Clutch Rattle

General discussion about Street two-stroke Suzuki motorcycles.

Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, diamondj, Suzsmokeyallan

grumpy56
To the on ramp
Posts: 218
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:08 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1970 T350 Restored; 1972 GT380 Build
Location: Yorba Linda, CA

Clutch Rattle

Post by grumpy56 »

Just noticed on a ride today that my clutch and/or transmission is making a rattling noise in neutral with the clutch disengaged (lever out). When this happens on a Harley it is oftentimes the inner primary bearing, but not the case with this T350. I'm going to adjust the clutch and see what happens, but I hope it is not the tranny. Any ideas? Thanks.
User avatar
ConnerVT
Novice racer
Posts: 963
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:01 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500R (now), T500M (40 yrs ago)
Location: North of Albany, NY

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by ConnerVT »

grumpy56
To the on ramp
Posts: 218
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:08 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1970 T350 Restored; 1972 GT380 Build
Location: Yorba Linda, CA

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by grumpy56 »

Thanks Conner VT. May need to pull the clutch. Just adjusted the clutch and no improvement, however, did notice that once I get the revs up to about 1800 the noise disappears (with clutch disengaged).
sportston
Expert racer
Posts: 1119
Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:04 pm
Country: England, UK
Suzuki 2-Strokes: FZ50, GP100, RG125 Gamma, GT380, Bandit 1200S

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by sportston »

Sounds like thrust bearing.
dollydog
Yeah Man, the Interstate
Posts: 630
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:09 am
Country: england
Suzuki 2-Strokes: several gt250 ramairs

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by dollydog »

sounds like the centre nut on the clutch has been tightened up and somebody didn't bend the tab washer over, now the nut is slowly undoing itself :( i would definitely drain the oil and have a look at the clutch centre nut :D
cheers, dd.
GTS250 road registered. TS250 engine, Ramair frame.
GT250 big bang road registered. Both pistons fire the same time. USD forks.
GT285 road registered. Overbored - 58mm and TS125 +2 pistons fitted.
GT10 road registered. '65 T10 engine, GT250 frame.
sportston
Expert racer
Posts: 1119
Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:04 pm
Country: England, UK
Suzuki 2-Strokes: FZ50, GP100, RG125 Gamma, GT380, Bandit 1200S

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by sportston »

dollydog wrote:sounds like the centre nut on the clutch has been tightened up and somebody didn't bend the tab washer over, now the nut is slowly undoing itself :( i would definitely drain the oil and have a look at the clutch centre nut :D
cheers, dd.
Good point! Either way it needs stripping and investigating before further damage.
grumpy56
To the on ramp
Posts: 218
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:08 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1970 T350 Restored; 1972 GT380 Build
Location: Yorba Linda, CA

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by grumpy56 »

Appreciate the help. Started tearing it down this evening, but getting those ten cover screws off is going to be a thrill. Three loosened pretty easy with a Vessel impact screw driver, but the other 7........gotta get a bigger hammer!!!
dollydog
Yeah Man, the Interstate
Posts: 630
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:09 am
Country: england
Suzuki 2-Strokes: several gt250 ramairs

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by dollydog »

which is why i fit stainless steel m6 allen bolts to all my engines, each with a smear of copper grease. it don't half make life so much easier. throw those 40 year old mild steel crossheads in the bin :D when you eventually get them out of course.
cheers, dd.
GTS250 road registered. TS250 engine, Ramair frame.
GT250 big bang road registered. Both pistons fire the same time. USD forks.
GT285 road registered. Overbored - 58mm and TS125 +2 pistons fitted.
GT10 road registered. '65 T10 engine, GT250 frame.
sportston
Expert racer
Posts: 1119
Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:04 pm
Country: England, UK
Suzuki 2-Strokes: FZ50, GP100, RG125 Gamma, GT380, Bandit 1200S

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by sportston »

dollydog wrote:which is why i fit stainless steel m6 allen bolts to all my engines, each with a smear of copper grease. it don't half make life so much easier. throw those 40 year old mild steel crossheads in the bin :D when you eventually get them out of course.
cheers, dd.
Hear, hear! Love the stainless allen bolts. But a word of warning to anyone not experienced in their use, don't over-tighten them. Use an allen screwdriver, not a ratchet or allen key. It is easy to strip the thread in the casing with too much leverage.
grumpy56
To the on ramp
Posts: 218
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:08 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1970 T350 Restored; 1972 GT380 Build
Location: Yorba Linda, CA

