Clutch or something else?

[Coach]

I'm having 2 problems-

1- A clattering sound that is loudest when first taking off, but seems to still be there all the time

2- While maintaining a steady speed or slowing down, the bike starts acting wierd. Only way I can describe it is very "jerky" - almost like I was alternately pulling in the clutch slightly and then letting it back out. Happens slightly when accelerating in 1st and 2nd and is at its worst when cruising at a steady speed. It does not happen at all when accelerating in 3rd, 4th, or 5th.


Any ideas?

[Quick 350]

It sounds like you might have a clutch disk that has cracked and separated.

It would make that chattering sound as well cause slipping of the clutch at different times.

I had the same problem on my 02 Honda Spirit 750 only after 2000 miles.

Replaced it with a Barrnet clutch (cheaper and better then OEM) Big improvement in the grab of the clutch.

I believe it cost round $60.00 and installed it my self. Not that hard at all.

Good Luck!!!

and post back!

Mike

[TechTMW]

Nice troubleshooting Mike! That's what it sounds like to me as well.

I'm going to be out of a job soon

[Coach]

Thanks for the info. I'll check it out.

[Coach]

Turns out it was a loose chain. Adjusted for now but probably will need a new chain and sprocket set soon.

[Coach]

Well, took it out for my usual daily 100 mile roundtrip commute this afternoon and the noise is gone. However, the jerky motion is still there just maybe not quite as bad. Could that also be caused by the chain? Chain still seems a bit loose to me and still measures too much slack according to my manual so I'm going to adjust it a bit more tonight.

Also need 1/4 turn out on the carb screw too. Slight popping on decel. -
Some of you may remember I was having a bit of trouble due to the exhaust baffles being removed by the previous owner. I finally got a stock exhaust off Ebay for $60 including shipping - way cheaper than I had expected since they had all been going for over $200 just a couple weeks back. Anyway, installed that yesterday and that has helped alot but still seems just a hair on the lean side.

Could the fact that it is still just a slight bit lean be causing that jerky-ness?

[BuzZz]

If the chain and sprockets are hatched, especially if the teeth are 'hooked', they can catch on the rollers of the chain as they come off the sprocket. This can cause such a jerkiness. IF that's the problem.....

[Coach]

I'll take a closer look at it tonight. The shop where I had the chain adjusted today said it should be replaced soon. I would have done the adjustment myself, but the nuts on the rear wheel must have been put on with an air gun and I couldn't get them to budge (I broke a socket handle trying). I can get them loose now so I will do some measuring and adjust it a slight bit more probably as it still seems loose. I'll check on the wear of the sprockets while I'm at it. Thanks-

[poppygene]

Hey, Coach! Do you have any idea how many miles are on the chain and sprockets? My guess is the teeth are rounded off. Are you sure the jerkiness is coming from the drivetrain, or could it be from something else?

Inquiring minds want to know!

[Coach]

I'm assuming they are original which means 16,400 miles (2,200 of those in the last 5 weeks since I bought it!). The teeth on the rear sprocket are slightly rounded but not really all that bad.

No, I'm not 100% sure it is coming from the drivetrain. The bad chattering noise was since the chain adjustment took care of it. I had thought it might be the clutch and some suggestions above sounded on the right track, but the more I drove it up and down the street here this morning and listened to where the sound was coming from and what it sounded like, I started looking at other things. The chain was obviously way too loose and I had a feeling that might be the source of the noise. Since that needed to be done anyway and is much cheaper, easier, and quicker than replacing the clutch, I decided to run over to the shop and try that first. It needed to be done regardless. Anyway, the noise I was hearing is completely gone now. But, on my ride this afternoon, the jerkiness is still there, although possibly not quite as bad.

I'm wondering if it may be that the chain is still a bit too loose or the fact that I need to back the carb screw out a 1/4 to 1/2 a turn because the bike is running just slightly lean. Or, it may be something entirely different. I'm open to ideas to look into. Cheap and quick items first to eliminate those possibilities and then I'll go on from there.