Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

First of all, my bike's a 1999 Suzuki GSX600F. Just over 34,000 on the clock. The oil was changed around 100 miles ago, it's semi-synthetic.


So I just went out to check my tyre pressures and because I've not used the bike for a few days I thought I'd fire it up to keep everything running smoothly. I got it warmed up and took the choke off, was about to shut it down but then started hearing a rattling/ratcheting noise coming from the right side of the bike :?


I got down low and at first thought it could be the fairing all loose or something. It's not, so I got down a bit lower. Then I remembered I'd got a bit of water in the exhaust when I was cleaning it last week and it ran a bit lumpy for a few miles but then was OK. Then I thought "ah, it could be the clutch getting a bit worn", but the clutch is on the other side. So now I'm starting to get a bit worried! Could it be something in the exhaust, or is it going to be something a bit more sinister? It's definately (probably) on the right side of the bike, not the middle and it seems low down and to the side. It might be fine after a short ride on it...but I don't want to risk turning a £20 job into a £200 one!


EDIT: Oh yes, it only seems to occur under about 1,500 RPM. Anything above that and it's sweet as a nut what's been coated in sugar and dipped in honey.


EDIT: I think I'm going to check my valve clearances tomorrow. I guess it could be the cam chain, but I'll have to see what tomorrow brings...

Posted

sounds like cam to me but hard to say, if you recently changed the oil it could not have got all the way round yet, I'd let it get properly warm and see if it goes away.

Posted

Cheers rennie.


I think what I'll do is check the valve clearances tomorrow. I do all my own work and services on the bike (apart from MOT of course. Best way to learn, I think), but valve clearances are one area that I've been neglecting :oops: I'm hoping that's all it'll be, but I'll check the cam chain while I'm down there...I hope it's not that!! It's an automatic cam chain adjuster, so if it is the cam chain then the chain, sprockets and possibly guides will need replacing :(!

Posted
First of all, my bike's a 1999 Suzuki GSX600F. Just over 34,000 on the clock. The oil was changed around 100 miles ago, it's semi-synthetic.


So I just went out to check my tyre pressures and because I've not used the bike for a few days I thought I'd fire it up to keep everything running smoothly. I got it warmed up and took the choke off, was about to shut it down but then started hearing a rattling/ratcheting noise coming from the right side of the bike :?


I got down low and at first thought it could be the fairing all loose or something. It's not, so I got down a bit lower. Then I remembered I'd got a bit of water in the exhaust when I was cleaning it last week and it ran a bit lumpy for a few miles but then was OK. Then I thought "ah, it could be the clutch getting a bit worn", but the clutch is on the other side. So now I'm starting to get a bit worried! Could it be something in the exhaust, or is it going to be something a bit more sinister? It's definately (probably) on the right side of the bike, not the middle and it seems low down and to the side. It might be fine after a short ride on it...but I don't want to risk turning a £20 job into a £200 one!


EDIT: Oh yes, it only seems to occur under about 1,500 RPM. Anything above that and it's sweet as a nut what's been coated in sugar and dipped in honey.


EDIT: I think I'm going to check my valve clearances tomorrow. I guess it could be the cam chain, but I'll have to see what tomorrow brings...

 

The clutch is on the opposite side to the gear lever, so the right or offside, when sat on the bike. The clutch cable is on the left.. its behind the largest cover and oil sight glass.

Posted
First of all, my bike's a 1999 Suzuki GSX600F. Just over 34,000 on the clock. The oil was changed around 100 miles ago, it's semi-synthetic.


So I just went out to check my tyre pressures and because I've not used the bike for a few days I thought I'd fire it up to keep everything running smoothly. I got it warmed up and took the choke off, was about to shut it down but then started hearing a rattling/ratcheting noise coming from the right side of the bike :?


I got down low and at first thought it could be the fairing all loose or something. It's not, so I got down a bit lower. Then I remembered I'd got a bit of water in the exhaust when I was cleaning it last week and it ran a bit lumpy for a few miles but then was OK. Then I thought "ah, it could be the clutch getting a bit worn", but the clutch is on the other side. So now I'm starting to get a bit worried! Could it be something in the exhaust, or is it going to be something a bit more sinister? It's definately (probably) on the right side of the bike, not the middle and it seems low down and to the side. It might be fine after a short ride on it...but I don't want to risk turning a £20 job into a £200 one!


EDIT: Oh yes, it only seems to occur under about 1,500 RPM. Anything above that and it's sweet as a nut what's been coated in sugar and dipped in honey.


EDIT: I think I'm going to check my valve clearances tomorrow. I guess it could be the cam chain, but I'll have to see what tomorrow brings...

 

The clutch is on the opposite side to the gear lever, so the right or offside, when sat on the bike. The clutch cable is on the left.. its behind the largest cover and oil sight glass.

