Transmission 'whining' with the clutch out
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 4
From: eastern Pa
If it were me I would;
1. Check the primary chain as it sounds like it might be a little too 'snug'.
2. While you are at it check the clutch adjustment.
3. Dump the fluid you are using in the primary/tranny and use a good API GL-5 rated fluid (such as Mobil 1 75W90 Gear Lube).
1. Check the primary chain as it sounds like it might be a little too 'snug'.
2. While you are at it check the clutch adjustment.
3. Dump the fluid you are using in the primary/tranny and use a good API GL-5 rated fluid (such as Mobil 1 75W90 Gear Lube).
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Chain and Clutch Adjustment
I also agree with OldFenderGuy. Sometimes clutch and chain are both out of whack. Focussing on one, you miss the other. I had a growing transmission whine for a year. Looking back, a grabby clutch developed also. It's the old "boiling frog" syndrome.
Maybe others have the same problem? Here's how I finally sorted mine today.
Last week I fixed the chain whine by slackening the chain. Sofar so good. Then I took up 1/2 a turn on the clutch and slackened the cable. [The dealer had taken the easy way out, tightening the cable so there was no end-play. Guess it saved taking off the derby and adjusting the plates!]
The clutch now worked perfectly...but for some reason, I had a growing rattle in the chaincase. The stethoscope showed it was in front of the starter. I recently added 10% Lucas, so wondered if I caused a problem with the starter release?
I rechecked the chain. It had slackened to 12-14mm. Clearly I'd done a poor job finding the tight spot. To fix this, I laid out a "virtual chain" alongside the bike, with masking tape every 10", as in the pic...
I can't get the bike on the lifter on my own, so pulled the plugs and in 2nd gear pushed the bike along the virtual chain, measuring the vertical play with the wire tool in the pic. I also double checked it with a vernier. At each point I rocked the bike back and forth to try and get tension out of it. At the tightest point I took it up 3mm, i.e. from 12mm to 9mm. This is about 1/4 turn on the screw adjuster.
When I started the bike and went round the block, the rattle had gone. It must have been a slightly loose chain, kissing the screw bosses as it flew out on top near the starter motor. I either stuffed up the first chain adjustment, or adjusting the clutch in some way, changed the chain tension. I can't think how, so it must have been poor work by me. Hope this helps another rider.
Maybe others have the same problem? Here's how I finally sorted mine today.
Last week I fixed the chain whine by slackening the chain. Sofar so good. Then I took up 1/2 a turn on the clutch and slackened the cable. [The dealer had taken the easy way out, tightening the cable so there was no end-play. Guess it saved taking off the derby and adjusting the plates!]
The clutch now worked perfectly...but for some reason, I had a growing rattle in the chaincase. The stethoscope showed it was in front of the starter. I recently added 10% Lucas, so wondered if I caused a problem with the starter release?
I rechecked the chain. It had slackened to 12-14mm. Clearly I'd done a poor job finding the tight spot. To fix this, I laid out a "virtual chain" alongside the bike, with masking tape every 10", as in the pic...
I can't get the bike on the lifter on my own, so pulled the plugs and in 2nd gear pushed the bike along the virtual chain, measuring the vertical play with the wire tool in the pic. I also double checked it with a vernier. At each point I rocked the bike back and forth to try and get tension out of it. At the tightest point I took it up 3mm, i.e. from 12mm to 9mm. This is about 1/4 turn on the screw adjuster.
When I started the bike and went round the block, the rattle had gone. It must have been a slightly loose chain, kissing the screw bosses as it flew out on top near the starter motor. I either stuffed up the first chain adjustment, or adjusting the clutch in some way, changed the chain tension. I can't think how, so it must have been poor work by me. Hope this helps another rider.
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dCon0ne
Primary/Transmission/Driveline/Clutch
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Oct 23, 2015 08:13 AM
