8-9k, annoying clutch lever rattle

dimeified · August 30th, 2009, 12:27 PM

I read about it once on the forum, and sorta dismissed it, but now that I need it, i can't find it. Around 8-9k rpm, my clutch lever rattles like a son of a gun, and that is the rev range i like to be in when i cruise steady, so i find myself extending my index and middle finger forward to dampen the vibration. I looked and looked but i don't see how i can tighten the lever in the housing. The "squeeze" of the lever has a little bit of play, but also, has some up and down play. Have you guys had this problem? How have you solved it?
Thanks

kkim · August 30th, 2009, 05:27 PM

I always ride with my hand covering the clutch lever, so this has never been a problem for me.

dimeified · August 30th, 2009, 05:37 PM

Kelly, do you use an adjustable lever? I can't imagine hovering over the clutch with the stock lever its so far forward. I guess i follow the same principals with my hands as i do my feet. I keep my feet back on the pegs, the balls of my feet resting on them, when i need to shift or break i move my feet forward, same with my hands. Am i incorrect in doing so?

dimeified · August 30th, 2009, 05:49 PM

3 things, one, im 6'1, i have pretty big hands, and i still feel uncomfortable hovering the clutch every 8k pass. 2, i wonder if i should get a short lever, i dont mind keeping two fingers forward like i do now to dampen, and 3, i wonder why the brake doesnt do it and just the clutch does it?

kkim · August 30th, 2009, 06:13 PM

nope. stock lever. you need to adjust the position of the lever on the handlebar to fit your hand. try loosening the clutch lever base and move the clamp in and out/up and down till you can get the lever in the most comfortable position for your riding style. my hands are medium to large in glove sizing, so it's not about hand size, but making the bike/lever fit you.

It's a hold over from my dirt bike days where you ride with your hands on the clutch and brake lever as much as possible/constantly.

you can try tightening the nut on the bottom of the clutch lever pivot point, but it's not what that's for as you can only tighten it up to a certain point w/o binding. you don't want to tighten that as tight as you can... only slightly snug/sorta tight.

backinthesaddleagain · August 30th, 2009, 07:55 PM

my 2009 has up and down slop (6,600 miles) with bolt/nut tight, but doesn't make any vibration noise. windshield buzz at 5K rpm comes back ever 1,000 miles (guesss i should blue loctite them).

funny about keeping a finger or 2 on the clutch and brake levers. my years of dirtbiking has that ingrained in me. drove the MSF instructor nuts. he also demanded 4 fingers to stop. i figured rather than fight with him, just adjust my habits for 8 hours. although the MSF is worthwhile they don't take well to other opinions. maybe the instructors 700 lb (or more) HD needs all 4 fingers. he should ride the new HD XR1200 and see how 4 fingers on the brake works for him.

Slono · January 30th, 2012, 07:11 PM

I also saw that thread somewhere a while ago but never paid attention to it. I just decided to live with the rattle.

But I do recall the DIY poster putting a nylon washer between something to stop the rattling.

Found it:

CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE YOUR PEN15

csmith12 · January 30th, 2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slono

I also saw that thread somewhere a while ago but never paid attention to it. I just decided to live with the rattle.

But I do recall the DIY poster putting a nylon washer between something to stop the rattling.

Found it:

CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE YOUR PEN15

hahahahahaha!

Slono · January 30th, 2012, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

hahahahahaha!

In all seriousness though, that link leads to the correct DIY thread! LOL

August 30th, 2009, 12:27 PM	#1
dimeified ninjette.org guru Name: Lucas Location: Pompton Lakes, NJ Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Blue 250R Posts: 446	8-9k, annoying clutch lever rattle I read about it once on the forum, and sorta dismissed it, but now that I need it, i can't find it. Around 8-9k rpm, my clutch lever rattles like a son of a gun, and that is the rev range i like to be in when i cruise steady, so i find myself extending my index and middle finger forward to dampen the vibration. I looked and looked but i don't see how i can tighten the lever in the housing. The "squeeze" of the lever has a little bit of play, but also, has some up and down play. Have you guys had this problem? How have you solved it? Thanks __________________________________________________ 2 thumbs up

August 30th, 2009, 05:37 PM	#3
dimeified ninjette.org guru Name: Lucas Location: Pompton Lakes, NJ Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Blue 250R Posts: 446	Kelly, do you use an adjustable lever? I can't imagine hovering over the clutch with the stock lever its so far forward. I guess i follow the same principals with my hands as i do my feet. I keep my feet back on the pegs, the balls of my feet resting on them, when i need to shift or break i move my feet forward, same with my hands. Am i incorrect in doing so? __________________________________________________ 2 thumbs up

August 30th, 2009, 05:49 PM	#4
dimeified ninjette.org guru Name: Lucas Location: Pompton Lakes, NJ Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Blue 250R Posts: 446	3 things, one, im 6'1, i have pretty big hands, and i still feel uncomfortable hovering the clutch every 8k pass. 2, i wonder if i should get a short lever, i dont mind keeping two fingers forward like i do now to dampen, and 3, i wonder why the brake doesnt do it and just the clutch does it? __________________________________________________ 2 thumbs up

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August 30th, 2009, 05:27 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I always ride with my hand covering the clutch lever, so this has never been a problem for me.

August 30th, 2009, 06:13 PM	#5
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	nope. stock lever. you need to adjust the position of the lever on the handlebar to fit your hand. try loosening the clutch lever base and move the clamp in and out/up and down till you can get the lever in the most comfortable position for your riding style. my hands are medium to large in glove sizing, so it's not about hand size, but making the bike/lever fit you. It's a hold over from my dirt bike days where you ride with your hands on the clutch and brake lever as much as possible/constantly. you can try tightening the nut on the bottom of the clutch lever pivot point, but it's not what that's for as you can only tighten it up to a certain point w/o binding. you don't want to tighten that as tight as you can... only slightly snug/sorta tight.

August 30th, 2009, 07:55 PM	#6
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	my 2009 has up and down slop (6,600 miles) with bolt/nut tight, but doesn't make any vibration noise. windshield buzz at 5K rpm comes back ever 1,000 miles (guesss i should blue loctite them). funny about keeping a finger or 2 on the clutch and brake levers. my years of dirtbiking has that ingrained in me. drove the MSF instructor nuts. he also demanded 4 fingers to stop. i figured rather than fight with him, just adjust my habits for 8 hours. although the MSF is worthwhile they don't take well to other opinions. maybe the instructors 700 lb (or more) HD needs all 4 fingers. he should ride the new HD XR1200 and see how 4 fingers on the brake works for him.

January 30th, 2012, 07:11 PM	#7
Slono ninjette.org guru Name: Solon Location: Toronto, Ontario Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (sold), 2007 SV650s (deer wrecked), 2010 Suzuki SV650S Posts: 334	I also saw that thread somewhere a while ago but never paid attention to it. I just decided to live with the rattle. But I do recall the DIY poster putting a nylon washer between something to stop the rattling. Found it: CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE YOUR PEN15