Grinding noise

[Broox]

For the past 2 days my 2004 gs500f has started making some yucky noises. Its making a grinding noise when I pull in the clutch and let off the throttle. I haven't done any major maintenance to it recently. Could this be the clutch going out? Any idea what this could be? Let me know if there is any other information that could help.

[Paulcet]

How's your chain?

[Broox]

My chain is pretty droopy! That was the next thing on my list to replace/fix.

[cheetahman]

Chain's prolly hittin the center stand.

[Broox]

I will get the chain replaced and see if that fixes it.

[bombsquad83]

You might just need to give the chain some more tension with the adjustments on the swingarm.

[Broox]

Got the chain tightened last night and the grinding noise went away! Thanks for advice.

But then this morning I go to start my bike and my clutch handle pulled in WAY to easily and didn't spring back when I let it go like the clutch cable got disconnected somewhere. I looked on the handle and it was still connected there. I had to get to work so I unfortunately had to take the truck So I will have to figure out what is up with that when I get off work tonight.

[bombsquad83]

Sounds like you need a new clutch cable, or it's extremely slacked somehow.

[Broox]

Yeah it has like zero tension to it at all. I am worried the cable needs to be compleatly replaced. I better get on it tonight I have a ride tomorrow!

[Paulcet]

Probably broken cable. Remove the sprocket cover on the left side and see if the cable is attached there.  Check also for broken mechanism there.

[cheetahman]

OOOOOOOO...did you say sprocket cover?  He just fiddled with the chain.  Did you remove the chain or have a knot of chain drag through, over the top of the engine sprocket?

[bombsquad83]

I hope he didn't over tighten the chain either.  I didn't mention that there should be about 1 inch of freeplay in the middle of the chain, and that you should loosen the castle nut on the rear axle before adjusting the chain.

[Broox]

Nope I didn't remove the chain, and it is tightened to 1 inch of play in the middle. The chain was very loose so I am not sure what kind of damage it could of done. Been trying to look for a guide to replacing the clutch cable and cant find anything on this crazy thing called the internet.

[Broox]

ok so i removed the sproket cover and found that the metal rod that the end of the clutch cable goes into was snapped in half! It is a metal rod about 3 inches long. Anyone know what this part is called?

[Precisi0n]

Here's a link to the parts microfiche for the clutch...http://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID/26/Type/CLUTCH/MakeID/2/Make/Suzuki/YearID/42/Year/2001/ModelID/6423/Model/GS500/GroupID/266839/Group/CLUTCH.  I think you're referring to part 23111-24A01 (rod, clutch push).

[Paulcet]

Lots of info in this thread: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=58302.0

[Broox]

Here are a few pictures of this mess. So it looks like i need a new clutch push rod. I think it should be #20 on that clutch parts list.

[Broox]

I just want to thank everyone for the help. I got the push rod in the mail last week and put it in this weekend. And now my clutch works like a charm. In the process i was able to clean out the inside of the sprocket cover as you can see in the pictures that thing was dirty!