Clutch noise

Alexis_07ninja · October 23rd, 2023, 06:45 PM

On my 2007 ninja 250 someone pointed out that my clutch was rather noisy when the bike is idling in neutral and the clutch is engaged (lever out). We thought this was due to the hub nut being loose but after some searching I realized it was the rubber “bumpers” inside the clutch basket. I found the rubber remains of these bumpers in my oil screen about 5 months ago, not knowing what it was until now. My question is: will the absence of these bumpers do any real damage, or are they usually just replaced because of the annoying noise? Replacing the entire clutch basket is fairly expensive new, but I’m not guaranteed that the bumpers will be intact on a used basket. So far I haven’t noticed any damage in these last few months and actually don’t know how long the bumpers had been bad, since it was my first time checking the oil screen.

Mohawk · October 25th, 2023, 02:32 PM

If its a 2007 pre-gen then its a known fault that the clutch dampers get brittle then break up. Then the clutch gets noisy & it sounds like bad big end bearings. I replaced the complete clutch on mine with a 2008+ model one which has buffer springs like most clutches, there is a thread on hear about it.

I don't believe the failed buffers cause any short term damage, but long term the lash may cause premature wear on the clutch basket due to the unbuffered knocking it gets.

October 23rd, 2023, 06:45 PM	#1
Alexis_07ninja ninjette.org newbie Name: Alexis Location: Tulsa, oklahoma Join Date: Feb 2023 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ninja 250 Posts: 2	Clutch noise On my 2007 ninja 250 someone pointed out that my clutch was rather noisy when the bike is idling in neutral and the clutch is engaged (lever out). We thought this was due to the hub nut being loose but after some searching I realized it was the rubber “bumpers” inside the clutch basket. I found the rubber remains of these bumpers in my oil screen about 5 months ago, not knowing what it was until now. My question is: will the absence of these bumpers do any real damage, or are they usually just replaced because of the annoying noise? Replacing the entire clutch basket is fairly expensive new, but I’m not guaranteed that the bumpers will be intact on a used basket. So far I haven’t noticed any damage in these last few months and actually don’t know how long the bumpers had been bad, since it was my first time checking the oil screen.

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October 25th, 2023, 02:32 PM	#2
Mohawk ninjette.org guru Name: Chris Location: Bristol, UK Join Date: Feb 2016 Motorcycle(s): ZZR250, VFR800 Posts: 478	If its a 2007 pre-gen then its a known fault that the clutch dampers get brittle then break up. Then the clutch gets noisy & it sounds like bad big end bearings. I replaced the complete clutch on mine with a 2008+ model one which has buffer springs like most clutches, there is a thread on hear about it. I don't believe the failed buffers cause any short term damage, but long term the lash may cause premature wear on the clutch basket due to the unbuffered knocking it gets.