Help me with a loud ,scary "clunking" sound.....

[sims159914]

OK I'll try to explain this as best I can.   When I am starting out in first gear I will hear a loud clunk comming from the gearbox.  It is most noticable while riding with a passenger and if feathering out the clutch.   Any ideas of what to check?  I said scary in my title because it sounds like it might be something major, just wanted to get some opions before I put it in the shop.     

[He Man]

If its a clunk when you go from Neutral to 1st, its normal. It would be more pronounced if your clutch is slipping a bit and your chain is loose.

[sims159914]

its not so much that....I hear it when letting out the clutch in first gear.   It goes from neutral to 1st just fine.

[tangueroHondo]

Can't be good.  Don't have a clue.  Sorry.   

[Hedgehog]

It would help a lot if we had some idea what bike you were riding.  It would also be good to know if you've taken anything off of the engine, such as the countershaft cover.

But, knowing nothing about your bike, and assuming it's a dry clutch model with 30,000 miles on it, I'd suggest it might be the clutch hub thrust washer.  To check, pull the clutch cover, and see if you can move the clutch assembly in and out.  If it's a brand new bike or a wet clutch, then it's undoubtedly something else.

[sims159914]

Sorry, Your right that would help... It's a '99 m900 with 9500 miles. I havent taken anything off the bike and havent checked it out yet.  It just started about 2 weeks ago and i have only ridden it about 4 times since for less than 100 miles.

[Jarvicious]

You might want to check the rotary girder specs on the counter pulley drive system.  I had that happen last year and it totally discombobulated the 2nd gear torsionary belt cover.  Just my .02$

[printman]

Things to check:

does it push smoothly in neutral? feel OK in all other situations?

I would lean towards a bad sprocket / chain or most likely bad cush drive bushings

Hopefully not gearbox issues

[sims159914]

good call.....just checked the chain and it seems VERY loose.  it is laying on the swing arm.....that may be my problem, but how did it get so loose in the first place?

[numbskull]

The chain is laying on the swingarm?  That's a pretty serious problem even if it's not the cause of the sound. Get that fixed right away.

[Hedgehog]

good call.....just checked the chain and it seems VERY loose.  it is laying on the swing arm.....that may be my problem, but how did it get so loose in the first place?

You're supposed to adjust those things every 500 miles.

[sims159914]

OK so I might not be the brightest on this board, but could you explain how to adjust the chain?   

[Hedgehog]

OK so I might not be the brightest on this board, but could you explain how to adjust the chain?   

It's in the owners manual and the service manual.  There are also numerous sites online to explain how to do it.  I'm not assaulting your intelligence or your integrity.  Apparently your dealer didn't prepare you for this aspect of owning a bike.

[Bill in OKC]

As above - Possibly worn cush drive where the rear sprocket mates to the wheel.  Loose chain - could be slipping a tooth on one of the sprockets - check front and rear sprockets for tooth wear.