Rattling Noise On Start Up Yamaha XJ 900f

Hi Guys

I am looking for your opinions thanks on the following. I checked my cam chain tensionser the other day the plunger is not fully out but I still have a rattling sound off the bike. I am not sure if the clutch can rattle on these bikes. The noise stopped when I pulled the clutch lever in, but I have to check this again in case it was coincidence? Am I correct in thinking if the cam chain was worn it would rattle all the time? I just don't want anything to break and wreck my engine. The noise is there less often when the engine is hot.

 

If it stopped when you disengaged the clutch, then I'd be pulling the clutch out and inspecting the basket. There is a bearing that can wear and cause a rattle.
A video of the noise would help make sure we point you inthe right direction.

 

Thanks k-moe I will get a video and post it once I get time. Just wondering if it is the clutch I see in the Haynes manual there are two needle roller bearings. Are these the ones that wear causing the noise? Does one of these sit inside the clutch backet and with a sleeve inside it?

 

Are these the bearings k-moe?

 

It is definately the clutch that is causing the noise. Heard it today.

 

The bearing I'm referencing is the needle roller that is in the clutch basket.
It could also be that the basket is worn and the steel plates are rattling, or you have a broken clutch spring or clutch spring bolt.
If it were mine I'd stop riding until I could open it up for inspection.

 

Not using the bike just now k-moe, don't want any damage to the transmission. I took the side cover off the engine today. The clutch basket has some play in it, top to bottom and side to side. Took the bolts out they are fine and so are the springs. Getting a holding tool tomorrow to lock the clutch centre so I can get the nut off. All of the steel and friction plates look good, going to check them for being flat too. There is little wear on the splines the friction plates slide into or the clutch centre the steel plates engage with. You are right I think it is the large clutch basket needle roller bearing you refer to that is the cause of the problem. I will post photos of all the parts once I get them of the bike.

 

It is not a lot to go on I am trying to get a video of the bearing being turned in the clutch basket. Here are pictures of what I found so far. I will try get a video of it soon as I can. There is

play in the basket when it is on the bike up and down and side to side, the same as a worn wheel bearing. If anyone has changed this bearing what mileages do the last for just an approximate estimate thanks?

 

Hi K-moe here is the video link for the noisy bearing I have in the clutch basket.

 

Hi Guys

Can you give me your opinions on my XJ 900F clutch basket bearing thanks?

 

From the looks and sound in your video, the bearing is toast. There's quite a bit of lateral movement and there shouldn't be any that's noticeable. I'm wondering if possibly the tabs on the clutch discs might have been staggered incorrectly. This would cause an unbalanced condition causing the bearing to fail with that kind movement.
Just speculating.
To reduce the clutch noise further, while you have the basket out replacing the bearing address the play on the starter gear on the back of the clutch basket. You'll notice that the dowel pin that prevents the gear from rotating will have some play. That's the way they came from the factory. That play transfers into additional clutch noise. It's a pretty simple fix.
Good luck.

 

Search:
"Clutch rattle fix" to see how to address the issue.
Additionally, if you don't want to fix it, no big deal it isn't going to hurt anything, it won't fly apart. It is a fault on Yamahas design that they carried on different bikes for well over ten years. People got used to the sound and accepted it. The cam chain does make some additional noise at idle and many think the chugging sound is solely from the chain. It's not.
It is a very significant change to the chugging sound that is present at idle to it being pretty much gone. Our bikes, by design, make plenty of internal engine noise that transfers outside of the engine cases . I noticed the difference and was pleased with how much quieter the bike was.

 

Thanks LarryMc I didn't think about the starter gear but I was fairly sure there was too much play in the clutch basket bearing. At first I thought it was the cam chain but the noisy bearing went quieter when the engine was hot and I noticed a difference too when I pulled the clutch lever. Cheers.

 

Just wondering how do I make sure the tabs on the clutch discs are fitted correctly thanks?

 

Apologies for not getting back to you sooner.

CLUTCHES 101-Part 1: the 400/550/600s with pics
The differences for the 650/700/750/900 clutches are noted (mainly having to do with the special spring that the shaft-driven machines don't have).


BTW> I'm merging your two threads about this problem, for future readers to have the full story.

 

I'd forgotten about that thread. Thank you for the writeup. I've pinned it and moved it to the DYI section.
Clutch rattle fix

It does not apply to the shaft driven models though, as the oil pump is chain driven, and the drive sprocket engages via a pair of tabs.

 

Yes I noticed the tabs k-moe on the back of the clutch basket. I also noticed the oil pump chain seems loose, do you think I would be better to change it? I have no doubt now the clutch basket bearing is the cause of the noise on my machine. I noticed a Suzuki GSX 750 on Youtube with the same noise as my XJ same problem the needle roller bearing. Here is the video link.

 

The oil pump chain does run loose, because there is no tension adjustment for it. I'd do the usual slack check (as you'd do for a final drive chain) to see if it needs replacing. It is constantly splashed with oil, so I doubt that the rollers are worn enough to warrant replacing the chain.

 

Good write up on the clutches k -moe I had noticed some machines had the tabs on the steel plates, and they way they have to be fitted when assembling the clutch. Now I understand what LarryMc meant about the alignment on some clutches.

 

I think it is unlikley the oil pump chain would break k-moe as you say it is constantly oiled but I will check as you advise cheers.

 

Thanks for clarification on that. I just assumed they were all similar regarding the oil pump gear configuration.