How to tell if my throwout bearing is bad

[Knuckles]

I searched and searched before posting.
I removed the bearing last night. It's all together and spoons freely. When I hold and spin it, you can hear a hissing, but metal on metal isn't going to be silent.....???
Reason I am posting is that I've been having a grinding noise coming from the primary, transmission, starter area. It's most noticeable at start up, but is there at lower rpm's also. I have everything torn down and only the 6 bolts holding the trans in left to remove. Before doing that was hoping to confirm if my throwout bearing is good/bad.
Anyone taken a new one and given it a spin? does it make a hissing noise or does that mean it's going out?
I've ridden over 1,000 miles since the noise started.
Don't want to pull the trans unless necessary, but maybe I should since I'm almost there already. I know Andrew can rebuild it better than new but....
I can't make a decision. help please!!!!

 

[RRRUFF]

If you can't see any visible defects then try to preload the bearing with your fingers and rotate and see if you can feel any grinding or defects. Should rotate freely and smoothly.

 

[bearman]

If it was bad it would make more noise with the clutch lever pulled in. if the noise doesn't change then the clutch lever is pulled then keep looking.

 

[erldawg]

How does the transmission main shaft feel when you spin it?

How many miles on the bike?

 

[JeffM]

Sounds to me like "Another Clutch Hub Nut" is loose.
Boy there has been a special on them this month.

I would check that first, take off, clean, red locktite, and re-torque (left hand thread)

 

[Macdwn]

Might check your starter jackshaft and see if it is fully disengaging. If you have a slam button installed your adjustment may be off and holding it out or your spring in starter is bad. Had the same problem last year and that was my issue.

 

[Knuckles]

thanks for the replies. clutch hub was tight and main shaft seems to turn smooth and no play. 28,000 on the bike. Baker rebuilt the trans at about 14k, but after talking to others, found out they use cheap bearings.
I'm going to have it rebuilt again, with good bearings this time, and see if that solves my nose problem. That last time was a completely different noise. it was a growl on decel. this time it's more noticeable at low rpms.
Also going to replace the throughout bearing although I don't think that is my issue. anyway, I'll have a spare I guess. since I have it torn down so far also going to have the starter looked at.