Clutch noise in neutral

[CptKirk]

I did a search for noise with transmission in neutral and found a couple of concepts about the noise source but just not sure what I'm looking at labor wise. Wondering what the most likely source of noise is.

 

Working on a 1987 XVZ13DTC with 60000 miles. The bike is running great right now but I can hear a rumble that goes away in neutral with the clutch pulled in. When the clutch is let out in neutral the rumble comes back . It' not loud but it is there.

 

Using a stethoscope I can hear the rumbling loudest near the oil fill plug. When the clutch is pulled in the noise is gone completely and everything is smooth. It sounds like a bearing rumble. Clutch works great no binding, grabbing slipping or other nonsense. Shifts great and clutch lever engages at the bottom almost as if the clutch is a newer one. (The bike is new to me)

 

I am wondering what the most likely culprit is and how critical you guys think this might be and how soon it should be fixed.

 

Biggest concern is that it is the ball bearing behind the clutch on the output of the transmission.(Part #8 in the transmission picture.)

 

I saw the pictorial tech post here of a member who removed his engine to split the cases and replace the 30.00 bearing because the cage folded on the bearing behind the clutch basket and disintegrated leaving all the balls bunched up inside the two races.

 

Or could it more likely be the clutch bearing itself? (#17 in the picture of the clutch assembly)

[Dano]

I would have to say it's the clutch rod bearing in the pressure plate. That is the only bearing that will reduce noise with the clutch lever pulled in because the pressure plate stops turning then and you're applying pressure on it. Other wise it's just sittin' and spinnin'. Yup, #17.

 

Dan

[Kregerdoodle]

hmmm, first gen huh? I would say that you need to change out your playing cards or the springs in the Clothes pins are weak......LOL Sorry, had to stir the pot... I really have no Idea.. Good luck !!

[MasterGuns]

I also have an 88 that makes the same low rumble from the clutch only while in neutral and the clutch is not engaged. Has been making this noise, which incidently isn't bothersome in anyway, for quite a long time, perhaps years. Personnally, I wouldn't worry about it at all. And I don't think it is a bearing noise anyway. I'm so worried about it, that I am taking off this weekend on a 500 plus ride on a 2d edition hunt. Just love leaving them in my dust. Oh sorry there KBAY, also just trying to stir the pot.

[CptKirk]

I also have an 88 that makes the same low rumble from the clutch only while in neutral and the clutch is not engaged. Has been making this noise, which incidently isn't bothersome in anyway, for quite a long time, perhaps years. Personnally, I wouldn't worry about it at all. And I don't think it is a bearing noise anyway. I'm so worried about it, that I am taking off this weekend on a 500 plus ride on a 2d edition hunt. Just love leaving them in my dust. Oh sorry there KBAY, also just trying to stir the pot.

 

 

Your right and I don't know either but guess it's meant to ride. I'll turn up the music

[Bob Myers]

My 86 does it too. I just returned from a 3400 mile turn to Salt Lake and back, noise is no louder nor less louder than it was when I left.

[Gearhead]

Add my 87 to the list, as well as other bikes I've heard. The 83 and maybe 84 had a problem with a thrust washer wearing too fast, but Yammy fixed that. When the clutch is engaged in neutral, the trans input shaft is turning and some of the gears are as well. They are all freewheeling in neutral, but just the fact that all this machinery is moving makes a little noise. If it's bearing noise, it will let you know as the miles accumulate. I had a ball main bearing go bad on my Virago. It took about 5000 miles to go from the "do I hear something?" stage to "dang, I gotta stop riding this thing".

 

Jeremy

[Jethroish]

Tonight after I got home from work, I noticed a "rumble" when I pulled in the garage, put it in neutral and let the clutch lever out. Did not sound like throwout bearings.

No slipping, shifts normally, but it is just loud enought that the wife even heard it.

If I take it to the stealer, are they going to tell me to pay because clutch is a wear item and not covered? Bike is only 2 years old with 21,000 miles.

[skydoc_17]

My 87'VR makes the same noise, but when I'm riding with a 2nd Gen. I can't hear it over the whine of the 2nd Gen!!!

Earl

[5bikes]

The clutch basket slots widen with age. Also the tabs on the clutch plates narrow. More gaps= more noise. Very common on old GW's. It's a DWAI. Don't worry about it.

If it starts to grind then fix it. , Or buy another bike!