Noise while coasting (clutch?)

[WarriorAF]

Ok, so I purchased the warrior ('07 w/4k miles) about a month ago and absolutely love it. However, since I have been riding it more I have been noticing what seems like a lot of noise when coming to a stop. It's not brakes, and I can hear it whether the clutch is in or out. I regularly downshift, I don't just pull the clutch in and use the brakes. It's not a grinding noise but it sounds un-lubricated/like it's louder than it should be. This is my first bike so it may be totally normal. I had it in to Yamaha to have them go through it and they said it sounded ok, fluid levels good etc. If I understand it right, the tranny/clutch share the engine oil, is it possible that something could be plugged and is starving the clutch of lubrication?

Bottom line: How much noise should I be hearing when coming to a stop, aside from engine noise?

[parkinglot]

Wheel it around motor off in neutral and in gear with the clutch pulled in..could be a drive belt, dyna beads in the tires. Loose license plate..
D

[LeaderDuece]

Hmmm... could be the belt. Put a little soapy water on it and give it a ride. Soapy water will quiet a dirty belt for a few miles, but that's about it. That won't solve anything, but it would remove it from your list of possible problems.

You could have a misaligned belt (or rear wheel) bad front output shaft bearings, bad wheel bearings... ah the list goes on...

Try what Parkinglot said first. It's a good start.

[yamaweezle]

Is your front tire cupped?

[idontknow]

Are you saying its not the brakes because you arent using the brake pedals? I do believe the pads still slightly touch the rotors even without the brakes engaged?

[californiacruiser]

Is it coming from the front, and does it sound like a cow mooing? Cause if so, mine has done the same thing since I got it and I can't find anything. Thinking maybe front axle bearing...

[arizonawarrior]

Wash out front and rear brakes to remove dust etc from between the pads and rotor and see if it goes away. If it does not go away then spin each tire with the wheel off the ground. If that's not it then keep the rear off the ground and start the motor and let the rear wheel spin momentarily while you listen for it. If not then get a buddy to rolol your bike (motor off) in a safe roadway in a straight line while you jog alongside to determine what general area its coming from. Try in neutral, and in gear holding clutch. Listen at wheel bearings, axles, front pulley, and brake rotor/caliper.

When the season has been dry a long time it seems like a number of those faint noises while rolling can be related to brake pads touching the rotors a hint. That might mean it needs a good wash or might mean a brake piston is sticky.

[wingthor]

u better check front drive pulley nut, had strange noise myself sounded about the same turned out to be loose drive pulley

[WarriorAF]

Thanks for the ideas, everyone. I finally got around to checking it out (that pesky job is getting in the way) I put it up on the lift and here is what I found:
...no noise from the rear wheel spinning it in neutral
...brake pads rubbing in the front making a little noise, will clean but I don't think it's significant
...started the bike and engaged first gear, didn't notice anything excessive
...took off the front pulley cover, nut was tight, it was dirty but I didn't notice any red dust, the nut holding it on was different than the one in the manual, no tabs but it was staked, have you seen that?

What I'm not sure about is that when the bike is off and I put it in 1st gear, I can't rotate the rear wheel with the clutch in, is this normal? Also, when the bike is running and I put it in 1st, the back wheel spins even with the clutch pulled in.

I think the noise I am hearing is coming when I am rolling in gear, even with the clutch in. When in gear, is the rear wheel turning the transmission even with the clutch pulled in? If that is not how it is supposed to work, the clutch may not be engaging fully. Test riding this afternoon to re-assess.

Whaddya think?

[arizonawarrior]

The staked nut and conical washer is stock for the later model years, no worries.
This appears in the 2005 service manual supplement.

Hopefully if you come to a stop without using the front brake then the pads will be clear of the rotors and no noise when spinning the elevated front tire. By nature the pads stay close and the action of the front wheel bumps the pads back while riding. No worries on this.

The wet clutch may not be engaging fully or dis-engaging fully due to clutch cable adjustment, or it could be a bit stuck by-nature just from being parked awhile so its best to ride it awhile and get it hot, then re-test.