clutch noise

[steve95]

Hi all, i have a vfr750 fj and need help identifing a noise. It only does it when the clutch is out, or accelerating, for example, sat at traffic lights, in neutral, if i let the clutch out, i can feel a vibration through the footpegs, and a worn bearing sound, if i pull the clutch in it dissapears?! it also makes the noise when im cruising or accelerating, but dissapears when engine braking. I suspect a worn clutch thrust bearing, but would like a second opinion on this, also is it a straight-forward job and is the bearing still available/how much? thanks all

[steve95]

P.S. The clutch operation is A1, smooth takeup, no dragging/snatching/rattling. I did bleed the clutch yesterday as the fluid was bad and full of air, and feels a lot better, although the noise seems worse. I have checked other references to "clutch noise" and there doesnt seem to be a case of similar noises. Please help as this is my first big bike (only passed my test 2 weeks ago) and everything else is perfect and im itching to get used to the bike on a long run and im worried about going far if it has a major problem thanks

[WhiteKnight]

I believe what you are hearing/feeling is the clutch push rod (the rod that runs thru the engine from the slave cylinder to the clutch basket). When I heard that on my 93, I was like 'uh oh' I was only able to hear it when the engine was cold. After it warmed up I could not hear it. You hear it most when in neutral with the clutch lever out. Pull it in and it goes away. This is a normal sound and there is no harmbeing done to the bike. happy riding.

[steve95]

thanks for the reply, much appreciated :), but i would of thought that the pushrod would only be noticable when feeding the clutch in or out, as mine only makes the noise with the clutch fully out, and only when warm. the noise is nearly equally loud as the engine when accelerating/ coasting, and sounds like when you have a worn bearing in your hand, and rotate it, the noise is very similar to that. Not to mention the vibes coming through the pegs? could the pushrod cause all these symptoms? i hope so as thats a simple fix (touch wood)
P.S. the bike has only done 35k and has been looked after, although there is a slight oil leak coming from under the gear lever/front sprocket area, i dont know whether that would make any difference? ( i always keep the oil topped up)
Thanks again :) :)

[masonv45]

Pull off the slave and have a look at the pushrod. Let us know what you find.

[steve95]

Will do, as soon as this F*****G weather clears up! week after week of torrential rain...... Sod it, gonna give my mate a ring and get him to hold the umberella! will post what i find

[steve95]

right, just removed the pushrod, looks fine (a little corrosion, but nothing major)
cleaned up. reassembled, same noise???

[eddievalleytrailer]

May be the clutch release bearing.

[GenLightening]

It's been a while since I took the clutch apart on the Honda, but I believe the basket is a multi piece unit that's held together by rivets (like most baskets) and they may have loosened up and now rattle. It could also be a broken spring in the back side of the basket (not sure if these have them). The only way to be sure is to pull the clutch and check everything.

[steve95]

yep, thats looking like the only alternative. As soon as i have some spare cash, i will pull apart the clutch and inspect everything ( i didnt want to touch it if it was not absolutely nesessary as its never been opened). Thanks for your suggestions, i will post the findings when complete with pics

[HWilly]

My 86 750 has a similar noise , when cold, and in cooler weather, sounds like a bag of hammers in the crankcase. I had looked into this noise some time ago, and others (wiser than I) had determined that it was rapid micro-accell/decel of the clutch basket, due to v4 throb. Noise goes away once the bike warms, and I used to leave her to warm up with a velro strap around the clutch lever to lessen the bang.

[vifferj]

This noise is quite common with VFR's and also a lot of other hondas, the uneven power pulses cause surges at idle which gives a rumbly noise from the clutch. You can get rid of this noise by having the carbs balanced. The worst culprit for this is the CBR range, I;ve heard some of those sound like the big ends are about to explode before the carbs were balanced and afterwards purring like a kitten.

[Dark_Raevin]

I've had my '86 VFR 750 for 2 1/2 months now, and I'm just noticing that noise Steve is talking about. It sounds like a washing machine spinning when I let the clutch out in neutral. There is no slipping when I crank the throttle, so I don't think my clutch is failing. Is it possible that one of the bearings is going ?.
And if it is, can it wait until the end of the season... mid October, when I can take it look at it ?.