[Hi-Chuan Su]

Hi,I’m newcomer from Taiwan.

When enging is idle in neutral, a obvius noise comes from clutch (or gear box). The noise disappeared if I pulled up clutc level.
When enging is idle in neutral, a obvius noise comes from clutch (or gear box). The noise disappeared if I pulled up clutc level.

My bike is 2022 model Africatwin with MT gear box. Does any one have the same issue?
The issue is very similar to a common issue in MT09 (FZ09). In case of MT09, noise come from outer of clutch, but I didn't head Africatwin has the same issue.

I just bought this used bike last week. After few days riding, I found this issue. It doesn't affect riding experience, but it sounds like an old bike when I stop in trafic. It will be appreciated if you share your experience for
solving this problem.

 

[Svendus]

How many miles did the bike
3 years old

 

[Art]

The noise is 'gearbox chatter', it is nothing to worry about and is common to all motorcycle gearboxes and becomes more noticeable with mileage and wear.

So what's happening?

With the gearbox in neutral and the clutch lever out the clutch is engaged and the crankshaft is engaged with the gearbox input shaft. In neutral the gearbox input shaft is not engaged with the gearbox output shaft and vibrations from the engine cause the freely spinning cogs to chatter because they are not under any loading.

When you pull the clutch lever in the clutch disengages, the crankshaft disengages from the gearbox, the input shaft stops spinning, the cogs stop spinning and the chatter stops.

edit: After thought, what grade of engine oil are you using? If the engine oil is too thin for the ambient riding temperatures gearbox chatter may appear to be excessive.

 

[Svendus]

Hi,I’m newcomer from Taiwan.

When enging is idle in neutral, a obvius noise comes from clutch (or gear box). The noise disappeared if I pulled up clutc level.
When enging is idle in neutral, a obvius noise comes from clutch (or gear box). The noise disappeared if I pulled up clutc level.

My bike is 2022 model Africatwin with MT gear box. Does any one have the same issue?
The issue is very similar to a common issue in MT09 (FZ09). In case of MT09, noise come from outer of clutch, but I didn't head Africatwin has the same issue.

I just bought this used bike last week. After few days riding, I found this issue. It doesn't affect riding experience, but it sounds like an old bike when I stop in trafic. It will be appreciated if you share your experience for
solving this problem.

it is not difficult on a manual to remove the clutch side cover and inspect
to find out what it is that are causing the noise

 

[rustynut2]

Normal, leave it alone.....

 

[Smxhuber]

Don't worry about it all bikes make some noises like this, make sure oil lever is good and ride. I have spent lots of time in Taiwan and driven around the island but never on a bike, what a beautiful place to ride - have fun!

 

[Hi-Chuan Su]

How many miles did the bike
3 years old

8700 mile, one year old, I think it's still a new bike.

 

[Hi-Chuan Su]

nput sha

The noise is 'gearbox chatter', it is nothing to worry about and is common to all motorcycle gearboxes and becomes more noticeable with mileage and wear.

So what's happening?

With the gearbox in neutral and the clutch lever out the clutch is engaged and the crankshaft is engaged with the gearbox input shaft. In neutral the gearbox input shaft is not engaged with the gearbox output shaft and vibrations from the engine cause the freely spinning cogs to chatter because they are not under any loading.

When you pull the clutch lever in the clutch disengages, the crankshaft disengages from the gearbox, the input shaft stops spinning, the cogs stop spinning and the chatter stops.

edit: After thought, what grade of engine oil are you using? If the engine oil is too thin for the ambient riding temperatures gearbox chatter may appear to be excessive.

Thank you for your explaination. It's very clear and easy to understand.
I feel comfortable after understanding what happend of the chatter.

I feel the chatter become less noticed after chaning oil. I use Honda G3 10W30 which recommanded in manual. I'm wondering if I need to use a stickier oil for hot temperature in Taiwan (up to 35C in summer and usually stock in traffic). Sticker oil can provide a better protection in high temp and also reduce the chatter. I'm condindering to use 10W40 or 10W50 next time, which one is better?

 

[Art]

Gearbox chatter should also be less noticeable with a cold engine vs an engine at normal engine operating temperature.