 

Oh piss!


Maybe it is the clutch then, what a silly mistake to make :oops: This noise has started happening all of a sudden, no quiet build up at all...do you reckon it could be the clutch then? Like I said it only happens at low revs, and is mainly audible while idling.


@ kja.busa - Yeah I'm actually halfway through checking the valve clearances! I started at 11 this morning and it's now nearly 4pm! I'm having a little break because my back hurts. As for the balancing the carbs I did those last month (after a few attempts :mrgreen: ) and the noise is more clicky/metally/ratcheting rather than the chugga-te-chug-chug of out of sync carbs...


I spose It'll be the clutch that I'll have a look at next then. Just got to put everything back together! The one plus is that my time wasn't completely wasted today - all the valves were good except number 4 which was far, far too tight on both the intake and exhaust. Suppose I should be glad I checked it really, could have ended up costing a fair bit in the future :cheers:

Posted

It sounds a lot like this, only much quieter (!)


">


The other thing is that it doesn't seem to make any difference when I pull the clutch lever in :? If it is the clutch what do you reckon I'd need to replace? Just the plates, the springs or the entire clutch including basket (or is there no way of knowing without checking?). As you've guessed I've not done it before...but that won't stop me :D

Posted
It sounds a lot like this, only much quieter (!)


">


The other thing is that it doesn't seem to make any difference when I pull the clutch lever in :? If it is the clutch what do you reckon I'd need to replace? Just the plates, the springs or the entire clutch including basket (or is there no way of knowing without checking?). As you've guessed I've not done it before...but that won't stop me :D

 

it could be you have a broken spring, but you'd need to have a look for sure


if you keep the bike on the sidestand, theres no need to drop the oil, when doing the clutch, as it pools in the left side.. if its a broken spring, then i'd drop the oil, along with any broken pieces....

you might want to have a read here..

http://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/view ... dit+clutch

Posted

Cheers Simon - once again proving to be a veritable fountain of knowledge :)


I'll get it onto the side stand next time I go downstairs - off out to Tesco in a bit so will check the clutch when I get back. Fingers crossed (until they almost break) that it is just a spring. It'd make sense considering it's happened all of a sudden.


I've just finished putting everything back together! I think that's almost a new personal record for time spent (almost) continuously on a bike! I only stopped for going to B&Q 4 TIMES (!!) to get tools and replace bolts, jubilee clips, etc. (each one more frustrating than the last). In total it's 11 hours 8-)


I'll let everyone know how it all pans out when I get this clutch opened up...

Posted

I had to laugh today. I spent another few hours completely disassembling my clutch. Everything looked OK, no burnt or warped plates, so I put it all back together again. Fired the bike up and sure enough after a couple of minutes on the choke I turn the choke off and back comes the rattle!


"Enough of this shit" I think to my usually calm self and get down on my knees and press my face to the ground to try and get closer to the action under my bike. I put my hand on the exhaust to see if I can feel a rattle...nothing. I put my hand on the clutch case...nothing. I sit there a moment longer with my arse in the air, hands by my sides and face on the ground looking up, only to see.............a rattling jubilee clip attached to the downpipes/link pipe! I couldn't believe it. I grabbed it and the rattling noise stopped instantly. What glee I did feel as I stood up and did a little dance and laughed madly to myself.


I feel ever so slightly very silly now, that after 14 hours of taking stuff apart and messing about it was just a jubilee clip :oops: No matter, it's all grist to my mill, strings to my bow, and other obscure learning curve mantras, etc etc and at least I got those valves sorted :D


Thanks for the help guys.

Posted
I had to laugh today. I spent another few hours completely disassembling my clutch. Everything looked OK, no burnt or warped plates, so I put it all back together again. Fired the bike up and sure enough after a couple of minutes on the choke I turn the choke off and back comes the rattle!


"Enough of this sh*t" I think to my usually calm self and get down on my knees and press my face to the ground to try and get closer to the action under my bike. I put my hand on the exhaust to see if I can feel a rattle...nothing. I put my hand on the clutch case...nothing. I sit there a moment longer with my ar*e in the air, hands by my sides and face on the ground looking up, only to see.............a rattling jubilee clip attached to the downpipes/link pipe! I couldn't believe it. I grabbed it and the rattling noise stopped instantly. What glee I did feel as I stood up and did a little dance and laughed madly to myself.


I feel ever so slightly very silly now, that after 14 hours of taking stuff apart and messing about it was just a jubilee clip :oops: No matter, it's all grist to my mill, strings to my bow, and other obscure learning curve mantras, etc etc and at least I got those valves sorted :D


Thanks for the help guys.

 


Its a steep learning curve mate, no-one said it was easy either!!

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Clothing
  • Welcome to The Motorbike Forum.

    Sign in or register an account to join in.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Guidelines We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Please Sign In or Sign Up