Mystery Driveline Issue

Busaboy

.040 Over
Joined
Sep 4, 2015
Messages
91
Location
Satellite Beach, FL
Ride
2005 Rocket III
2005 R3 with 26K miles. 3rd owner. I have had bike for a few years. Live in Florida and weather is close to 90F.

When the engine gets hot I'm getting some odd slow speed drive-line behavior. I cannot tell if the issue is possibly a clutch or an output bearing problem. When going slow in 2nd or 3rd gear and backing off on the throttle, the clutch acts like it is chattering or slipping. It doesn't slip under acceleration however. If pull clutch lever when decelerating and very slowly release it, the clutch chatters before engaging. The behavior doesn't happen unless bike is good and hot.

Had a friend who owns a reputable shop take bike out for short ride. He personally owns four R3's and his shop has repaired a bunch. He says something seems wrong but cannot identify if clutch or output bearing. I'm hoping only clutch.

Wondering if anyone has had a clutch issue like this? What would a output bearing issue feel like?
 
The bike only does 2k miles a year...its just running in ...sorry, unhelpful....

What's the oil like? Is the oil pump ok? Just pulled the clutch out of mine with similar mileage to yours and it was pristine (and I flog the guts out of my bike)
 
I and the guy I got the bike from have multiple bikes so never get too many miles on any one.

Don't believe there is any oil issue b ut anything is possible. Bike is running 15W-50 M1.

With so many issues with the early year R3's I get a little paranoid that any odd behavior is something big.
 
With so many issues with the early year R3's I get a little paranoid that any odd behavior is something big.

I better let my 2005 with 70000 trouble free miles not to start any odd behaviour.
Now when it starts to clatter have you tried pulling in the clutch a bit? also just double check your free play on the cable.
 

The chatter stops if I pull in clutch. The behavior is only evident during slow speeds in 2nd or 3rd gear with the bike hot.

On my bike unless I have the free play in the cable less than spec'd, the tranny won't easily go into neutral. Since the clutch doesn't slip under full power I believe the clutch is fully engaged. I could try loosening up the cable a bit more but I know I will have issues getting into neutral.
 
I have 26,000 miles on a 2015 Rocket X. Adjust the clutch cable. It will eliminate the noise.
 
Assuming your free play is right in your clutch. Checking the torsional damper bearing is easy drop the oil and the sump pan if the bearing is toast you will see parts in and near the rear sump screen. gasket is probably less then 20 bucks.if your oil is new save it if not well dump it. Its easier then looking at the clutch which a clutch cover gasket is 12 bucks. Just bought one a in at the end of march. Plus since you and your buddy have time on rockets I suspect your would know if the clutch is slipping. The clutch is easy the torsional damper shaft bearings (what you call out put bearings) are a little more time consuming.
 
When my torsional damper went, it gave no hint of pending failure. Going about 70 mph it let go all at once, and went into a gawd awful vibration. It tried to lock the rear wheel a couple times before I got it stopped.
 
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