sometimes clutch lever grinds?

hey guys. I noticed sometimes when im riding the bike. when i pull in the clutch all the way the last inch or saw i hear this grinding noise from the lever. It never seems to effect the actual clutch feel or engagement. but its quite loud. and then ill notice it goes away completely. The fluid look farily dark and im thinking about bleeding new fluid in, thinking maybe theres air in the line. but the noise makes me nervous. any ideas? thanks

 

Check your chain...............The last time I heard griding noise when apply the clutch that was from my chain it was loose and hiting the chain guard while in motion.

 

Does the lever make noise when you pull it in when the bike is off?

 

Not likely to be any hydraulic problem, not fluid, not air. Remove, clean, and lubricate pivot bolt, and put a dab of grease on the end of the mc piston rod where the lever contacts it.

 

no it has never made the noise with the bike off. only noise is the click from the clutch switch. It only does it when the bike is running, and its not the chain because its done it at a stop light. that when i really notice it because theres no wind noise. and squirrelman thanks ill def. check the pivot. I assume its behind the fairing.

 

Sounds to me like you've got clutch/release assembly problems... How many miles are on the bike?

 

Mine makes the same noise, It's a 99 with 27,600 miles. I also notice it at low speeds, stop signs etc.. I found out that it is the flapper valve in the air box. The test for it is to start the bike let it run for a minute or so to build up vaccum then turn the bike off. Turn the key back to the run position put the bike in gear and slowly release the lever to see if it still makes the noise. Mine does it with the bike off, it will be alot quieter, but it is still there. I almost did not buy my bike because of the sound, but the seller and I did alot of research on the internet until we came across this test to find out if it was the flapper. Hopefully this helps, aparantly it is a fairly common problem.

 

bike only has 21k miles on it. and vandal05 thanks ill give that a try.

 

A quick fix for the flapper valve is to pull the vacuum line and plug it, then it just stays open all the time so you can hear the sweet music.

 

Mine is doing this as well and where is the flapper valve and does anyone have the part number? ....When I look it up under air box parts there is nothing named flapper valve ???

 

Its right underneath the gas tank(pull the front two screws and tilt it back) right on top of the airbox. If you pull the vacuum line it will just stay open(they have it close off so the bike is quieter but I don't notice much difference). Just make sure you plug the vacuum line with a bolt or something so you don't have a vacuum leak.

 

The correct Honda terminology for part number 8 in this parts pic is the "Diaphragm",in slang terminology it's more commonly known as the "flapper valve" Hondared123.

The part number for the "flapper valve" is 17238-MW4-003.

 

Thanks guys I will give that a try....From what I have read I think that's the problem. It shifts perfect....BTY why not just replace the valve ?

 

Cause the bike doesn't need it and sounds better with it disconnected...