Here we go... 2009 Monster 696 with ~24k miles on it, rode in all weather but pretty well taken care of. Lately started thinking there were clutch issues because at slower speeds and lower rpm's I was hearing grinding type sounds coming from the clutch side of the bike. It sounded almost as if the clutch was slipping/grinding and then knocking back into gear, thought maybe I need to replace the plates or that the clutch fluid was bad. Drained the lines and put in new fluid, ordered replacement clutch pack just in case (Barnett kit w/ kevlar friction plates, any info/opinions on these?) but the problem persists and actually got worse on my next/last ride... Last night when moving my bike a short distance there was the worst squealing/grinding sound that's happened yet, so I parked the bike. :'( I wasn't wearing a helmet because I was just moving it in the driveway and so I noticed the sound seemed to come more so from the rear axle? And the feeling was almost like the rear wheel's rotation was getting locked up in certain points, at which points the awful sounds occurred..
I'm somewhat mechanically inclined but still learning, this is my first bike. I've read a lot of threads on clutch issues and rear wheel issues but all I've seen addressed were rear wheel issues due to the rear brake rotor being warped or the pads being positioned incorrectly, both of which I don't think are the case. I rarely use the rear brake and the same pads have been in there forever, whereas the problem just began. And my problems don't fully relate to any of the clutch problems I've read about other people having in other threads.
Professional or personal opinions/input? Could it be the rear wheel bearings? That's the only other thing I could think of that could possibly? cause these problems?
[bang]
TLDR:
Squealing/Grinding in rear wheel/axle. Rear wheel locking up in certain positions accompanied by awful sounds. What could be the cause? And could it cause clutch issues/damage?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, I'm dying here not being able to ride! haha
Thanks guys!
When were the chain and sprockets last replaced?
Remove the chain. Rotate wheel. Noise gone? chain problem. Noise still there? Remove rear brake caliper or just push the pads back. Noise still there? remove wheel and check bearings, cush drive, etc.
Chain and sprocket changed ~1200 miles ago if that.
And thanks howie, do the symptoms sound as if they could be the bearing, cush drive, etc.?
Can't say since I can neither hear or feel what is happening. I would not ride the bike until I found the problem though.
Howie beat me to it. But you can run a process of elimination on the final drive, rear brake and bearings pretty quickly. Do as he recommends and it'll allow you to quickly narrow down things.
Thanks guys, and yeah it being the best idea to not ride was the hardest pill to swallow..