Disconcerting clutch rattle

[Gary400/4]

Hi everyone, good news and not so good news. I've got my 400/4 running firing on all 4 cylinders. Albeit with a bit of fuel leakage from one carburettor. It was holding steady on idle with a bit of choke on. At 1200 rpm I slackened the cam chain adjuster bolt to take up the slack. This quitened the engine noticeably. However, the quiet running was being punctuated with an annoying, Clutch rattle, which quietened when I pulled the lever in. I daresay when the bike is running in gear this intrusion won't be noticeable? I am not far off the limit on clutch adjustment, and I am presuming my clutch friction plates and any thrust washers are getting past their best. Time to buy replacements?

Gary

[Nurse Julie]

Sounds like the usual clutch basket rattle to me. It can be sorted by changing the cush rubbers, if you can find anyone manufacturing them, which I doubt. Mine does the same, as long as the rattle goes when you increase the revs, don't worry about it, its not doing any harm.

[K2-K6]

Ordinarily the rattle is the gearbox itself,  not a fault as such, but disconnects the gearbox when you pull the clutch lever to stop it driving. Gearbox is largely not rotating at that point and noise lessens.

Rattle is made ultimately by uneven running causing the gearbox to clatter a bit.

Route to refinement is getting carbs well setup to give you very even power pulses,  and hence reduce any clattering.

Sounds like clutch is reasonably ok as it is,  you'll be able to check further when riding to see if it doesn't slip under load.

[Nurse Julie]

Ordinarily the rattle is the gearbox itself,  not a fault as such, but disconnects the gearbox when you pull the clutch lever to stop it driving. Gearbox is largely not rotating at that point and noise lessens.

Rattle is made ultimately by uneven running causing the gearbox to clatter a bit.

Route to refinement is getting carbs well setup to give you very even power pulses,  and hence reduce any clattering.

Sounds like clutch is reasonably ok as it is,  you'll be able to check further when riding to see if it doesn't slip under load.

Yes Nigel, there is that as well. It will do no harm changing clutch plates but may not reduce the noise by much, if at all.

[K2-K6]

I crossed over with you there Julie, think you're faster typing than me 

You're reason of course is part of it that I missed. 

[davefirestorm]

Took my new 550F2 back to dealer in 1977 because of the rattle and was told  “they all do that mate”

[Bryanj]

Yup they do.