Clutch chattering like a squirrel when lever depressed.....

So my clutch chatters like a squirrel when I depress the lever. In gear not depressed is fine, no noise. It chatters then goes away, lasts longer the higher the rpm is.

I had just adjusted it per Rick's tutorial. When I give it more lash it goes away so the the farther it is pulled the more it chatters.

Any ideas guys?

 

You will have to get in there & take a look, sound like wear to the plates / basket.

 

Is your Oil Level OK?
What Oil are you running?

Sometimes the Oil Pumps Splash Shield gets loose and vibrates noisily.

When you get-in to take a look 'round; measure the Friction Plates.
Maybe you are due for New Clutches.

 

Oil level is good, I just changed it today after putting my carbs back on. This is a clcking/chatter sound. With the bike off, in gear and clutch depressed it clicks when you roll forward.

I had gas in my oil recently, It only ran for about 15 mins and not hard but it did sit like that for about 1.5 months before I discovered it. I had the carbs off rebuilding them during this time. I wonder if it's related to the gassy oil?

 

If your saying that it sat with gas in the oil for 45 days, then yes it could very well be that. Your clutch is a wet clutch and it's best sitting in fresh oil and will have a longer life if the bike is ridden at least once week to saturate all surfaces.

Just sitting is bad, and just sitting in gas/oil is worse. Follow wizards advice, get in there and take a look at your plates.

 

You know, ... it might NOT be the Clutch!

There is an outside chance that it might be a failing Universal Joint.
A noisy U-Joint can sound like a number of things.
It acts like a Ventriloquist.
The noise is created one place; heard another.

If the noise is "Rotational" and increases tempo with the rpm's of the rear wheel, ... it won't hurt to investigate the U-Joint.

Probe for the Noise.
Use a long Rod, Dowel or Pole and place the end near where you think noise is coming from.
Put your ear to the other end and listen to the noises carried along the dowel.

Poor-mans stethoscope.

::: Half a fiberglass "Driveway Marker" makes a perfect Probe. You can sharpen the Probe-end and mount a Gum Eraser on the Listen-end.
Spend a minute "Dressing" the Listen-end with some Medium Sand-paper and you can make the end very comfortable to place your ear too. :::

 

A LONG-BLADE #2 phillips screwdriver; you jam the already nicely rounded end of the handle in your ear and probe with the business end.

I also think OP needs to pop the clutch cover off and have a look though.

 

It makes the noise at a dead stop also. I'm going to pull the cover off and take a peek and while I'm in there I might as well replace the clutch. Heck, it's only time and money. I may even eventually RIDE the bike this summer.

 

If it makes the noise as soon as you take up the slack in the clutch cable, I would be checking the thrust bearing and washer that pulls on the clutch.
You will need to remove the bolts and springs that hold the clutch pack together, as it is under the outer plate.

 

I hope its something real simple.

You'll like the way the Bike handles if you do a whole new set of Frictions, Drivers and Hardware.

Although, the Drivers are re-usable depending on the way they look when you have them out to look at.

 

Darkfibre is on the right track, if the sound comes only when the clutch lever is squeezed. Check the throw out bearing, it's the radial needle bearing that is pulled by the rack and pinion inside the clutch cover.

 

If you pull the basket off to check it, then it's worth looking at the springs that act like a shock absorber when you dump the clutch. It's not often that you'll see any freeplay or a weakened/borken spring, but it's worth looking at while it's apart.

 

Re: Clutch chattering like a squirrel when lever depressed..

So what all should I replace while I'm in there besides the fiber clutch plates and springs?

 

Don't forget new clutch spring bolts. I just did ny clutch and thought I'd save $15 bucks. Last one broke when final torquing. Now gotta remove clutch basket and try to remove bolt. If not, need new clutch basket. Really saved there huh?

 

Also, if you put on a pair of noise reducing ear muffs when using a rod or screwdriver to listen for noise, it acts as an amplifier and you hear the noise better. Just a trick I learned in my trade.

 

Re: Clutch chattering like a squirrel when lever depressed..

I'd go with new bolts and washers; that's about it. UNLESS you discover that solving your rattling noise necessitates something else be replaced as well. If your friction plates aren't burnt or scored, you should be able to clean them up. Scotchbrite only; no steel wool or sandpaper.

You've seen this? http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29541.html Your clutch is simpler; no tabs on the friction plates or a "clutch boss spring" to worry about; but the rest of it is virtually identical.

 

Re: Clutch chattering like a squirrel when lever depressed..

Yah. I've got that bookmarked. I'm thinking throw out bearing too, makes sense.

 

If you are running an Original Clutch, ... a FULL KIT would be a good investment.

Friction Discs
Driven Plates
Springs
Bolts
Thrust Washer
Bearing

The Driven Plates may not be Warped or Burned, ... they might be Flattened-out at the Driven Cog (Galled).