Clutch rattle?

[ddaniels]

Upon getting the carbs cleaned up and the bike running good again, I'm noticing rattling a noise that seems to come from inside the clutch cover. I took the cover off today but can't really tell what in there could be making a rattling noise. I measured the clutch springs and they all seem to be just on the outer edge of the spec., so I don't think they need to be replaced. Any thoughts or comments about what to look for? Also, is there a trick to get the big nut off without an impact wrench? I don't have one. Thanks.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

It seems you've been a member since August of 2009, and your bike is still not listed in your signature file. Shame on you.

Here are a few relevant threads I found using the search feature:

http://www.theflyingbanana.com/clutchhub.htm
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=160396
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=162310
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=164169
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=169840
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=171741


I think an impact wrench is about the only way to get the clutch hub nut off. Check the springs and rivets on the back of the clutch basket, as noted in the above threads. "Cam float" could also be an issue.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[850 Combat]

I have had carbs so out of synch that the uneven crank speed made the primary gears rattle and the clutch rattled badly. carb synch quieted it out amazingly. This was extreme out of synch though.

Clutch rattle is really common for a variety of other reasons though, and the experts here can give them to you.

He's a 1000G owner. a pretty red one.

 

[Steve]

It seems you've been a member since August of 2009, and your bike is still not listed in your signature file. Shame on you.

He's a 1000G owner. a pretty red one.

Yeah, some of us know that, and some of us have actually put a fingerprint on that pretty red bike
(or bought parts that used to be on it), but it's still not in his sig.

.

 

[Nessism]

Hi,

It seems you've been a member since August of 2009, and your bike is still not listed in your signature file. Shame on you.

Here are a few relevant threads I found using the search feature:

http://www.theflyingbanana.com/clutchhub.htm
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=160396
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=162310
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=164169
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=169840
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=171741


I think an impact wrench is about the only way to get the clutch hub nut off. Check the springs and rivets on the back of the clutch basket, as noted in the above threads. "Cam float" could also be an issue.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Nice work using the SEARCH feature there Cliff.:clap:

 

[Big T]

The socket is about $8 at Sears

Steve, been away from home too long?

DD, edit that signature!

 

[posplayr]

The socket is about $8 at Sears

Steve, been away from home too long?

DD, edit that signature!

Todd,
You need a larger avatar
Jim

 

[cowboyup3371]

Todd,
You need a larger avatar
Jim

Wholeheartedly agreed

 

[BassCliff]

Nice work using the SEARCH feature there Cliff.:clap:

Awww, shucks.

Maybe I should write up a tutorial on how to search the forum? Do you think anybody would read it? Not very many new members seem to read their "mega-welcome".


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[ddaniels]

You guys are brutal. Sorry I didn't search first. Guess I need a signature line too. Thanks basscliff for helping me out here. No thanks to you others. (kidding)

 

[ddaniels]

Signature test (ignore)

 

[tkent02]

The springs in the back of the clutch basket can get loose and cause the rattling. Kind of like what's shown on Cliff's site.

 

[ddaniels]

Hi,

It seems you've been a member since August of 2009, and your bike is still not listed in your signature file. Shame on you.

Here are a few relevant threads I found using the search feature:

http://www.theflyingbanana.com/clutchhub.htm
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=160396
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=162310
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=164169
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=169840
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=171741


I think an impact wrench is about the only way to get the clutch hub nut off. Check the springs and rivets on the back of the clutch basket, as noted in the above threads. "Cam float" could also be an issue.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

I read through all these sources and have a pretty good understanding of it all now. All I have to do now is get the hub nut off. On another bike I was able to put a 2x4 through the spokes of the back wheel, put the bike in gear and turn the nut with a breaker bar. But on this bike ('81 1000G) there's a break line sitting on top the swing arm that would get crushed if I tried this. Maybe I'll take the bike off the centerstand, have somebody sit on it and hold it up while I try and break that nut loose. It may be time to invest in an air compressor and impact wrench.

Another question: When using hardened washers as spring shims on the back of the basket, what keeps them in there? Is it the spring force holding it in? Thanks again.

 

[tkent02]

The holes are too small, it can't get out. That's why you have to take it apart and weld it back together.

 

[rustybronco]

I Maybe I'll take the bike off the centerstand, have somebody sit on it and hold it up while I try and break that nut loose. It may be time to invest in an air compressor and impact wrench.

Have someone sit on the bike, put it in gear, then apply both brakes.

 

[Steve]

Steve, been away from home too long?

Shorter this time than the same time last year.

Last year I was in Flori-duh from the first of January to mid-May.

This year, it's Mississississippippi from the first of January to 'only' mid-March.

.

 

[TheCafeKid]

DD, the weakening of the backing plate springs is mostly due to te side loading of the clutch basket because of the helical gear set. It's a common problem, noticed mostly on the bigger GSes, and especially so on bikes with big bore jobs, head work, etc that are putting out alot of horsepower. However, NO large cc GS is immune to this (aside from the 77-79 750 because it actually had straight cut gears instead of helical) and any one can exhibit the rattle you hear.

Now, I'm not going to say that yours or anyone elses bike is doomed from the factory with the chances of an exploding clutch basket. But, the posibility is there. Ignore the weakened springs long enough, and the clutch basket *could* come apart. The result of this, especially at speed, will likely be quite catastrophic and could involve you sitting in the middle of the road on your butt, covered in oil and wondering WTF just happened. Then again, it may never happen.

It's less prone to happening in the shafties as they just don't produce the HP the way the 1100E does but it HAS been seen out of them.


"shimming" the springs is a bandaid fix at best. If you're really worried about it, pull the basket and send it off to have it fixed with a heavy duty plate and welded.

 

[ddaniels]

It's not that I'm overly concerned about it. I just hate the rattley noise. Maybe I should just get a newer bike eh?

 

[Dogma]

...
Now, I'm not going to say that yours or anyone elses bike is doomed from the factory with the chances of an exploding clutch basket. But, the posibility is there. Ignore the weakened springs long enough, and the clutch basket *could* come apart. The result of this, especially at speed, will likely be quite catastrophic and could involve you sitting in the middle of the road on your butt, covered in oil and wondering WTF just happened. Then again, it may never happen.

...

I think I'd be willing to do that if someone could get it on video.

 

[Testarossa]

Did you separate the carbs when you cleaned them? Did the rattle occur before the carb cleaning? I would suggest that you sync the carbs before you tear into the clutch. I have had a similar situation where a single carb that was very out of sync due to removal. It caused a very annoying knock at idle. Once re-synced all was well.