Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: RIGS on October 09, 2011, 05:55:31 PM

Title: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: RIGS on October 09, 2011, 05:55:31 PM
While I am letting out the clutch and motoring away from a stop, the clutch makes a very odd groaning sound.
It happens randomly, riding single or 2 up....

Anyone else experience this?
Thoughts?

Its a 2010 with 21k miles....
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....
Post by: gonzosc1 on October 09, 2011, 06:16:43 PM
 :o
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....
Post by: MrPepsi on October 09, 2011, 07:49:21 PM
I assume you are speaking about the noise at the handlebars, not down where the clutch is in the engine.
Mine does this I think when its hot outside.
I believe this is just fluid getting through the reseviour.
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....
Post by: rtarp1 on October 09, 2011, 07:57:06 PM
my clutch makes a groany squeal quite often from a stop.  WTH?  2011
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....
Post by: redbarber on October 09, 2011, 08:24:35 PM
Mine does it too. 
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....
Post by: martin_14 on October 09, 2011, 11:15:16 PM
Mine does it not...  ???
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....
Post by: RIGS on October 10, 2011, 01:11:30 AM
It's definitely coming from the engine....
Seems to be random I posted because it did it twice today while out on a ride with the significant other....
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....
Post by: McJunkie on October 10, 2011, 03:43:26 AM
Mine did it also. Sprayed a tad bit of WD-40 around the adjustment dial and it went away. Had this problem for years on the Goldwing and went so far as replacing the pivot bushing. Sprayed those also and the little groan/squeal went away on those as well.
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....
Post by: VirginiaJim on October 10, 2011, 04:34:30 AM
It's definitely coming from the engine....
Seems to be randon, I posted because it did it twice today while out on a ride with the significant other....

That's when it happens the most with me.  It doesn't happen often but it happens.
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: jimmymac on October 10, 2011, 04:50:19 AM
Mine does it too. I launch that thing pretty hard sometimes.
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: Restless on October 10, 2011, 05:58:08 AM
I've had the groan too, and it definitely comes from the engine not the lever.  2010 ABS w/11000 miles.  Random and not often but it does happen every now and again.  Oil types don't seem to matter or change the randomness.  I broke mine in with Kawi oil and switched to Mobil 1 4T and I'm now running Rotella T 15-40 but it's always done it so I wrote off oil type being the culprit.  This topic comes up in a thread on here about once a year or so but there has never been a fix suggested.  I just ride on and figure it's a characteristic of the C14 motor.  Warranty and KiPass will protect me!  Sure would be nice to know why this happens though.  ???
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: VirginiaJim on October 10, 2011, 06:26:32 AM
With me, it manifests more with a passenger than not.  Also, it's more likely to happen on an uphill pull from standing start.  It seems to happen more if I have been holding the lever in for awhile.  It hasn't happened enough to be too terribly concerned.  More of quirk, so to speak.
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: gPink on October 10, 2011, 06:28:48 AM
Jim, that's not reflecting well on your passenger. :)
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: Aussie in AZ on October 10, 2011, 06:44:50 AM
Jim, that's not reflecting well on your passenger. :)

Ouch!  ;D

Mine has not groaned or squeaked in 18K mikes.  Single or pillion.  I have had the clutch lever make a groaning noise.......often.....very annoying and when cold sometimes feels like it needs bleeding

Aussie
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: lather on October 10, 2011, 07:05:40 AM
Mine used to do this once a day, first thing in the morning as I turned right, slightly uphill and off camber out of my driveway onto my street. I learned to avoid it by coasting though the turn with the clutch lever held in and not releasing it until the bike was straight up.

It has not done it since I synchronized my throttle bodies.
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: Restless on October 10, 2011, 08:01:48 AM

It has not done it since I synchronized my throttle bodies.

I had my TB sync'd at 7200 miles and it still does it so I don't think there is a correlation there, but I do think it has something to do with the clutch plates and how the rider lets out the clutch in some way.  I always ride solo, and weigh 195 and she's done it maybe 15 times in 11000+ miles.  At any rate, it's more of an annoyance or "quirk" like Jim mentioned than a big concern for me.  I really think it's the big girls way of saying "let's go"!  :rotflmao:
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: rtarp1 on October 10, 2011, 08:20:21 AM
@restless   yes i agree its coming from the clutch and how i engage it .  i find if im more aggressive with the clutxh and throttle it doesnt do it.   not hurting aanything i think its just how the clutch plates are engaging.
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: Rhino on October 10, 2011, 08:52:01 AM
@restless   yes i agree its coming from the clutch and how i engage it .  i find if im more aggressive with the clutxh and throttle it doesnt do it.   not hurting aanything i think its just how the clutch plates are engaging.

Mine does it every time on more aggressive starts. I'm not talking about a max power launch. Just that it will not do it if I purposely start slow.
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: rtarp1 on October 10, 2011, 08:55:22 AM
im gonna play with it today ,  ill get back to u
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: lather on October 10, 2011, 09:50:43 AM
I had my TB sync'd at 7200 miles and it still does it so I don't think there is a correlation there, but I do think it has something to do with the clutch plates and how the rider lets out the clutch in some way.  I always ride solo, and weigh 195 and she's done it maybe 15 times in 11000+ miles.  At any rate, it's more of an annoyance or "quirk" like Jim mentioned than a big concern for me.  I really think it's the big girls way of saying "let's go"!  :rotflmao:
Maybe for mine it is a combination of a smoother idling engine plus normal clutch wear at 60,000 miles.
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: lt1 on October 10, 2011, 12:49:08 PM
It happens pretty regularly on mine. 
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: RIGS on October 11, 2011, 05:55:05 AM
Not a big issue, just curious if anyone else experienced it....
For what its worth, never heard it with my 08.

Thx for the inputs....
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: B.D.F. on October 11, 2011, 12:31:47 PM
It sounds like a <k-word> issue to me....

It is hard to describe noises and how things are felt (easy boys!) but mine has what I would describe as clutch chatter, mostly when the clutch is pretty heavily loaded but still slipping slightly during launch. It seems to be oil viscosity related; the thinner the oil, the more it does it. Even more important that the actual weight of the oil in the crankcase is the temperature of the transmission; the clutch shudders mostly on hot days when the bike has been used a long time. On the other side, it does not do it at all once the temp. is below something like 45 F.

It is probably normal and I would probably ignore it unless it is progressive and getting worse, and then it should be taken care of under warranty.

Brian


While I am letting out the clutch and motoring away from a stop, the clutch makes a very odd groaning sound.
It happens randomly, riding single or 2 up....

Anyone else experience this?
Thoughts?

Its a 2010 with 21k miles....
Title: Re: Everyonce in a While....groaning clutch
Post by: redbarber on October 15, 2011, 09:14:40 AM
It sounds like a <k-word> issue to me....

... It seems to be oil viscosity related; the thinner the oil, the more it does it. It is probably normal and I would probably ignore it unless it is progressive and getting worse, and then it should be taken care of under warranty.

Brian

I have to agree with Brian, I usually notice it most when it's pretty hot, and least right after an oil change with dino oil.  The last two oil changes, using full synthetic oil at a lower viscosity, I've noticed it more, but worried about it less.