I have gone into my clutch on an 06 VFR with about 3,700 miles in order to research a buzzing sound that I hear at around 4000 rpm and found that the clutch lifter rod has some burring and wear lines on it. I have included some pictures. In the one with the full rod area A heading towards area B has 2 etched black lines that do not catch a fingernail, a smooth discolored area and 2 small gouges that barely catch a fingernail. These are seen better in area A closeup shots. Area B is a lightly burred area that entends between the 2 arrows in the middle of the rod and heading towards area C there a two gouges almost in the same place and size as the ones in area A. The rod when you run it across 2 glass tables roll unevenly and it is pretty clear that it is out of true. I am going to replace it of course but does anyone have any ideas as to what may have caused this?
The 3rd gens have a vibration around 5k rpm that seems to come out the fuel cap, or you can feel it in the footpegs, etc. There is lots of discussion about buzzing and vibration of viffers in some threads. The clutch push rod is not held by any sort of precision bearings but spins about the long slender axis as it rides in the inner bore hole thru the middle of the main shaft in the transmission. Those two grooves are machined into the rod to pickup and sling oil in the bore to lubricate the sliding contact between the rod and the rotating shaft during clutch activation and release. Your rod looks normal and no need to replace unless you just want to.
Thanks for the reply. I noticed while researching on the web and saw some used ebay rods that the markings are typical and normal. A new one is about $15.00, not that expensive and since I suspect that this one is not true I will replace as a precaution. Again Thanks for the info.
