Shadow Spirit Annoying Chattering Noise

[ToddSpirit]

Hi. I'm looking for a recommendation that could help me eliminate a very annoying problem with my 2003 Honda Shadow Spirit 750. About six weeks ago, I had the clutch replaced on the bike. A couple hundred of miles afterward, the bike started to make a very annoying chattering noise at certain RPM levels. This is most audible in second gear between 30mph and 35mph, but also audible in third gear and in first gear at about 20mph. In neutral, the noise is audible if the bike is revved very hard. When the bike is started cold, I cannot hear the noise for the first 5 or 10 minutes of riding.

I do regular chain maintenance and recently replaced the chain, so it's not a chain problem. I took the bike back to the shop that did the clutch replacement, and the mechanic told me that there is nothing wrong with it, and I should not concern myself about the noise. I got the same result when taking the bike to a Honda dealership in my area. I happen to agree. The bike is mechanically sound and rides fine. But the chattering noise is just so frigging annoying. It's the audible equivalent of a bike's having a huge dent that does not affect the quality of the ride.

Can someone please help me or recommend a shop that can help me in the Portland, Oregon, area?

Thanks,
Todd

[SHADOW 1100T]

The clutch won't chatter under load, it can't , it's locked up so it must be something else, check the heat guards for anything loose, check the Exhaust pipe to see if it's close to anything, he pulled the pipes when he did the clutch replacement so something might be misaligned, doing it at different speeds indicates that it's a RPM vibration frequency thing.

[ToddSpirit]

Thanks for the helpful response. I've discovered a bit more information that might be helpful in identifying fixing the problem. The chattering stops or subsides when the bike is tilted in either direction, and particularly when it is on its kickstand. When it is in neutral but in an upright position, it chatters just like it does in first and second. Only when the bike is on the stand does it require very high RPMs for it to chatter in neutral. I had a friend sit on the bike today while I listened for the source of the noise, and it appears to be coming directly from the gearbox. I cannot be 100% sure of its location, but this makes me think there was a problem with the clutch installation. Do you think this will be complicated to fix? Can I do it myself, or should I go to a professional?
Todd

[SHADOW 1100T]

Do you think this will be complicated to fix?
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Well,,,,first one would have to know what is causing the problem to be able to say one way or the other

Can I do it myself, or should I go to a professional?
Todd
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Working on a clutch really isn't that big of a job but having never done anything like that you wouldn't know what to look for so my vote is for you to take it to someone that can figure it out, do what you did with the mechanic, it might be in the tranny but sounds travel in a engine and can really fool ya, it's going to be interesting to find out just what it is.

[jpr1968]

Did they have to take the exhaust off to change the clutch? Could be a loose heat shield or pipe. I don't see how the mechanic could say it's not a problem, if he doesn't know what's causing the noise. If it is something loose, that something could come all the way off when you are riding and that could be a real problem. If the sound wasn't there before it was worked on, then it has to be something the mechanic did.

[jpfxst]

sounds like something came loose,, check all your bolts nut's and washers, maybe one worked itself loose