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by grumpy56 »

Will definately replace those old screws. Got em out with the impact driver, but wanted to get some advice before moving on. When I push-pull the complete clutch (I have not yet released the springs), I probably have .010" of play in it. When I engage the clutch, no difference. Not sure if that play is causing my racket, but will see I guess. A couple of questions: What is the best way to hold the clutch basket to remove the springs? Box end on the crank nut? Also, is the sleeve hub nut a normal thread (good to know before I start beating on it)? Thank you.
dollydog
Yeah Man, the Interstate
Posts: 630
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:09 am
Country: england
Suzuki 2-Strokes: several gt250 ramairs

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by dollydog »

10mm socket and hold the clutch basket while you undo them. clutch spring bolts shouldn't be mega tight, and they are easy to shear if you overtighten them. centre nut is normal right hand thread. check the thrust washers are there. should be one under the complete clutch and one under the clutch centre - between the basket and the centre. there should be no play when you push/pull the complete clutch. tighten centre nut up with a box spanner and turn at least one tab over on the tab washer. should be good :D
cheers, dd.
GTS250 road registered. TS250 engine, Ramair frame.
GT250 big bang road registered. Both pistons fire the same time. USD forks.
GT285 road registered. Overbored - 58mm and TS125 +2 pistons fitted.
GT10 road registered. '65 T10 engine, GT250 frame.
Craig380
Expert racer
Posts: 1250
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:52 am
Location: Manchester, UK

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by Craig380 »

Be really, really careful when tightening the nuts the hold the clutch springs, the pillars on the clutch inner that they screw into are fragile and can easily crack. Not much more than gentle pressure with a short spanner.

The clutch centre nut however, give that a proper tighten (assuming you've got a socket that's big enough!). I tightened mine with an 18" adjustable wrench (I would've had to wait 3 days to get a big enough socket) and peened over 2 tabs on a new lock-washer, which did the job :up:
1976 GT380 - wounded by me, and sold on
2006 SV650S - killed by a patch of diesel and a kerb in Feb 2019
2017 SV650 AL7 - naked and unashamed
dollydog
Yeah Man, the Interstate
Posts: 630
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:09 am
Country: england
Suzuki 2-Strokes: several gt250 ramairs

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by dollydog »

grab one of these - it fits the clutch centre nut and also the big nut on the rear wheel [the one that holds the sprocket carrier on], very useful tool to own - and cheap :D
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/27-mm-32-mm-T ... XQhpdRsuoq" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
cheers, dd.
GTS250 road registered. TS250 engine, Ramair frame.
GT250 big bang road registered. Both pistons fire the same time. USD forks.
GT285 road registered. Overbored - 58mm and TS125 +2 pistons fitted.
GT10 road registered. '65 T10 engine, GT250 frame.
dollydog
Yeah Man, the Interstate
Posts: 630
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 7:09 am
Country: england
Suzuki 2-Strokes: several gt250 ramairs

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by dollydog »

just checked to make sure it was right - and it was. the 27mm end fits the clutch centre nut and the 32mm end fits the huge sprocket carrier nut - perfectly :D one of the most useful tools i've got after struggling with a 12" bahco adjustable spanner for so long.
cheers, dd.
GTS250 road registered. TS250 engine, Ramair frame.
GT250 big bang road registered. Both pistons fire the same time. USD forks.
GT285 road registered. Overbored - 58mm and TS125 +2 pistons fitted.
GT10 road registered. '65 T10 engine, GT250 frame.
grumpy56
To the on ramp
Posts: 218
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 11:08 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 1970 T350 Restored; 1972 GT380 Build
Location: Yorba Linda, CA

Re: Clutch Rattle

Post by grumpy56 »

Appreciate all the help so far boys and need some more. Going to get the 27mm socket for that clutch nut and be careful when I re-install the springs. What is the best way to hold that inner clutch hub to remove the 27mm nut? Not sure I want to put any pressure on any part of that clutch basket and was thinking of putting the plates back in and steadying it by the crankshaft nut. Seems like there should be a better way. Suggestions??? Thanks. Just thought that maybe a trigger or two of my impact driver would loosen it without holding the hub. Thoughts???
Post Reply