Hello, I will probably purchase a 99 k1200rs this weekend but I have a question involving the clutch noise. When disengaged it sounds like something is wrong with it. The owner says in is the "Box of Rocks" that is common for this bike. Is it normal and do I have anything to worry about?
I had an 03 K12RS, and they were known for the "box 'o rocks" sound. Difficult to know if your sound is what everybody else thought of as normal, but for sure, all of them had a rattling noise that could be mildly annoying, but was perfectly normal.
When I bought my first new 2002 K1200RS I was very embarrassed when at a red light with my box of rocks noise, I had a BMW! WTF.
I traded it for a 2004 K1200RS (not because of the noise) and I never have that noise on this bike, now having 45,000 miles and I put a new clutch in at 36,000, too many wheelies.
After being inside the clutch Assy I don’t see why it would make that noise and I don’t think it is the noise maker. I believe the noise is caused by the alternator drive.
I know when you pull in the clutch lever a little bit, that causes the box of rocks noise to stop, so you think it is the clutch making the noise.
But when you pull the clutch lever it pushed the clutch release rod against the clutch spring fingers that pushes on the clutch Assy that moves the crankshaft. That changes the drive driven gear position for the alternator drive. The box of rocks noise stops.
I maybe wrong on this.
I thought I was wrong once before, but I was mistaken.
Jeez Bazra, I just love your way with words.... your last paragraph made me laugh!!! My 02KRS hardly rattles at all with 77000km but then I have never attempted a wheelie let alone achieved one. With the clutch disengaged there is a sound that could be confused with the tupperware vibrating but thats all. Could the noise be associated with clutch or engine abuse over time? Then again I could be mistaken....
I think the noise is due to the lack of a flywheel and softening of the spring tension that's supposed to keep the intermediate shaft gears in tight mesh, there's also backlash through the tranni gears which are going to wobble back and forth and clunk about.. Some of it comes from the clutch push rod too.
But once you have positive drive through the rear wheel (The Flywheel! ), all is usually quiet.
Embarrassed by sound of a dry clutch? Ducati 999-Dry Clutch-once a kid said-Hey Mister-Is your bike broken?? Nope sonny. If I have to explain it -you wouldn't understand!
:spank1:
I had someone comment about the noise on my RS on the weekend at Frosty Mango (for non Aussies, a highway stop in the Tropics here in Nth Queensland).
I always thought it was the clutch - gear box as well. There you go, you learn something every day!
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