Clutch slip - high pitched grinding sound and grab

Hi,

I have a 2000 VFR with 50,000km on clock.

Have a strange clutch issue. 99% of the time the clutch operates fine - no worries at all. However, from time to time, when I am after a quicker take-off and get the revs up a little and slip the clutch a little more this problem sometimes occurs, but only very occasionally. It seems to occur when the revs are higher before the clutch is fully released, like when taking off on a slope.

The clutch totally slips, making a fairly high pitched, grinding, screaming kind of sound and then grabs if I don't pull in the clutch. It's hard to describe the sound but it's loud and you feel it not just hear it.

Any ideas?

pete
Sydney Australia

 

This one is too easy.

Replace the clutch. If you know there is something significantly wrong with it, why waste time? Simply buy a clutch kit and change it.

I am changing a clutch in the next few days. It's on my Hawk GT, not a VFR but I really don't see how much difference there could be. I'll let you know how it goes.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

KC,

On the hawk it was pretty easy to get the clutch apart... once we followed these directions:

Clutch Replacement made easy - Honda Hawk GT Forum

and used an impact wrench on the clutch basket nut. %&@$%@ broke a tower off the basket the first time we tried to take it apart. That was a real joy to deal with....

 

I couldn't take any photos since my hands were covered with Rotella T, but changing a clutch on a Hawk GT is a 1 hour job. The single hardest part was cleaning the old gasket off.

The reason I changed the clutch when the bike only has less than 10000 miles you ask? The original owner told me he used "cheap, regular car oil I get from the gas station. I only changed it twice. I just put some Slick 50 in there to make sure." I swear to all that's holy he did tell me he put Slick 50 in the bike. I changed the oil immediately after getting the bike home but I guess the damage was done. There was no noticeable wear inside the motor & everything looked clean & shiny. The friction disks were black & smooth to the touch. That would explain the squealing.

Every bike will have differences when it comes to getting to the clutch. Changing the actual disks & springs will be the same on almost all of them.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Mine has done it occasionally for years, but more of a grinding grab without the high pitched sound. I believe its just slippage from the stock clutch. It usually happens to me when I dont let the cluthch out enough or on a hill or just as you described. 2000, VFR 800, 44k miles

 

In had the same problem when cold, once it was hot problem went away.
Replaced clutch friction plates and springs and spring bolts and problem went away.
It is not hard at all. took me around 1 hour, and that was after having to run to Boltmaster to buy new high tension bolts as the original were very streched.
All up it cost me $60.00.
If you place bike on side stand you don't have to drain the oil. I also didn't replace the gasket as it came out in one piece.
Once you remove all the bolts from the casing ( a cordless driver/drill with hex drives makes this very fast), tap it with a rubber mallet to break the seal before you try pulling the cover out.
If you have someone to help, they can hold the case so you don't have to remove the pulse generator pick up from the cover.
I'm making it sound harder to do than it actually is.
Have a go, it is easy and fast/cheap.

 

I just replaced my clutch the other week ecause of slippage. Easy job. Make sure you buy a new gasket before you start though cos likelyhood is that the old one wont come off in one piece.
Also you might want to bleed the clutch and/or replace the clutch fluid, in case that isnt helping.
While doing that poke (gently) the hole inside the master cylinder as blockage there can cause slippage.

 

Be sure to inspect the fingers on the basket for wear, sounds like you may have a disc hanging up in a groove worn into the fingers.

 

So who makes a good clutch set for the VFR? I think Ill do mine before the trip.

 

I think the best bang for your buck is stock plates with heavier springs.