Clutch Noise? - Resolved
Clutch Noise? - Resolved
I went for a decent ride last night, about 70 miles round trip and on the way back in town I noticed that starting out in 1st at lights and stop signs my clutch was making a noise like a, "ch-ch-ch-click" when the clutch engages. It's not super loud but loud enough to hear over the motor and exhaust. I've never noticed this sound before just wondering if it's somthing to worry about.
RE: Clutch Engage Noise?
I think I'm going to check the wet clutch oil tonight, I checked the regular oil and it's fine. Not sure if they go to the same place or not. My knowledge of Harley engines is little at the moment. So I'm a bit paranoid about it when there's a noise, since I don't know how exactly they have it set up.
RE: Clutch Engage Noise?
Is it possible that since the bike was very hot when I came into town that the oil in the clutch and transmission was more thin than normal and thats why I could hear it? As I said above I went for about 70 miles with only one stop and then on the way back I was back into traffic suddenly without a lot of air moving to cool the engine. Also we have had a very high humidity in PA the last couple days? I only suggest this because I noticed that the bike was extra hot after stopping at a few lights and I could feel a lot more heat off the engine than I usually do.
Just curious since when I got home from work today I went into the garage and backed it up and let the clutch out in 1st a few times to see if I could hear anything and the noise seams to be gone. But since the engine hadn't been running to get hot that got me thinking about the heat factor.
Note: The bike was not overheating, just hotter than usual.
Just curious since when I got home from work today I went into the garage and backed it up and let the clutch out in 1st a few times to see if I could hear anything and the noise seams to be gone. But since the engine hadn't been running to get hot that got me thinking about the heat factor.
Note: The bike was not overheating, just hotter than usual.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Clutch Engage Noise?
ORIGINAL: pwnzilla
Is it possible that since the bike was very hot when I came into town that the oil in the clutch and transmission was more thin than normal and thats why I could hear it? As I said above I went for about 70 miles with only one stop and then on the way back I was back into traffic suddenly without a lot of air moving to cool the engine. Also we have had a very high humidity in PA the last couple days? I only suggest this because I noticed that the bike was extra hot after stopping at a few lights and I could feel a lot more heat off the engine than I usually do.
Just curiois since when I got home from work today I went into the garage and backed it up and let the clutch out in 1st a few times to see if I could hear anything and the noise seams to be gone. But since the engine hadn't been running to get hot that got me thinking about the heat factor.
Note: The bike was not overheating, just hotter than usual.
Is it possible that since the bike was very hot when I came into town that the oil in the clutch and transmission was more thin than normal and thats why I could hear it? As I said above I went for about 70 miles with only one stop and then on the way back I was back into traffic suddenly without a lot of air moving to cool the engine. Also we have had a very high humidity in PA the last couple days? I only suggest this because I noticed that the bike was extra hot after stopping at a few lights and I could feel a lot more heat off the engine than I usually do.
Just curiois since when I got home from work today I went into the garage and backed it up and let the clutch out in 1st a few times to see if I could hear anything and the noise seams to be gone. But since the engine hadn't been running to get hot that got me thinking about the heat factor.
Note: The bike was not overheating, just hotter than usual.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: Clutch Engage Noise?
Assuming that the fluid level in the primary/tranny is at the correct level, it sounds to me like you just need to have the primary chain adjusted.
Many times the chain adjustment is on the 'loose side' when it comes from the factory, as having the chain set to tight is worse than having it set with a little too much slack.
Not all chains are created equally, but many will stretch a bit during the normal break in process, and one of the things done at the first scheduled maintenance is to adjust the primary chain to correct specifications.
If the slack is too extreme it's pretty easy to tell, as besides additional noise you will get a 'jerking' feeling while riding at very low speeds.
Many times the chain adjustment is on the 'loose side' when it comes from the factory, as having the chain set to tight is worse than having it set with a little too much slack.
Not all chains are created equally, but many will stretch a bit during the normal break in process, and one of the things done at the first scheduled maintenance is to adjust the primary chain to correct specifications.
If the slack is too extreme it's pretty easy to tell, as besides additional noise you will get a 'jerking' feeling while riding at very low speeds.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
RE: Clutch Engage Noise?
ORIGINAL: OldFenderGuy
Assuming that the fluid level in the primary/tranny is at the correct level, it sounds to me like you just need to have the primary chain adjusted.
Many times the chain adjustment is on the 'loose side' when it comes from the factory, as having the chain set to tight is worse than having it set with a little too much slack.
Not all chains are created equally, but many will stretch a bit during the normal break in process, and one of the things done at the first scheduled maintenance is to adjust the primary chain to correct specifications.
If the slack is too extreme it's pretty easy to tell, as besides additional noise you will get a 'jerking' feeling while riding at very low speeds.
Assuming that the fluid level in the primary/tranny is at the correct level, it sounds to me like you just need to have the primary chain adjusted.
Many times the chain adjustment is on the 'loose side' when it comes from the factory, as having the chain set to tight is worse than having it set with a little too much slack.
Not all chains are created equally, but many will stretch a bit during the normal break in process, and one of the things done at the first scheduled maintenance is to adjust the primary chain to correct specifications.
If the slack is too extreme it's pretty easy to tell, as besides additional noise you will get a 'jerking' feeling while riding at very low speeds.
RE: Clutch Engage Noise?
Whew, thanks for the info, I would bet that's what it is after thinking about the noise and what you've said. I'll let the dealer know when I take it in for my 1000 mile service.