In 35°C ambient temperatures and city motor traffic conditions a 10W-30 engine oil may be too thin at normal engine operating temperatures. I'd change it to a 10W-40 at the next oil and filter change and see what difference that makes.

I wouldn't consider a 10W-50 engine oil because while it may reduce gearbox chatter because its thicker than a 10W-40 it may be too thick for other engine parts that are manufactured to a tighter engineering fit. Gearbox chatter is the price paid for engine and gearbox unit construction where the oil has to lubricate both the engine and the gearbox, unlike, for example, a Harley Davidson which has a separate gearbox where a thicker gear oil can be used.

At cold start a 10W-30, 10W-40 and 10W-50 engine oil will all have similar flow rates within the specification range for a 10W engine oil.

At normal engine operating temperature a 10W-40 engine oil will be thicker than a 10W-30 and a 10W-50 will be ticker than both.

 

[Svendus]

8700 mile, one year old, I think it's still a new bike.

I am on a DCT but a Manual Honda AT @8700 mile the Clutch and gearbox should be silky smooth and silent
Note: if you use an open helmet with keeps it will amplify the transmission sound from below

 

[Hi-Chuan Su]

Don't worry about it all bikes make some noises like this, make sure oil lever is good and ride. I have spent lots of time in Taiwan and driven around the island but never on a bike, what a beautiful place to ride - have fun!

Got it, thanks.

Taiwan is a small island with many high moutains. You can ride to 3500m height to see cloud sea in morning, then go to beach to see sunset in afternoon. If you visit Taiwan again, I strongly recommend you to ride around the island!

 

[Hi-Chuan Su]

Gearbox chatter should also be less noticeable with a cold engine vs an engine at normal engine operating temperature.

In 35°C ambient temperatures and city motor traffic conditions a 10W-30 engine oil may be too thin at normal engine operating temperatures. I'd change it to a 10W-40 at the next oil and filter change and see what difference that makes.

I wouldn't consider a 10W-50 engine oil because while it may reduce gearbox chatter because its thicker than a 10W-40 it may be too thick for other engine parts that are manufactured to a tighter engineering fit. Gearbox chatter is the price paid for engine and gearbox unit construction where the oil has to lubricate both the engine and the gearbox, unlike, for example, a Harley Davidson which has a separate gearbox where a thicker gear oil can be used.

At cold start a 10W-30, 10W-40 and 10W-50 engine oil will all have similar flow rates within the specification range for a 10W engine oil.

At normal engine operating temperature a 10W-40 engine oil will be thicker than a 10W-30 and a 10W-50 will be ticker than both.

Thanks again for your reply.
Totally undersand. Engine and gearbox are sharing the same oil, so oil selection must be compromised for both parts.
I will try to use 10W40 next time!

 

[Art]

It's called engine oil for a reason, the compromise comes in using it to lubricate the gearbox.

The 10W-40 should be a better choice for you.

 

[DirtRoadGuy]

I noted a similar problem to what you describe in 2018 and posted it on YouTube for comments.

10Oct18 CRF1000 Clutch noise

A noise, similar to the clutch bearing, has recently emerged on my 8500km old CRF1000. It disappears when the clutch is operated leaving me to think its a be...

www.youtube.com

Best advice I have heard is "Honda clutch basket noise" and "don't worry about it". The video shows my kms as 8000. The bike is now approaching 70,000kms on same clutch assembly.

 

[Hi-Chuan Su]

I noted a similar problem to what you describe in 2018 and posted it on YouTube for comments.

10Oct18 CRF1000 Clutch noise

A noise, similar to the clutch bearing, has recently emerged on my 8500km old CRF1000. It disappears when the clutch is operated leaving me to think its a be...

www.youtube.com

Best advice I have heard is "Honda clutch basket noise" and "don't worry about it". The video shows my kms as 8000. The bike is now approaching 70,000kms on same clutch assembly.

Thank you for your reply, it seems a normal sound.
Actually, I forgot the sound after my first off road riding. This bike can be used as 50% dirt bike, so don't need to focus on small details. If I'm care about many detials, I should go to Triumph or BMW...