...might have screwed up.

[erkishhorde]

The easiest way to see if the chatter is due to the stand is to put the bike down. It probably is. Another thing to look at would be frozen links in your chain. With the bike off of course. Either way, it shouldn't be related to your levers.

[dgm]

...wish I could.  It's 20 degrees and snow covered roads around the block.  And, many little pieces are still at the powder coater.  So, unfortunately putting the bike down and letting the clutch out to test the chatter isn't an option for a while.   

I don't think it'd be frozen links, the bike only has 400miles on it.  Chain looks clean and well lubed.   

I agree with you that it shouldn't be related to the lever.... but since I can stop the chattering by adjusting the lever screw, I'm thinking it is at least partially related to it.   

[Howie]

Privateer has the correct answer,

with the wheel off the ground and the clutch out, the rear wheel will spin slowly.  The way I understand it, there's just enough pressure on the plates to spin the wheel.  With the bike's weight on it, it'll hold still.

particularly with a wet clutch and cold oil there may be enough clutch drag to transfer power to the rear wheel and you might get some chatter.  This is normal.  When you take out the free play it is the same as slightly squeezing the lever (clutch partially disengaged) so the chatter stops.  If you can find neutral easy with the wheel on the ground and the oil warm with play adjusted to 1.5-2mm there is nothing wrong.  

[dgm]

Cool.... thanks.   I guess I'll just have to be patient for now. 

something else to note, I put the original clutch lever back on, which had never had the adjustment screwed moved, and the same thing happened....chain jumping around when clutch fully out. 

[Howie]

Oh, if you find there you are having trouble finding neutral after you put the bike together bleed the clutch again and tie the lever to the grip over night.  In theory, bleeding is simple, in practice, not always.  Do expect difficulty finding neutral when the oil is cold.  57K on the original clutch on mine and there is still drag on a cold day for a block or two.  This is normal and nothing to worry about.  If you do not have enough free play in the clutch it will slip, wear prematurely and not be covered by warranty.

[dgm]

really appreciate all the advice Howie.  working on my own bikes in my own garage is one of my favorite things to do (right behind riding them) and having helpful folks on great forums is great! 

[Speeddog]

Don't base your clutch adjustment on how the bike acts when running on a stand.

And FWIW, a bike running in gear on a stand isn't a very safe practice.

[stopintime]

..................   

I agree with you that it shouldn't be related to the lever.... but since I can stop the chattering by adjusting the lever screw, I'm thinking it is at least partially related to it.   

I think the chain chatters because the engine runs a little rough on idle, making the spinning wheel catch up on it - which will result in a slack, then tight, then a slack again ... a.s.o.
Adjusting the free play screw too far in is like pulling the lever a little bit, making the clutch slip and even out the difference in wheel and engine speed = no chain chatter.
No expert, but it might be a correct understanding....

ps it would also mean the lever screw is too far in.

[monstermick58]

I think the chain chatters because the engine runs a little rough on idle, making the spinning wheel catch up on it - which will result in a slack, then tight, then a slack again ... a.s.o.
Adjusting the free play screw too far in is like pulling the lever a little bit, making the clutch slip and even out the difference in wheel and engine speed = no chain chatter.
No expert, but it might be a correct understanding....

ps it would also mean the lever screw is too far in.

+1 on what stopintime said


Let me see if I can give you an analogy,

Ah yes, lets take a kite for example.

When a kite is up in the air it has the power of wind to keep it up, you can pull rapidly on the string and the kite will not jerk about, it'll just keep flying smoothly because of the above mentioned power that is applied (so thats like your bike riding along the road).

The kite is now on the ground, you grab the string and pull it rapidly again, the kite wil jerk around on the ground because it does'nt have the wind behind it to smooth out the jerkiness. (this is like having your bike on the bike stand with the motor idling in gear and it jumps and jerks all over the place).

Hope that this makes sense,if not disregard, but having said all that, make sure that you have your chain correctly adjusted if not it will jump about more so.




                                      Mmick

[dgm]

You guys are awesome.  All the info is much appreciated!  Hoping to get all my parts back next week and get it all put back together. 

Thanks!

[Privateer]

Privateer has the correct answer

as infrequently as that happens, i wanted to quote it.