Hello My 748 is making a metallic tapping sound (a bit like the tappet sound old cars used to make) its not mega loud but defo a metallic sound that goes in time with the engine can’t really hear it above 6k but my exhausts are noisy! If I pull the clutch in the sound is not there, so I reckon it must be engine. It’s riding beautifully with perfect performance just seems a tad odd. It’s been so long done I’ve ridden it I can’t remember whether it was always there! It’s my age! Any ideas? Values were done two years again and I’ve done not many miles since then. Is it normal for them to make a bit of a mettalicy tapping noise? Any ideas/advice/opinions greatfully received. It’s just had belts changed and was doing this before then. Thanks Mark
if you are certain that all the sound disappears when you pull the clutch in, then it's the clutch Pidge..
If as you say, only with clutch released then "normal" :---) when new, then sound doesn't drown out engine quite as much but it doesn't take that long for the basket and friction plate tangs wear enough to produce that characteristic clacking sound, particularly if bike frequently left idling in neutral/clutch released. There is a crude mod that virtually removes this sound listed within this Forum - just search for "silent clutch mod".
Cheers for the info and advice Chris. All makes sense. It ‘taps’ in time with the engine as I accelerate i suppose I could try revving the engine with the clutch lever pulled in and see if it is there then. Just seems quite noisy when riding and as I said I can’t remember it being that noisy before! If it is normal that’s good. Is it worth having the clutch serviced bikes done 12k
I thought you meant only with bike stationary, clutch released or engaged in neutral. If you are including while moving then that’s a different matter.
Yep it’s when I’m riding it a metallic tick/tapping sound in time with engine speed. If I coast with no revs and clutch lever in there is no sound so it must be engine/clutch/gears I suspect. Maybe they all do this, I don’t have anything to compare it to though as this is the only Duke I’ve owned.
I sent you a PM Pidge, see what others say but ideally I would say at this stage you would get someone reputable to have a listen or possibly a ride even. Distinguishing different sounds is almost impossible via the forum.
I’d remove the RHS fairing side and clutch cover and pressure plate/springs and take a look inside the clutch basket just to make sure all’s ok in there. If the bike’s been unused for a long while as you state (how long?) it may have corroded inside the clutch basket. This usually can be just cleaned out but it’s only a <30 minute job to check & make sure all is as it should be.
I prefer the word 'simple' to 'crude' When the tangs are really worn, the clacking happens when in gear and riding along as well but only on a neutral throttle. It shouldn't happen when accelerating or slowing down. If it is worn tabs that are producing the noise you are worried about, you are hearing it now because it gets progressively worse with wear and the wear accelerates as the clearance between the tabs and basket slots gets larger. The quiet clutch mod damps the oscillation of the clutch plates, cutting both noise and wear and works even on plates with severely worn tabs.
Hi Paul not too sure what I’m looking for though re looking in the clutch. The bike has been inside a dry garage for a year, I did ride it briefly last summer but not that much. I had the valves and top end serviced three years ago and its not done many miles since then really. Am i looking for rusty clutch plates then? Thanks for your advice
Hi old rider, I’m sure the tapping is there on accelerating and slowing down. I’ll take it out again later to check. Thanks.
You’ll see straight away if it’s all rusted up or (hopefully not) there’s something amiss in there. A photo posted on here will solicit advice. Having checked the relatively obvious things then it’s as Chris says above, take it to your nearest Ducati service centre and get them to have a listen/ride. Better to be safe than sorry. ps. What year is the bike?
Ok, so it’s the later model generator, just trying to exclude whether it could be the flywheel nut working loose which affected pre ‘99 models. You’re ok.
