Need some help! On my 03 Foreman 450FM, I have developed a fairly loud rattley chatter on decel and using engine braking on hills. It sounds like a strip of tin in the spokes of a bike, a very tinny sound . It seems to only occur after the engine is hot and it is not consistant. Won't happen every time. When it is bad, I can get it to do it in neutral on decel. It seems to be loudest at the right side of front cover. Shifting and cluch operation has not been effected at all. Any ideas would be appreciated. Clutch assembly or timing chain or tenioner????

Does it matter if your in 2 or 4 wheel drive? First thought would be something with the centrifugal clutch but it shouldn't be doing it in neutral. Second thought is it might be in the drive line, maybe a coupler on the shaft from the motor to the front differential.

It does not matter about what gear it is in or 2 whl or 4 whl. When it is doing it bad, I can sit there in neutral and rev it up and hear the rattle on decel from the right front corner of the front cover. The sound can telegraph through the front cover but that is where it sounds loudest. So far, it won't do it cold. I have to ride it 5 minutes and it will start. Could oil pressure contribute to this in any way?

Possibly an exhaust shield type of rattle? That would be very tinny in sound. If mechanical and in the motor I would guess something with the centrifugal clutch.

It definately is not exhaust related. Looks like i'm pulling the front cover. Can you tell me if there is a special puller required for removal of the centrifical clutch assy? Am I better to pull the motor for this? Thanks for you help.

Basil

There is a special puller but I've seen a few online that used a 3 jaw puller and hose clamps to hold the jaws tight to pull it. It can be done in frame and I find it easiest to set the machine on it's rear rack (stand it up) to work on it.

Good advice. Thanks a heap. I'll give it a go in the next week or so.

Basil

Hey Toodeep. I finally have the front cover off, fly weights out and I see how the Honda puller would work. I have a selection of three jawed pullers at work. I'm wondering if these guys that used one were grasping the outside edge of the drum. I hesitate to do that in case the drum gets distorted from the pull. Any thoughts? I have not seen any source of the decel chatter but flicking a finger nail against the drum gives the same tinny ring I heard. I suspect the one way clutch may be at fault, all though, it turns one way fine with no sign of a problem. Fly weights and drum in good shape. Any thoughts?