Another clutch basket question

[Talon]

ok so before my clutch basket was making some noises and i was told to get it sent away for a rebuild, but the noises wheren't as bad after i took it apart and tightened the clutch hub nut, but the noises are coming back and i'm starting to feel it in my riding now and i'm wondering if the DIY clutch hub rebuild is a difficult project to do or should i send it away and pay an extra $150

I've been totally comfortable with all of the work that i've done to my bike so far and i've had my clutch apart previously as well, so whats the process that you go through with the DIY kit?

or could just getting the heavy duty clutch hub nut and new springs fix what i'm experiencing?

[chef1366]

Check the springs at the rear of the hub. Are they loose? I would worry about these spitting out and playing pinball around the oil pump and crank.
I got an APE HD clutch hub nut bolt and am happy with it. Also keep an eye on Ebay for some clutch hubs. I got a Vance and Hines for about $100.
If you need a hub to send out and don't want any down time I have an extra one. GS1100 sixteen valve.

[tfb]

I've got a page on doing this stuff here on my site.

Cheers,
Mike.

[chef1366]

I've got a page on doing this stuff here on my site.

Cheers,
Mike.

Good stuff Mike! :-D

[bryan]

Do GSs tend to have a little bit of clutch basket "rattle"? Both my GS550 and my 1100 seem to have a bit of a noise to them. Perhaps nothing like what Talon might be experiencing if he's this concerned, but I've always had a little bit of vibration at idle on my 550, and my new-to-me 1100 has a bit of it too.

On my 550, I replaced the springs (went back to half aftermarket, half NOS b/c it was too stiff), the nut seems to lock things tight, and I still have a little bit of a rattle at idle with the clutch in.

[tfb]

Most GS's have clutch rattle, along with many Jap bikes of the era. Minor rattle is de rigeur, as the plates rattle within the basket. It can usually be snuffed out by balancing the carbies (sounds illogical, but it works).

Extra rattle happens when the springs in the back of the clutch basket get shortened with age. Solution is to pull apart the clutch basket and either (i) install a clutch backing-plate kit with new springs, etc. or (ii) be a cheap-skate like me and pack out the existing springs with washers.