98 Sound when clutch pulled/released

[Morades]

I just got a 98 with 6K miles on it. It seems to be in perfect condition except for this strange sound I've never heard from a bike before. Here is what happens:

I noticed it while sitting at lights and not moving forward at all. While in 1st as I let the pull the clutch in or begin to let it out, it sounds as though a piece of paper is being crumpled. At first I thought it was some paper stuck under the fender. There is no sound when the clutch lever is static, it only occurs as the clutch lever moves. This happens no matter what temperature the bike is running at. However, if I put it in neutral, I can pull the clutch in and out all day and will get no sound.

I would appreciate any advice anyone could give me. I love my new bike and this is the only thing wrong with it. Thanks.

[Partpower]

check to see if your variable air intake valve is cycling. it's on top of your air cleaner where the diaphram is with one hose going to it. it should be closed below 5500 rpm and open above that. let me know what you find......... good luck...russ

[TKWelch]

I had a similar problem. To me it kinda sounded like a all of the sudden I had a dry clutch. I asked the tech at my dealer and he said that it was normal clutch sound for a VFR so I dismissed it. In the summer when it gets hot out I switch to 20-50 oil and the sound subsides a bit but is still there. I have since put 25,000 miles on my bike and haven't had a problem with the clutch. Hope that helps some.
Tyler

[jonno]

Could the throwout bearing be the culprit or do they just make noise in the heat of the summer? I dont remeber my 97 noisy but my 2001 is.

I also have a 98 and its making the same sound.

It is the throw out bearing! All bike make that noise but some more than others.I noticed it on my 2001 VFR than listened to 7 bikes at my shop(I am a bike dealer) and they all made the noise from Harleys to BMW to kawi suz etc.Just ignore it.

[vifferj]

The throttle butterflys go out of sync leading to irregular pulses through the primary gear which can lead to the noise you describe. It's only an irritation and won't cause damage but having the throttle bodies balanced does help

[stovepipe]

Hello everyone, I seem to be having the same problem on my '99.

i cannot seem to make it repeatable through clutch lever action.

i know it does NOT happen when i am in neutral. If i have the clutch pulled in and i am in gear, it can happen.

it is a pretty disconcerting, fairly loud, paper crunching sound that i never heard out of another '99 that i rode for 14K miles.

any help would be really appreciated...

here is the other thread i have been yapping in.

Intermittent crunching sound?????

Thanks!

[DashCrasher]

I'll chime in here and ask if the sound is simmilar to a spinning fan blade touching a piece of plastic.? If so that's what I get intermittantly, most noticable at a stop.

[chris in va]

spinning fan blade touching a piece of plastic

Maybe it is! Checked the electric fan blades for clearance?

[stovepipe]

I'll be sure to check it out, but it doesn't sound like that to me...

crunching paper only very intermittently. In the past 2 tanks of gas, i have only heard it once!

[BD-VX99]

I can make the noise repeatedly even with the eninge off on my 98, but the ingition has to be set to on and the kill switch set to run. It also won't make the noise if the kickstand is down. Any more ideas?

[VFRluvr]

I have to chime in here as well.

First of all I think there are two different problems being discussed. One is the original question from morades of the paper crunching sound that a couple others have commented on. The other question is the vibration/friction sound occasionally heard when engaging the clutch. I haven't heard any paper crunching sound on my '00 vfr (24k miles) but I have heard (and am a bit disturbed by) the vibration/friction noise when engaging the clutch.

It only happens when taking off from a stop and is more likely to happen with a higher rpm launch and gradual clutch release. If it was just the sound it wouldn't bother me too much, but the mild vibration (can be felt through the handlebars) is somewhat disconcerting. I've put 4k miles on the bike since it's purchase last spring and it has consistently been doing this all along. Other than this the clutch seems to function perfectly.

I was going to replace the clutch in the next few weeks before the riding season starts in the hope that this will solve the issue.

Any suggestions on what could be the problem or what wearable clutch parts may be the culprit would be appreciated.

[derstuka]

Originally Posted by VFRluvr

I have to chime in here as well.


It only happens when taking off from a stop and is more likely to happen with a higher rpm launch and gradual clutch release. If it was just the sound it wouldn't bother me too much, but the mild vibration (can be felt through the handlebars) is somewhat disconcerting. I've put 4k miles on the bike since it's purchase last spring and it has consistently been doing this all along. Other than this the clutch seems to function perfectly.

I was going to replace the clutch in the next few weeks before the riding season starts in the hope that this will solve the issue.

Any suggestions on what could be the problem or what wearable clutch parts may be the culprit would be appreciated.

Sounds like it could be a bad drive/friction plate(s). Seems like you replacing the clutch sound do the trick.

BTW, I have noticed a odd sporadic fairly quiet noise that happens at lower speeds mostly, kinda sounding like the paper crunching noise mentioned. It drives me bonkers sometimes because I know it is there.

[VFRluvr]

Thanks derstuka, I'll replace the clutch and throw out bearing as well while I'm in there. Do you think I should look into the clutch basket as well? Or is that not usually a problem with these bikes.

[Lgn001]

Do the 5th gens have hydraulic clutches or cables?

[VFRluvr]

5th gens have hydraulic clutches.

[Lgn001]

Thanks for the feedback. Has anybody bled the hydraulic system with new fluid to see if that affects anything? Just curious if the slave cylinder piston is sliding smoothly...

[derstuka]

Originally Posted by VFRluvr

Thanks derstuka, I'll replace the clutch and throw out bearing as well while I'm in there. Do you think I should look into the clutch basket as well? Or is that not usually a problem with these bikes.

I have never tampered with the VFR's clutch as of yet, and know what is more likely to go wrong. On my FZRs, I always starting by replacing the friction plates & springs, inspecting the drive plates (replacing if out of tolerance/warped) and inspecting the clutch basket/housing per specs. Always a good to give her a good once over to make sure everything looks ok. Most like you can probably get away with new springs, friction & drive plates. If everything else appears to be not excessively worn, put her back together, take her for a ride and see if that cures it. Be a lot cheaper to just replace plates and springs, rather than the whole clutch basket as well if it is unnecessary.

[hondawolf]

The sound morader is talking about is pretty common to most bikes, and hondas. My 04 vfr makes a light chatter sound mainly in neutral, with the lever out, sitting at a light. My bike is an 04 with 31,000 miles, clutch has never been replaced and seems to run fine. I've had it in to 2 diff. dealers, and listened to a handful of honda bikes from cruisers to cbrs, they all make the noise.

[VFRluvr]

Originally Posted by derstuka

I have never tampered with the VFR's clutch as of yet, and know what is more likely to go wrong. On my FZRs, I always starting by replacing the friction plates & springs, inspecting the drive plates (replacing if out of tolerance/warped) and inspecting the clutch basket/housing per specs. Always a good to give her a good once over to make sure everything looks ok. Most like you can probably get away with new springs, friction & drive plates. If everything else appears to be not excessively worn, put her back together, take her for a ride and see if that cures it. Be a lot cheaper to just replace plates and springs, rather than the whole clutch basket as well if it is unnecessary.

I'm sure you're right about this. It just seemed odd to me that the clutch is worn and needs to be replaced even though it seems to perform flawlessly. But it does make sense.

I'll report back with results when I put in the new plates, and springs and replace and bleed the clutch fluid.

[VFRluvr]