Can bad clutch components result is "knocking" noise?

[SuperCell]

A quick rundown here:

1986 GSXR-750. After getting my carbs back on, the engine ran great. Very smooth, no noise, etc.

Today, I go to road test it for the very first time, and the bike dies when shifting into first. Obviously the clutch wasn't disengaging. So I tighten the cable until the bike will finally stay running in gear (with clutch pulled in), but then the clutch slipped while riding!

I fiddled with it some more, and now there is a horrendous "knocking" or "rapping" noise from the engine area.

It would be easy to say "engine shot", but keep in mind no such noise existed until I started messing the with clutch.

So, is it even possible to get a horrendous knocking nose from the clutch?

Thanks.

[tone]

A bit of a strange one this :-?

The only reason i can think of for a clutch to suddenly start knocking is because the centre bearing has decided to collapse & ive only ever seen that on very badly abused bikes, i would have thought that any other problem that could cause the noise if it is clutch related would be something that got worse over a period of time.
All that is said presuming the clutch & basket etc where fitted properly in the first place

The only way to be sure of whats happening is to strip the clutch out & have a look

[BentRod]

more info.
when does it knock? all the time? or just when you hold in the clutch with the shifter Not in neutral? how fast is the knock at idle? does it only knock when you let out the clutch?

the most violent thing a properly working clutch might do is flutter if you are riding the clutch, and not allowing it to fully engage (Great way to burn out your clutch plates if you do it too much)
When the clutch plates flutter it makes a rapid knocking sound and can shake the bike quite a bit. to remedy, let your clutch out.

[SuperCell]

It does it all the time.

I pulled the clutch cover, and couldn't find anything out of the ordinary.

I can't believe this engine is knocking as bad as it is.

I guess that will be a lesson never to buy a "project bike" without either hearing it run, or being fully prepared for the possibility of rebuilding the engine.

I've got about $2,500 tied up in this damn thing, and I have no idea what I'm going to do.

[Billy Ricks]

I just picked up the same model a month or two ago. Fotunately it was running and had current tags so I could test ride it. Engine is strong though cosmetically it needs help.

[BentRod]

question
what do you mean by the clutch slipped while riding?

[SuperCell]

question
what do you mean by the clutch slipped while riding?

You would wind the engine up, but your speed would be close to nothing.

Anyway, I'm thinking about pulling this engine tomarrow night, and getting it mostly apart over the weekend.

The engine itself is a 1989 750 Katana engine. Does anyone know if the Katana engines were mostly the same as the GSX-R engines?

I've got a GSX-R engine manual, and was hoping it would all apply to the Katna engine as well.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Did you actually pull the clutch apart or just take the cover off. Have you tried to back the adjustment off to where it was to start & check the noise

[SuperCell]

Did you actually pull the clutch apart or just take the cover off. Have you tried to back the adjustment off to where it was to start & check the noise

Got about as far as taking the pressure-plate off.

Yes, I backed it all the way off, and the noise is still there.

This is very strange. The engine sounded great just running it in my garage. As soon as I road-tested it, it started knocking.

I want to pull this engine, but it seems finding something as simple as a gasket set is a chore.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there is very little aftermarket support for late-80's GSX-R's/Katana's, no?

I'm not about to pull this engine if rebuild parts are impossible to find. If OEM is the only option, the dealer will eat my wallet alive.

Perhaps I could part it out, and maybe look into a new bike, though going into debt sucks.

[Billy Ricks]

The GSXR and U.S. Katana were built around the same basic engine. The Kat was detuned a bit to make it more civil on the street. Best advice for cheap parts is Ebay or a boneyard.

[JayH]

Let us know what you find out when you tear into it this weekend.

[tone]

ive been running these engines in a few of my projects for quite a few years & never had any issues getting parts here in the uk so if i can help please let me know

you are right in assuming the 600/750f etc engines are closely related to the gsxr/ bandit oil colled engines but there are subtle differances head cams gears & clutches mainly

if i was looking at the bike i'd pull the clutch down completely before stripping the whole engine unless there are serious issues elsewhere

tone :-)

[SuperCell]

Let us know what you find out when you tear into it this weekend.

will do.

Thanks everyone for the information.

[BentRod]

hmm.. so the engine is reving up and running fine, but no power is getting to the final drive?
if it's not the clutch the you've probably stripped a gear (teeth or dogs). I don't know if your engine is prone to false neutrals, but I think its time to drain the oil, pull the engine, and remove the oil pan.
as the oil drains, run it through a strainer, look for bits of gear.

[Billy Ricks]

Before you do a full teardown take a look at the cam chain tensioner.