Topic: Clutch Question

[Dirty Steve]

Hi all...I did a search and couldn't find what I was looking for so here goes:
I've got a CB 750K5 and at idle with the bike in neutral there's a light rattling coming from the clutch which goes away if I pull in on the lever just a littl bit. I can adjust the nut at the lever or at the clutch so that it goes away, but then there is no free play in the lever. I also tried adjusting the screw under the cover ( loosening it, turning it clockwise until I feel resistence, then backing off a quarter turn) and it made no difference.
Next, with the cover off and the engine idling, I pulled in the clutch until the rattling went away and took note of how much the screw had turned, then adjusted the screw so that it was in that position with the clutch disengaged (i.e. an eighth-inch of slack in the hand lever) and still no difference.
I'm using Honda 10W-40 oil.
Any ideas?

[Retro Rocket]

Any ideas?

Yes, its normal , think yourself lucky its not a dry clutch....

[Dirty Steve]

Really? It's gotten louder since I first noticed it.

[Jayelwin]

My 750 K5 rattles too.


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[Tempast]

My dads '72 750, '78 750 and my '77 550F all do it. It's a Honda thing. The '78 (which I daily) is especially loud when she's cold in the morning. Kind of funny actually, because people think the bikes running like a POS. Then I get her warm and she's quiet as a mouse until about 4k, where she almost sounds straightpiped

[Dirty Steve]

Huh...okay. I can live with that. I had just changed the oil and I think it may have been louder because the oil hadn't circulated yet. It seemed to get quieter after it warmed up.
Thanks for your input.

[Wobbly]

It's the clutch basket.

[evanphi]

For me it rattles when the engine is cold and is on the sidestand. My solution... vacuum sync! Once warmed up and on the centre stand, it sounds like a sewing machine! Still happens a little bit when on the sidestand though.

Sync your carbs and see if it still does it on the centre stand. Even if it does... it is normal!

[Wobbly]

When the rattle goes away when engaging the clutch, it's the clutch basket. Otherwise, you would be correct. However, the CB Fours rattle at idle even when new--so I am not sure about the "sewing machine" comparison.  The rattle gets worse with wear but is typical for those bikes. If the rattle disappears, one needs to worry.

[martin99]

For me it rattles when the engine is cold and is on the sidestand. My solution... vacuum sync! Once warmed up and on the centre stand, it sounds like a sewing machine! Still happens a little bit when on the sidestand though.

Sync your carbs and see if it still does it on the centre stand. Even if it does... it is normal!

I responded to a similar question with the same advice, a short while ago. The OP asked why carb synch should have any effect, and I have to admit I could not answer him. 
But I am also convinced it helps, although as I usually only vacuum synch after a 3K tune-up it may be just the fact that a well-timed, sweet running engine helps to reduce the noise, rather than the synch on its' own.
As has been said, it's normal for these to have clutch rattle. I've had four, they've all done it, so has every other one I've come across.