I'm bumping this old thread because I just had the same issue, on my 2000 SMS and sheared the key on the crankshaft. Luckily I was close to a friend's garage and I managed to open the RH side to find the culprit. Thing is, the tab under the nut was properly bent and the nut SEEMED to be alright, although it barely had any torque at all. EVERYONE check the torque on that nut even if it looks alright, becuas mine wasn't. I finally realized that the clocking noise I heard at idle wasn't the clutch but the CB gear slamming on the woodruff key...
I fixed the broken key, the bike runs much better and quieter. The strange thing is thst the gear shifting gas become a bit sitffer than it used to be, and the bike seems to drag the clutch when still in 1st. I just replaced the oil, so that's out of the equation. It's not that dramatic but enough for me to notice it. Any ideas?
The clutch hub nut was slightly loose (probably messer up during reassembly. torqued it properly and added some threadlock. Gear shifts are smooth again
