Whose Knocking? V85TT Clutch Noise

[WannabeADV]

Hello all,

My 2022 V85TT has developed a persistent knock when the clutch lever is pulled. The knock appears as soon as tension is placed on the cable all the way to complete lever pull for disengagement of the clutch. The normal dry clutch clatter can be heard when in neutral and the clutch engaged. There is just over 15300 miles on it.

Transmission and Diff fluid have been changed within the first thousand miles after turning 10k.

The characteristics of this knock are:
- Typical crisp engine noises when on a cold start and the clutch in disengaged.
- Only appears when the engine is warmed up and stays persistent after warming up.
- This knock only happens when the clutch lever is pulled in, regardless of gear the transmission is in.
- There is a subtle sharp vibration that can be felt though the bike on any hard surface, not the seat, when the noise is made when the clutch is disengaged.
- The clutch slack is in its correct placement, about 3-4mm of gap at the lever hinge. It makes this noise whether the clutch has more or less slack, as long as its disengaged.
- The sound is primarily coming from the lower right side of the engine.
- There has been ZERO performance issues in shifting or clutch engagement. No slips. No shudders. Smooth engagement in 1st. Bangs though gears with no problem or fight. The occasional neutral hits while going into second. It has always been like this, I tend to ask it to go into gear instead of telling it every now and then.

Has anyone experienced this issue?
Does anyone have any knowledge on what it could be?
Am I going to go broke at the dealer?

Any help would be greatly appreciated before I have no choice but to bring it to my dealership.

Here is a link to the sound:
https://youtube.com/shorts/JGDwfoMMvfI?si=msM3EXVJ-U-9CIOS

[guzzisteve]

Yes, definitely clutch issue unless your crank is moving fore & aft  at same time. Then would be rear crank wear pads. I would check crank play 1st to rule that out. Could be loose rivets to hub of clutch plate maybe. I'm not too versed on the V85TT. That noise is there.

[Moparnut72]

I really didn't hear much difference either way, engaged or not. However you do have excessive noise. Does it go away when the clutch is engaged when in gear and underway? If so I would think something is wrong with the clutch disc as Steve says.
kk

[WannabeADV]

Thank you two for the reply,

The noise goes away when the clutch is engaged and when riding, yes.
It is only apparent when the clutch lever is pulled in. It goes away once I start moving.

[Vagrant]

I believe the clutch free play is 2MM. But you said that makes no difference. I'd plan on a clutch job or trade it in fast.

[michaell32]

The symptoms sound like a bad throw out bearing.

[yrunvs]

How many times have we heard the doom and gloom only to find out it was something simple? Whatever it is please post the findings.

[Tkelly]

I had a similar experience with a new California,continued to ride until the clutch ent and stranded the bike in the UP.

[WannabeADV]

I took it to the dealership, the service manager listened to it from both sides. Could hear the difference in how loud it is on engagement and disengagement of the clutch. He brought up the proper clutch adjustment of 2mm and said it sounds like normal wear and tear and to expect it to get louder or make more noises as it ages. I've adjusted the clutch gap to approximately 2mm. He said if it get worse over the coming week to bring it in for a diagnostic check and worse case if I need the clutch replaced it can be landing near the $3000 range in parts and labor, which I am really REALLY hoping not to have to run into.

Engagement is still good. No slipping. Ripped on it all day as I commuted in all gears and no loss of power.

I did notice after leaving work today while the engine was sitting off for about 4 hours a studder was obvious on light to medium throttle in 1-3. As in I can gently accelerate in first and second and hold the throttle steady at say 25mph to maintain speed and the bike studders like its losing power at random or the throttle-by-wire is losing its signal randomly. While accelerating the on ramp in 3rd it was even more apparent up to 60. I've noticed it does this occasionally after a cold start. I recall I noticed it doing this while getting up to 50 in 5th gear a month ago and thought it was me being jumpy on the throttle. After it warms up its fine.
Is this normal with miles on it? Or could it fueling? Or was that an early sign of clutch issues?

I love this machine but I would trade for a new E5+ V7 Special, but not ready for that yet and do not want a to pay a tariff surcharge on top. A 3k repair bill won't part me with this just yet if it comes to it. But I sure don't want to spend 3K.

[guzzisteve]

That price is 3 times too high, find a different dealer. I did a clutch last year on a Tonti and was $600. Where you at?  They split just like a Tonti. Why would it take them 25hrs to do the job unless they really don't know what they are doing.

[WannabeADV]

I'm in Richmond Va.

My dealer charges an hourly rate of $180 for service.

I asked for a written estimate so I can have a more clear idea of the standard cost. The 3k was a max parking lot estimate and matches roughly the max it would cost from what I have skimmed around to see online.

I don't know much of other dealers or shops in the area that work on Guzzis.

I've inspected the blow up of the clutch and transmission assembly along with pictures of the assembly through the workshop manual and what my dealer has sent me. I do not see where a typical thrush bearing would be. There is a rod pressing a cupped plate connected to the pressure plate for the clutch disc disnegagement and goes through the main shaft of the transmission. Then to the clutch release lever that connects to the clutch cable in the back of the transmission.

The service manager may have been mistaking the noise for a multiplate clutch while he was referencing a Breva but this has a single plate clutch. So I'm on the doom and gloom wagon.

I will mess with the cable tension again later and listen for sound changes once again. Im assuming that the clutch plate or pressure assembly may be damaged causing the knocking as the pressure assembly hits the clutch disc as it rotates while disengaged. Or it can be too loose causing a wobble of the clutch disc I beleive GuzziSteve mentioned this if I'm understanding correctly, but then that would still mean it's damaged or failed in some way. This conclusion tells me that I do need a new clutch assembly. Though it is all speculation as of now until it's inspected.

I am very open to more cost effective replacement for quality work and can then compare estimates.

[guzzisteve]

The throw out bearing is on the back end of the rod that goes in down the shaft, it the back cover in front of arm. That would only be pulling off swing arm.. 2hrs pull & replace.

[WannabeADV]

This is very interesting and hopefully great news. I will listen closer and inspect it more when I have time.

I will keep everyone posted.

Thank you!

[guzzisteve]

If that is the case you could maybe do it yourself, just leave wheel on & roll out.