Knocking noise when clutch lever engaged V7

[Flea]

Originally thought it was my valves, but checked and triple checked the clearances and they're all in spec!

Whenever I pull my clutch in the bike produces a knocking sound. I can't seem to isolate the sound since it reverberates throughout the entire housing. Anyone else experience the same and isolated the issue?

[pete roper]

What model V7? Single or twin TB?

[Bob Wegman]

My 2010 V7 Classic has developed a vibration fractured metal clatter sound (kind of like a exhaust vibrating against a frame member, but it isn't) when coming to a stop with the clutch engaged in second gear.  I squeeze the clutch lever and it mostly goes away.  I am thinking a possible partially fractured clutch disc.  Started about 1500 miles ago,  now have 14,700 miles on bike.  I thought maybe I had a loose horn bracket or something loose under the fuel tank, but no problem found there.

[Flea]

What model V7? Single or twin TB?

Single TB 2013 V7 Stone

[guzzisteve]

Does the rpm slow any w/clutch pulled in, compared to in neutral?

[Bob Wegman]

Everything works fine, shifts great, no debris from gearbox oil,  just this vibration sound. I will continue riding it until other symptoms manifest themselves.

[Flea]

Does the rpm slow any w/clutch pulled in, compared to in neutral?

RPM unaffected by clutch. The knocking seems to get "louder" under prolonged use

[malik]

My 2010 V7 Classic has developed a vibration fractured metal clatter sound (kind of like a exhaust vibrating against a frame member, but it isn't) when coming to a stop with the clutch engaged in second gear.  I squeeze the clutch lever and it mostly goes away.  I am thinking a possible partially fractured clutch disc.  Started about 1500 miles ago,  now have 14,700 miles on bike.  I thought maybe I had a loose horn bracket or something loose under the fuel tank, but no problem found there.

If not the horn inners - remove the horns completely to test it, it may be a loose baffle in the muffler (remove each & shake vigorously), or it may be the inner wall of a header has lost its spot welds & is rattling (not an unknown problem). A broken headlight bucket (cheap, thin plastic) can often sound disconcerting & is difficult to identify. Having seen the inside of the clutch (quite robust), these sorts of things seem more likely.

The OP's symptoms are a bit of a worry.

[grinmaul]

I have what sounds like the exact same thing, when pulling in the clutch it knocks, a deep bottom end rod bearing kinda knock. but why only when pulling the clutch?

seem like it is coming from the left side of the engine.

Edit:

2013 stone single TB. 9000km

[Flea]

I have what sounds like the exact same thing, when pulling in the clutch it knocks, a deep bottom end rod bearing kinda knock. but why only when pulling the clutch?

seem like it is coming from the left side of the engine.

Edit:

2013 stone single TB. 9000km

Mine is much more apparent on the right side. Did a full check up on it today trying to find the damn source with no luck.

[Idontwantapickle]

Originally thought it was my valves, but checked and triple checked the clearances and they're all in spec!

Whenever I pull my clutch in the bike produces a knocking sound. I can't seem to isolate the sound since it reverberates throughout the entire housing. Anyone else experience the same and isolated the issue?

This isn't the dread crank thrust issue is it? It sounds like it from the description but AFAIK only late model 6 speed V7 were affected.

Hunter

[malik]

Mine is much more apparent on the right side. Did a full check up on it today trying to find the damn source with no luck.

Did you remove the headers? Was only just working on a mate's Breva - the mechanics he'd taken it to earlier had removed the headers but had broken two of the exhaust studs in doing so. On the V7/Breva's the nuts tend to corrode onto the studs & need an occasional reminder to stay loose enough to turn. Remove the nuts every now & again (say, yearly) & copper grease them. I've been lucky - undoing the nuts brought the whole stud with it in a couple of cases, my mate wasn't & the Breva is with an expect having the affected studs removed. Just another long term preventive maintenance item to add to the list that's not in the manual. While the headers are off, check the exhaust gaskets - they might be hard to see, especially with your plugs so black, but they should be there, or at least the remains of them. New gaskets are cheap. With the headers now flush & tensioned you can be assured that it is not loose headers making the noise.

I have a similar problem - rough running & super carboned plugs - on the V7C at the moment. No noises. If I find a fix, I'll let you know.

I did a whole lot of stuff while it's been off the road - full service, new rear tyre, mirror polish rocker covers, etc, etc, re-charge the battery - & now it won't start - so I've forgotten something or done something wrong. Got to get it running again before having a go at balancing the throttle bodies & re-setting the TPS. It's somewhat frustrating.

[guzzisteve]

That's the sound I used to hear years ago on small blocks not long before the crank wear pads gave up the ghost.

Not to scare you but it is a small block no matter how they market it.

Yours has some miles so probably not the case, just something out of balance in flywheel assembly.
I would pull it apart and check the stuff, but that's me.
Just ride the pee out of it, flogg it, speed shift it, it will show you were it is.

[Flea]

Did you remove the headers? -SNIP-

My header studs were super corroded so I took them off and wire brushed them with a light coat of oil. Plugs on mine are fine.

That's the sound I used to hear years ago on small blocks not long before the crank wear pads gave up the ghost.

Not to scare you but it is a small block no matter how they market it.

Yours has some miles so probably not the case, just something out of balance in flywheel assembly.
I would pull it apart and check the stuff, but that's me.
Just ride the pee out of it, flogg it, speed shift it, it will show you were it is.

Besides the knocking, I haven't noticed any other performance issues. The bike rides like it should otherwise. If anything, I'll take her apart for a close look during the winter.

Thanks again! I'm pretty sure something is out of balance as Guzzisteve says. Must've knocked a few things loose from all the pot holes and expansion joints in my commute.

[guzzisteve]

Talking about knocking things loose, maybe a bunch of clutch dust came off of one side.   

You could rinse it out w/mineral spirits and see what comes out.

[TimmyTheHog]

... Remove the nuts every now & again (say, yearly) & copper grease them....

Not to steal the thread, but doesn't copper grease no good @ the high heat & aluminum location....like the header exhaust bolts??

Was told to use nickle based grease...

please educate me if I am incorrect...

[normzone]

Are you sure you're not hearing the traditional jingle bells sound that Guzzi's (and some Ducatis) make when the clutch handle is pulled in ?