Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive
 

Subject: RE: Weekend fun....grabby clutches...and watching newbies wreck theirbikes

Author: Ian Adkins

Date: Sep 23, 2003, 6:41 AM

Post ID: 1714620625


John,

Ujoint was perfect on inspection when I had the engine out last time.
Anything is possible at this point and everything will be inspected upon
disassembly. My thoughts are that it is either something in the tranny, the
clutch plates (or parts in there), or a pinion in the rear drive. Engine
runs too well in neutral for it to be the cause. I just wish there was a
clear sign or someone out there that had experienced similar symptoms. I
know that when I find out what is causing this I will let the Loop world
know.

Thanks for the input...Ian

p.s. did I mention that the decals look terrific? I will get those on when I
am not worried about scrating them up as I remove the tank...again :-)

 -----Original Message-----
From: John Prusnek [mailto:spaj-@raex.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 9:03 AM
To: Loopfram-@topica.com
Subject: Weekend fun....grabby clutches...and watching newbies wreck
theirbikes


Ian:
Just a thought here, but you might think about the U-joint again,
perhaps it's binding only while under torque. You could use the old big
screwdriver to the ear trick and poke around listening for grinding
noises around the swingarm tunnel if you can get it to vibrate while
running on the center stand. Maybe pull the plugs, put it in 4th gear,
and rotate the whole thing with a big socket on the generator pulley nut
while holding on to the rear wheel, and listening around for funny noises.
This will probably take 3 people, which sounds like a party and an
extra 6-pack.

John Prusnek

 Clutch operation is
smooth but when I had the bike on the center
stand...running...and engaged
 the clutch the rear wheel would spin but there was a definate
binding as the
 wheel turned. Could my problem be with the rear drive unit? Ed and I pull
the rear wheel.....rotate the rear drive with no binding
whatsoever. We run
 the bike....engage the drive and it is smooth also. Wheel bearings rotate
freely....brake pads/assmebly is nice and tight. We remove the
top plug on
 the rear drive unit and look inside. The gears look perfect. No metal
shavings...no sign of wear. Binding is intermittent. Weird.
We reinstall the rear wheel.....it rotates smoothly. No binding in the

 Ujoint. When the bike is in neutral or gear engaged with clutch
lever pulled
 the wheel rotates smoothly. Weird.

I finally said screw it and decide to ride back with Ed a ways. Rode back
and could feel vibration at about 60mph. If I pull the clutch
in...vibration
 stops. Engage the clutch vibration comes back. OK....so the problem is in
the clutch I figure. Maybe the tranny? Time to pull the engine
again and be
 thankful that I have backup rides.

Looks like a call to Mark is in order....possible replacement of all the
clutch components....I mean everything?

I still can't figure this out. It is like nothing I have ever experienced
and one would think that this kind of problem would be easily
identifiable
 and fixable. Of course I will report anything learned and would
appreciate
 any further thoughts.

...Ian

 

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