Clutch vibration

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rick · #1 Post by **rick** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:22 am

Help!

I have an annoying problem... it manifested itself around a week ago when I noticed that when I was in gear at lights, with the clutch pulled in, the bike would move forward ever so slightly, like someone nudges me from behind.

This morning I've suddenly noticed that when the clutch lever is either just held (hand resting on it), or when it is slightly pulled in (not quite engaged, but just riding the clutch), there is a lot of vibration. Also, when pulling off from standing the bike judders, horrible feeling...

Any ideas?

I haven't bled the system for maybe a year (I replaced the seal last Easter or so, and I haven't topped up the fluid or changed it since) and its nicely black now. I was planning on changing the fluid soon when I do a mini service (to include new tyres, rear sprocket, bled all hydraulics and oil/filter change) so I'm hoping thats all it is.

When I first took the bike there was some clutch slip, so I roughened up the plates and there have been no problems since. Is this problem I'm having a possible pre-cursor to needing a replacement clutch basket/springs?

rick · #2 Post by **rick** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:40 am

Ok, got home done a little more research and took the thing apart. Apparently it may be the clutch release bearing which only doesn't move when the clutch is engaged (lever pulled in) and this is when there is no vibration. Read some stuff here and also from AF1.

So, having taken it apart I noticed that there was some swarf on the inside of the inner race (see picture below). The bearing also feels a little rough, certainly not smooth.

What do you think? New bearing? That seems like the logical option to me... looks like I'll be getting the train to work for the next week or so until I can a). get a part here in NZ and b). have time to fit it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwsims1978/6796791008/

D-Rider · #3 Post by **D-Rider** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:22 am

Keith (HisNibbs) went through this and posted up about it. You should be able to find his comments on sorting it out.
But yes, if there is any doubt about the bearing, I'd replace it .... and there seems to be good grounds for doubt about the bearing.

rick · #4 Post by **rick** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 3:32 pm

Thanks for that.

Actually just got off the phone and ordered a new clutch release bearing an new side stand wiring loom from Yorkshire. Bearing $22, new loom $42, delivery $20... all in, $84. Turnaround is 10 working days (they need to order the bearing).

Priced one up yesterday in the local (and apparently the largest) Aprilia dealership in NZ. Bearing $80, didn't bother with new loom (probably scary money), $10 delivery... but 40 working days from Italy!!

I suppose I shouldn't really complain... mine is probably one of only a handful of Falcos in NZ, so why should they stock my parts?! I suppose this is the price you (don't necessarily!) have to pay for exclusivity.

Dalemac · #5 Post by **Dalemac** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:54 pm

They need to order the bearing? They had to do that for me at the start of the year (which took over 3 weeks) - cant see how they have ran out again.

I didnt evd up needing it though, so it is sat around doing nothing...

rick · #6 Post by **rick** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:58 pm

he said it should arrive middle/end of next week, and then they'll post the lot.

Do you mean to say you have one lying around that you may not want?! Pop it in an envelope, I can PayPal ya ;)

Dalemac · #7 Post by **Dalemac** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 4:30 pm

rick wrote:he said it should arrive middle/end of next week, and then they'll post the lot.

Do you mean to say you have one lying around that you may not want?! Pop it in an envelope, I can PayPal ya ;)

Yeah, thats exactly what he told me, too!

If you desperately need it, i can post it to you, no problem, but i will need you to post me yours when it arrives, as mine will need replacing at the next service.
Dale

fatboy · #8 Post by **fatboy** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:39 pm

If the bearing is in a hidious state its worth checking that its still a good tight fit in its housing. Its not unknown for the bearing to partially seize and the outer race to spin in its housing
If thisis the case you will see telltale evidence when you knock the old one out (polished marks ect)
If so a few gentle centre punch marks in the bearing housing solves the problem
Gentle heat when removing/replacing bearing will make the job easier

rick · #9 Post by **rick** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:12 pm

Thanks for that dale but don't worry about it... it means the bike is off the road for two/three weeks but that only is a pain for next week, off to Sydney for work for two weeks after that. Its only been a couple of days without the bike but its killing me already.

I have posted a pic above fatboy... the bearing appears to work, but feels very rough... the symptoms have only just started so I've probably caught it before the bearing gets much worse.

rick · #10 Post by **rick** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 9:19 am

one quick question for you peeps... when I opened the clutch to roughen up the plates two years ago with rubber diaphragm (the outer part you see when you take the clutch cover off) was clean and oil free... this time it was covered a bit in oil... anything to worry about? Seemed to emanate from the breather to the crankcase?

GregD-UK · #11 Post by **GregD-UK** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 12:21 pm

Hi all,

Rick, you might want to check your non-return valve on the bleader tube

I replaced mine last year when I replaced my perished diaghragm....

After all, mine was 10yrs old, that type of rubber goes brittle after time alas

Butinol rubber is like that. I work on alot of boilers whose diaghragms perish quite regular

rick · #12 Post by **rick** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:16 am

oooh i'll need to look at that... where is the valve? in the tubing or in the clutch cover?

D-Rider · #13 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Mar 06, 2012 12:24 am

In the tubing

rick · #14 Post by **rick** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 5:46 am

Hi guys,

Update... parts finally arrived today (bearing and replacement sidestand switch) and I'm going to fit the bearing tonight and fire the old girl up for the first time in 3 weeks or so... hopefully this will sort my problem.

Lots to do after that, but all after my MOT on Saturday!

Will let you know how I get on.

rick · #15 Post by **rick** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:32 pm

All sorted, didn't take long... put the bearing in the freezer beforehand and it went in no problems.

What a difference!

The first thing I noticed was how free spinning the new bearing was... the old one felt rough and it felt as if the inner and outer race were scraping against each other. The gear changes feel much better now, including getting into neutral (which suprised me)...

Another big difference I've noticed is that there is no longer a difference in noise when the clutch lever is pulled in... I've always been used to everything sounding quieter when the clutch is disengaged!

Anyhoo time to enjoy being on the bike again!

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