I know this isn't a V forum but I think we have some of the better mechanical minds here. I have a 2007 V Star 650 that has a knocking/chattering sound at idle w/ clutch out. The noise goes away when the clutch is pulled in even the slightest bit. The noise seems to get slightly quieter when the bike warms up but only slightly. It runs great and other than the noise has no other issues. Before I go pulling the crankcase cover and inspecting the clutch assembly does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance!


Edit: I found a few sites that say this is normal. It is just strange because I happen to have 4 V Star 650's right now and this is the only noisy one out of the bunch. I have had many in the past as well and never noticed this noise. I just would hate to pull that cover if there is nothing wrong.

Sure you got enough oil in the bike?

Curt wrote:
Sure you got enough oil in the bike?

Yeah I just serviced it and it has the 2.75 quarts that it calls for. What makes me think it's the clutch plates chattering is the noise completely goes away when the clutch is pulled. The bike only has 6000 miles on it so unless the PO was a maniac the clutch should be good.

I don't recall if my 650 did that or not I only kept it 2 months before I bought my 05.

I had an '03 650 and don't recall it doing that. Mine were just sticky from PO letting it sit almost a year before I bought it.

i had a 2004 650 v star for 2 years never had a sound like that and i had 17000 on the odo. sold my 650 to buy a fixer uper roadstar. may be the clutch has to much play. but i dunno.

Pull the cover and inspect it. All the guessing in the world won't tell you anything without a look see. Check out a parts breakdown there are a couple of things that may have loosened up to cause your noise. One is a big nut with a locking tab washer. IMO whatever is making the noise will be obvious once you get in there.

davej wrote:
Pull the cover and inspect it. All the guessing in the world won't tell you anything without a look see. Check out a parts breakdown there are a couple of things that may have loosened up to cause your noise. One is a big nut with a locking tab washer. IMO whatever is making the noise will be obvious once you get in there.

Thanks davej - this is one of those times when I knew the answer but didn't like it so I asked the question anyway - if that makes sense. I guess I need to at least pick up a gasket first before diving in. Does anyone have any mechanic in a bottle?!?!?!?!?

Judging from some of the projects I've seen you tackle in the past this will be a walk in the park for you.

I finally went out and checked out the V Star. It appears to be a simple adjustment to the clutch or at least I am hoping so. The clutch assembly looked good and everything was torqued properly. You could wiggle the basket back and forth and duplicate the noise I was hearing and now with it properly adjusted it is tight. Wish me luck as now I have to wait for the dealer to get the gasket in before I can put it back together and test it.