82 GS 550 crank / clutch knock.

[cfay02]

Is anyone else experiencing a really annoying crank / clutch basket knock at idle, pretty sure it's related to those stupid helical cut gears.

[Nessism]

It's not the gears. Suzuki used that same engine virtually unchanged from 1977 to 1983 and it's stone cold reliable.

Have you checked to make sure the hub nut isn't loose?

[Carter Turk]

I had an 82 Katana 550 with a twisted/spun crank, not by me. Picked up a 79 motor to replace it.
My be worth pulling the spark plugs out to see where the pistons are.

[cfay02]

Actually 77 to 79 were straight cut, they switched to helical cut in 80. Hence the problem.

[Nessism]

Actually 77 to 79 were straight cut, they switched to helical cut in 80. Hence the problem.

- Part Number Cross-Reference - Where Used

Part Number
12200-47011

Crankshaft

1978 SUZUKI GS550C - CRANKSHAFT
1978 SUZUKI GS550EC - CRANKSHAFT
1979 SUZUKI GS550EN - CRANKSHAFT
1979 SUZUKI GS550LN - CRANKSHAFT
1979 SUZUKI GS550N - CRANKSHAFT
1980 SUZUKI GS550LT - CRANKSHAFT
1980 SUZUKI GS550T & ET - CRANKSHAFT
1981 SUZUKI GS550TX - CRANKSHAFT

[cfay02]

They are in fact different. Really.

[Nessism]

The parts fishe doesn't show the difference. However, looking at cranks on ebay does show the change. I didn't know that. Regardless, I tend to doubt clutch noise comes from helical gears. The huge majority of GS bikes have helical primary gears, and you are the first person I've heard blame them for noise.

[londonboards]

Type in Suzuki Clutch Noise on YouTube and you will find loads of potential sources of noise.

As you will if you search this forum.

[Nessism]

You can try measuring the thrust clearance on the clutch basket assembly to see if something is wrong there. The clutch basket rides on a large needle bearing arrangement and the entire assembly is well conceived and durable. I'd focus on fault diagnosis, not blaming the gear type.

[cfay02]

Way past that, helical assemblys when at temp produce side loads and with the pulsations produced at idle you can get crank lift ( play ). Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.