VFR800 - noisy clutch?

[Wingnut]

Have had an 03 for a few years now. Has always had a little bit of noise when sitting in neutral with clutch released. Kinda was a slight knock here n there. Never really bothered me too much. Engage the clutch and the noise dissapears..... Anyway, just dragged the old slapper out as it really has been far toooooo long between rides and the noise is significantly worse now. Still dissapears once clutch is engaged but I am gonna head off for a week longish ride soon so cant be bothered with any running repairs on the trip so thought I should get it sorted.

Any ideas what it most likely is spanner experts? Bike has only done 35k....

Thanks in advance.

[Akzle]

noo oil and enough of it.

[pritch]

I seem to recall that most of my bikes including the VFR were similar, the Triumph is too. Then there's Ducatis. :whistle:
Check (or change) the oil as has been suggested.
Get someone who knows Hondas to have a listen. Remember though that VFR stands for Very Fucking Reliable.

[Paul in NZ]

Loads of bikes do this - its usually just the plates rattling in the grooves of the clutch basket and nothing to worry about. The crank is never turning at a constant speed at idle so its always speeding up/slowing down and the plates bang about in the grooves.. If the bikes sat for a while it probably needs a carb balance and maybe new plugs etc to smooth out the idle.

The ST 1050 does it and I just ignore it now...

[Wingnut]

Roger that.

It really doesn't sound like plate chatter - more like a knock. My initial thoughts were excessive basket wear. Will dump the oil and inspect accordingly.

Regarding the idle balancing, it makes the sound with increased revs also and had eliminated that on that basis..

Second thoughts - I might paint her red and pretend its Italian :)

Thanks for the feed back kbers. Even you to akzle :headbang:

[FJRider]

Roger that.

It really doesn't sound like plate chatter - more like a knock. My initial thoughts were excessive basket wear. Will dump the oil and inspect accordingly.

Regarding the idle balancing, it makes the sound with increased revs also and had eliminated that on that basis..

Second thoughts - I might paint her red and pretend its Italian :)

Thanks for the feed back kbers. Even you to akzle :headbang:

If it sits for a while .. parts of the plates drain off the oil and dry out. Then they rattle a bit. Some bike models are worse than others ... and it IS a honda.

With older bikes ... plates get worn ... springs get softer .. tolerances expand ... and they rattle. Some do it new.



How long since springs/plates were replaced .. ??

[Swoop]

Have you taken her for a ride? If she's been sitting unused for a while, perhaps a good run to see if anything settles down?