Clutch vibration/noise when in neutral

This new to me 2008 800 ABS model has some growly/vibration at idle when in neutral and the clutch is released. When the cutch is actuated the noise/vibration goers away. This is the original clutch I am assuming as the original owner only put 4200 kms on it before I bought it. I have read some comments indicating that this is a normal v4 noise, but I am not convinced, possibly springs?? I have next to no experience maintaining a motorcycle as this is only my second one. I have spent countless hours pulling wrenches on my four wheeled machines gas/diesel cars and trucks and would bet my left best friend that this is a pilot bearing in an automotive application...That said, minimal experience with a wet clutch. I did an oil and coolant change, ran the Honda coolant and Motul 7100 10w40 in the engine. Waiting for a vac pump for the clutch and brake fluid change. Thanks in advance for help on this

 

A bit of clutch rattle in neutral is nothing to be concerned about, especially as it stops when you pull the lever in. Just get on and ride.

 

Terry is 100% correct. Especially with the mileage you report. Normal.

ALL of my current V4s (which is 12 by the way) exhibit this to varying degrees. And V4 Hondas are not the only ones, all manual bikes will have it. You just can't hear or feel it much on some. Just Google "motorcycle clutch rumble" and see how many forums from all the makes have this inquiry. Ever hear a dry clutch Ducati idling in neutral? Ours are just bathed in oil under a thick aluminum cover and it dampens a lot of the noises.

 

Well gents, thanks for the quick reply, I will focus on fuel tank issue now then.

 

FWIW, I've never heard a wet clutch rattle in neutral. Dry clutch, all the time, but IMO pretty unusual in a wet clutch. Of course, JMO.

 

You won't necessarily "hear" a "rattle" on a wet clutch. It's more of a slight rumble you feel and a faint noise that goes away when you pull in the clutch. Especially if you are looking / hearing for it.

I have 4 of the exact same model / year VFR, and they are all different in the amount of noise they make (or don't). Ironically the 13K and 17K engines are way noisier that my 28K and 55K units. Been completely thru them all, valve adjusts and new clutches. No surprises or issues.

This is very common and congrats if your model bike doesn't do it much. Manufacturing tolerances and normal wear add up differently on every bike.

 

Thanks for clarifying that it might not be a rattle, but more something you'd feel, rather than hear. I still have never noticed it in any of the wet clutch bikes I've owned. Considering how a wet clutch works, I'm thinking it would be transmission gears/shafts since it doesn't happen with the clutch lever pulled in. That would disengage the transmission, and that would be where you'd have the rattle with a dry clutch.

 

You're right. It is the unloaded gears with lash connecting the unloaded clutch basket to the crank creating a rumble noise (or more) that can sound alarming to some not expecting it.

Congrats you've never felt it, but it is still a thing.

 

sometimes the noise well be less when throttle plates are accurately synched.

 

I had my VTR1000F clutch apart because I thought there was something wrong with it, and all I could find was some looseness in the backlash springs that live in the back of the basket. Pretty sure that if these had decent tension then the clutch rattle would have been dealt to but the clutch hub is riveted together. Apart from the sound it worked perfectly at 80,000km when I sold the bike.