with my cell phone intermittently pulling in the clutch just a touch to stop the noise. This may be a hint for some of you repair gurus - the noise is coming from the area right near the oil fill and oil dipstick. Well, I was sick of the noise so I pulled off the switch where the clutch lever hinges, cut me a piece of cardboard and wrapped it in sticky tape, inserted it with a piece of tape on one side sticky part out, put it in place and let the clutch lever snap into place to seat it. HA! No more noise. I tried to get it to come back but-NOTHING! The setup I used is just a temporary fix of course until I can find something more permanent to use as a spacer back there and a good way to mount it, but I will try this for a while and see how she runs.

[DaShine]

I put some more time into trying to figure out that noise and even made a recording of it with my cell phone intermittently pulling in the clutch just a touch to stop the noise. This may be a hint for some of you repair gurus - the noise is coming from the area right near the oil fill and oil dipstick. Well, I was sick of the noise so I pulled off the switch where the clutch lever hinges, cut me a piece of cardboard and wrapped it in sticky tape, inserted it with a piece of tape on one side sticky part out, put it in place and let the clutch lever snap into place to seat it. HA! No more noise. I tried to get it to come back but-NOTHING! The setup I used is just a temporary fix of course until I can find something more permanent to use as a spacer back there and a good way to mount it, but I will try this for a while and see how she runs.

[indybobm]

Sounds more like a band aid for the problem. Should not have to do that. Try greasing the clutch lifter rod.

[Valkorado]

This may be a hint for some of you repair gurus - the noise is coming from the area right near the oil fill and oil dipstick.

I'm hearing it on the opposite side, around the transmission or alternator.

[DaShine]

Well that is strange Valkorado, as it was definitely loudest right around the oil dipstick. As far as my solution being a Band Aide  one thing I know - before I had the noise and now I DO NOT!

[Valkorado]

Just got a mechanics stethoscope, will try to narrow it down...

Still trying to picture where you put that piece of cardboard, but you can bet I'll give a go.  Even a temporary bandaid is better than nothing, until I can investigate more.

[DaShine]

Here is what I did to eliminate the noise.. Take off the switch at the base of the clutch lever. The back of the clutch lever is flat and rests against a flat casing (that is what stops it). Now that the switch is gone you can access that flat spot by pulling in the clutch lever. Attach something to the back flat casing (basically a spacer) which will prevent the clutch from going all the way back which gives you the millimeters that normally eliminate the sound when it occurs. Please let me know if it works for you Valkorodo. I am also interested to see what your stethoscope picks up. Looking forward to your next post.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Here is what I did to eliminate the noise.. Take off the switch at the base of the clutch lever. The back of the clutch lever is flat and rests against a flat casing (that is what stops it). Now that the switch is gone you can access that flat spot by pulling in the clutch lever. Attach something to the back flat casing (basically a spacer) which will prevent the clutch from going all the way back which gives you the millimeters that normally eliminate the sound when it occurs. Please let me know if it works for you Valkorodo. I am also interested to see what your stethoscope picks up. Looking forward to your next post.

can you post a pic ? I can't visualize what you are describing. If needed you can email it and I will post .

[Rio Wil]

Seems to me you are keeping a little bit of hydraulic pressure on the lift pin in the clutch slave cylinder. I am not sure if that pin rotates with the clutch basket, but with a continued pressure exerted on it, will it eventually gall and wear unduly.

[longrider]

Seems to me you are keeping a little bit of hydraulic pressure on the lift pin in the clutch slave cylinder. I am not sure if that pin rotates with the clutch basket, but with a continued pressure exerted on it, will it eventually gall and wear unduly.

[DaShine]

Actually, there is no hydrolic pressure being applied. What is being accomplished is the slack in the clutch lever (before it starts activating the clutch action) is being taken up by the spacer. Weird right? Again, I am just talking about 1/4" freeplay or less being taken up and that is what I don't understand about this noise and why it stops with such little action on the clutch lever. I do understand your comments about wear being caused by constant hydrolic pressure and thanks for posting that.