98 RKC

I've been noticing a knocking sound from my bike lately. It does it when the engine is off and I'm coasting to a stop in neutral. Seems worse going forward then when you push it backwards. I think it's coming from about the primary and also am guessing it might be the front pulley nut loose but I'm not positive. Other than that, everything's fine with it. It also leaks a little oil (a few drops but not a puddle yet) from the same area but not all the time.


Any other guesses? Is this normal? I would hate to tear the whole primary off just to check that pulley nut and find out it's tight. I haven't put it up on the lift yet and spun the back tire but I figure it will be about the same if I do.


carl

 

You only pull the outer primary cover to check the nut but they usually make a shocking racket when the motor is running...sounds like a shot main bearing.

I would put it on a lift and spin the wheel before pulling anything apart, it might just be a loose primary chain but there are a few things it could be....I certainly wouldn't be riding it until it's fixed though.

 

I don't hear it at all when the motor is running so maybe thats not it. I also check the primary tension every 5k miles but I'll chunk it on the lift and pull the outer cover just the same.


carl

 

Check the trans pulley closely.

 

No guess on what it is...but should not be hard to find with the bike's rear wheel up and maybe outer primary cover off. The outer gasket can usually be reused as can the oil if you are really cheap.

 

Can't be anything in the primary area, only thing turning when 'pushing' (assuming in neutral) is: rear/front wheels, drive chain/belt, rear pulley, front transmission pulley, and main drive shaft in transmission.

Believe what you are hearing is the rear/front brake pad rubbing on the brake rotors.

 

I put it on the lift and spun the wheel. I sure sounds like it's coming from the pulley. I tried to see of the pulley would slide in and out on the shaft but it wouldn't move. Haven't pulled the outer primary yet.



carl

 

Pulley splines might be shot or one of the allen screws that stops the pulley nut from coming undone might have come loose and backed out. Either way it's, primary off for a look around.....it could still be something in the clutch/primary so look carefully as it comes apart.

At least it's you that is taking it apart and it's not taking itself apart as you try to overtake a truck in a tight spot at high speed....that would be bad voodoo!