So I've started noticing that most of the time when I take off from first gear I feel a slight clunk from the lower left side of the bike. The sensation is similar to the side stand getting kicked up.
My gut tells me its the starter clutch bolts coming loose. Especially because before I recently replace my battery, I would sometimes get a loud snapping clunk sound when I would try to start the bike and it didn't have the juice to fully start the bike.
The problem is I just replaced the starter clutch and generator only 6,000 miles ago. See this thread: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=68907.msg829007#msg829007

Is there anything else that could be causing the clunk before I buy a new gasket and tear into the left side of the engine again?

Quote from: Bluesmudge on April 25, 2018, 05:19:40 PM
So I've started noticing that most of the time when I take off from first gear I feel a slight clunk from the lower left side of the bike. The sensation is similar to the side stand getting kicked up.
My gut tells me its the starter clutch bolts coming loose. Especially because before I recently replace my battery, I would sometimes get a loud snapping clunk sound when I would try to start the bike and it didn't have the juice to fully start the bike.
The problem is I just replaced the starter clutch and generator only 6,000 miles ago. See this thread: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=68907.msg829007#msg829007

Is there anything else that could be causing the clunk before I buy a new gasket and tear into the left side of the engine again?

Damn, I get that clunk too and was wondering what it was. I always just assumed it was something to do with the chain starting under tension.

I'd say you have a badly stretched chain. Its got a tight spot or a kink in it.
Starter clutch as much as it can cause trouble I don't see it getting involved after the bike's running or idling. Its involved at the start and a fraction later it should disengage. If it stays locked - it will act up all the way across and starwalt's syndrome is the result, where the starter is spun @ 3million rpm and it disintegrates. Look for his avatar - it looks like a bar end weight with ants spilling out, its not - its the starter with everything inside fragmented.

Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: The Buddha on April 26, 2018, 05:33:25 AM
I'd say you have a badly stretched chain. Its got a tight spot or a kink in it.
Starter clutch as much as it can cause trouble I don't see it getting involved after the bike's running or idling. Its involved at the start and a fraction later it should disengage. If it stays locked - it will act up all the way across and starwalt's syndrome is the result, where the starter is spun @ 3million rpm and it disintegrates. Look for his avatar - it looks like a bar end weight with ants spilling out, its not - its the starter with everything inside fragmented.

Cool.
Buddha.

My chain has no kinks or significant tight spots and as far as I can tell is within spec for slack (as said in my other thread it's got about an inch of play with me sat on it). I checked all the bearings around there and nothing seems off either, it's all rock solid. I think the sound might be the clutch itself and was going to inspect that at my next oil change.

Quote from: The Buddha on April 26, 2018, 05:33:25 AM
I'd say you have a badly stretched chain. Its got a tight spot or a kink in it.

Looks like you were right, as usual.
I checked my chain and it was a good bit more loose than the maximum Suzuki spec.
I think the sound I was hearing was the chain snapping onto the sprockets. Before tightening I could push/pull the chain on the rear sprocket and get a noise similar to was I was hearing while riding the bike.
The chain definitely has a tight spot. Also while cleaning it I had one disintegrated o-ring come out of a chain link. The chain looks good but apparently is on its last legs.
For now the bike rides as it should again. I should be able to eek out a few more city miles with this chain.