low pitched squeak out of first gear?

hyphen · December 30, 2008, 12:41:11 PM

i was running a couple errands today (gotta do something productive with my holiday vacation) and noticed that i've been getting a short, low pitched squeak (sort of an oxymoron but i don't know how else to explain it) going into first gear. it was somewhat like a sound that would come from brake pads but it only occurs when accelerating from a stop and not when i brake or in any other gear. any ideas of what this might be? its a very short sound and didn't seem intimidating but i'd like to remedy any issues early on since the s4r will be my only mode of transportation for a while.

and if it means anything, i changed out my oil and oil filter yesterday.

wbeck257 · December 30, 2008, 12:45:41 PM

Is it as you are letting out the clutch?

hyphen · December 30, 2008, 01:17:58 PM

Quote from: wbeck257 on December 30, 2008, 12:45:41 PM
Is it as you are letting out the clutch?

yeah

Bill in OKC · December 30, 2008, 02:30:59 PM

That description sounds very similar to my (then) new S4Rs. The clutch was slipping until I replaced the springs with stainless - stronger ones. You *could* have a some kind of problem that is causing it to slip.

Triple J · December 30, 2008, 03:12:42 PM

Do you have an open clutch cover?

If not, it could just be dust build up in the plates. I wouldn't describe it as a squeak...more like a moan. It happens when taking off in 1st gear.

Try taking off the clutch cover and blowing out the clutch with compressed air. You can also spray some water in there to rinse out the dust. If you use water, lean the bike over to get all the water out when you're done...then start it for a couple minutes (hold a rag over the top as it will fling dirty water everywhere).

I'd have to do this every few months on the Multi before I got an open cover, which allows all the clutch plate dust to vent.

hyphen · December 30, 2008, 03:20:23 PM

righteous. i'll try that first thing tomorrow. thanks for the input.

wbeck257 · December 30, 2008, 03:52:30 PM

Quote from: hyphen on December 30, 2008, 01:17:58 PM
yeah

No frown, that is a good thing.
It is just a build up of dust. Take the clutch cover off and spray air in it.

If are you are willing, shuffle some of the plates around in the clutch too.

hyphen · December 30, 2008, 09:08:47 PM

yessir, that sure fixed the problem. i didn't use air though, instead i just gave the whole area a wipe down with a damp cloth. thanks guys.

red baron · January 01, 2009, 08:15:35 AM

Get an open cover on that thing.

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low pitched squeak out of first gear?

Triple J