03 11S. Clacking noise from clutch area when hot.

[HerrFlick]

Hi All.

Looking for ideas from knowledgeable souls to help me get to bottom of this:

I've eliminated these sources of clacking noises:
- cam chain tensioners/guides.
- timing chain tensioner/guide (front of motor).
- TB butterfly spindle bearings - L & R.
- TB vacuum imbalance.

Symptoms:
- starting from cold: no noises; idles like a sewing machine.
- as engine warms up, clacking noise slowly appears, and gets progressively louder until engine is hot.
- when riding, noise is quite audible, but only on deceleration, below 3000 rpm.
- feel the clacking through the bars - fairly strongly.
- clutch operates smoothly. No change to noise whether clutch in or out

Oops: left out that the noise is coming from the clutch housing, immediately behind the engine.

Have stethoscoped poor old HerrFlick to death, and now fearing I might have to perform major explorative surgery.
Has been driving me even more batty than usual. Arrrgggh.

37,000 mi. (67,000 km).

Cheers and thanks.

John C.

[nab 301]

Not much help I guess but I posted on here about engine noises at 65 k miles , did some investigation , replaced a camshaft and followers , engine is still noisy at 115k miles.... I looked at lots ,pushrods with pressed on ends (apparently the ends can become loose when they heat up) replaced with one piece , no different , did lots of reading on other forums , possible worn camshaft carrier , never got around to replacing...
I'm not sure about the vibes through the bars , but noise increasing with temperature would suggest something oil related.
Over the years people on here have reported that gearbox rebuilds with new bearings have resulted in a much smoother bike but any noises on these bikes usually disappear when the clutch lever is pulled.

[HerrFlick]

Not much help I guess but I posted on here about engine noises at 65 k miles , did some investigation , replaced a camshaft and followers , engine is still noisy at 115k miles.... I looked at lots ,pushrods with pressed on ends (apparently the ends can become loose when they heat up) replaced with one piece , no different , did lots of reading on other forums , possible worn camshaft carrier , never got around to replacing...
I'm not sure about the vibes through the bars , but noise increasing with temperature would suggest something oil related.
Over the years people on here have reported that gearbox rebuilds with new bearings have resulted in a much smoother bike but any noises on these bikes usually disappear when the clutch lever is pulled.

Oops: left out that the noise is coming from the clutch housing, immediately behind the engine
Don't know if this helps.

Thanks Nigel.

[Mitch1100]

Driveshaft bearing?

[HerrFlick]

Driveshaft bearing?

Thanks Mitch.

I've decided to bite the 10mm socket and remove gearbox etc so I'll let you know.
Shouldn't take very long ......


Cheers
John C.