strange clutch noise

[Fields11789]

Hey guys,

So I've noticed a weird noise / issue with the clutch.

When in neutral there is this scraping noise coming from the clutch cover area. I can feel the scraping / vibration at the lever if i pull the clutch lever in. When i pull the lever in 3/4 to all the way in, the noise stops. Almost sounds like there is load on the engine as well. I can hear a rattle in the case when this happens.

Does not seem to make the noise in gear.

The noise is intermittent, however seems to only occur when the engine has heated up.

Any ideas?

[Fields11789]

Bearing?

I took the clutch cover off for a quick look.

The bearing that is in the star plate is a bit worn out think. The bearing is grindy and makes a bit of noise when spun.

Could that be the problem?

The clutch plates and discs are new. and has been assembled correctly.

Hoping it is just that bearing about to give out.

[3Phase]

Fields,

Before you replace any parts, make sure it's the star plate bearing making the noise.

Put the engine clutch cover back on but don't reconnect the clutch cable.

Loosen the locknut on the clutch adjuster screw and back it out a few turns so it can't touch the star plate bearing.

Start the engine and listen for the noise.


If the bearing is bad then you'll have to find a used part on eBay. All year/models of the XS1100 and the XJ1100 use the same clutch assembly. The bearing can be replaced but used clutches and star plates are still pretty common.

Here's a whole clutch assembly in Oklahoma for about $24.00 shipped:-
eBay | 1980 Yamaha XS1100 XS 1100 Clutch Basket

[MaximPhil]

Fields,

Here's a whole clutch assembly in Oklahoma for about $24.00 shipped:-
eBay | 1980 Yamaha XS1100 XS 1100 Clutch Basket

Hi Scott,
That link is $75 shipping to Canada I bet a lot more to Australia.
How difficult is it to change the bearing? I expect it is a standard bearing like so many others on the XS.

Phil

[3Phase]

Oops, I forgot he's in Australia.


The bearing is still available from Yamaha, it might be slightly less expensive to find a local bearing house and bring the bearing for good measure but about $11US is not a bad price for a factory part.


Partzilla | Yamaha Motorcycle Parts | 1978 XS1100E CLUTCH Diagram
#15 BEARING 93306-00315-00 $16.22 $11.25US

Yamaha tends to embed the commercial bearing number into their factory part number so a 93306-00315-00 would be a 3060 bearing.


Partzilla | 93306-00315-00 BEARING $11.25US

[3Phase]

This was nagging at me. Something felt wrong so I checked again and I highlighted the wrong segment of the Yamaha part number, my eyes are on the wrong offset today. The bearing is not even close to a 3060, it's part of the 6003 family.

93306-00315-00 is the US part number
93306-00304 is the AUS number for the 1981RH

Once I had the correct number I got search hits galore. According to a couple of online parts lists, both numbers should cross over to a commercial number but I can't swear to it:-

VXB.com | 6003C4 Open Ball with C4 Clearance | 17mm X 35mm X 10mm.

The online parts list I used for a 1981 XS1100RH in Perth, Australia:-

Cully's Yamaha
Balcatta WA, Australia

[Fields11789]

Thanks gents, it can be painful getting 2nd hand parts here in Aus. Just gotta suck it up and pay a bit extra shipping from US, Germany or UK.

I'm pretty convinced the problem is that bearing. The bearing looks easy enough to remove. I will press it out and take it down to a bearing shop for a replacement.

I will try the disconnected clutch cable idea first and make absolutely sure it is that bearing.



Taking some photos of the project today. Will upload them so you can see the girl

[Fields11789]

definitley the bearing. New one acquired today. Old bearing and Centre bit came out very easy! Tapped in the new one and viola! Strange noise is gone.

On close inspection of the old bearing it is very obvious that it was stuffed. Lots of lumps and wobbles. Very bad actually.

Thanks for the help.

Photos of "the other woman" as my wife calls it are on their way.

[3Phase]

Way to go!

Just don't make the clutch cable too tight or set the clutch adjuster screw too close to the new throwout bearing, it'll probably make it wear out again in less than ten years instead of thirty.