New Rattle -- 79 GS1000L

[Guest]

Well I downshifted hard into 1st gear yesterday while slamming on the brakes when the car in front of me decided to stop suddenly without a blinker to get into a parking spot.

Anyway, it felt like the engine did not brake as hard as ususal and I heard a kind of spinning / rattling sound. Then when I rode the remaining 1 mile home, there is a new loud rattle while disengaging the clutch in 1st gear, between upshifts slightly, and prominently on downshift. The trans engaged without slip althrough I babied it the rest of the way.

I'm thinking the clutch hub nut is the first culprit to check, rather than the starter clutch. It does not sound like when I had a loose roller in old starter clutch a couple years back.

Any insights are greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much.

[Nessism]

I believe you are on the right path in checking the clutch. The chain drive 1000 clutch hubs are known to rattle, and the nut often loosens too. Pulling the cover is easy as long as you have an impact driver to get out the Phillips head screws. If the clutch hub nut is tight (unlikely), you will need either a large rattle gun or a clutch hub holder tool before you can remove the nut.

Good luck

[tpalmer1359]

Well the nut and basket were tight as can be. I took it apart anyway. Everything looks perfect and all plates at 2.9mm.

Digging into the starter clutch. I can feel a small impact coming from the inside of the left side case when the bike is idling. I bet the sharp downshift at high RPM ito 1st did a number on the starter clutch and let a roller loose.

[tpalmer1359]

Darn loose starter clutch and free roller. Everything back together with red locktight and air impact wrench. Now the engine just makes sweet valve and exhaust music.