Hey everyone. Here it is just three weeks before I take off to Deals Gap and I've developed a problem and am in need of an answer or advice now. Got a 6 gen. with about 6700 miles on it. Just got back from a three hour ride and was lubing the chain, all of a sudden as I was rotating the tire I started hearing a clicking noise. Sounds as tho it's coming from the main drive sprocket area. I cleaned that area yesterday and wasn't getting any strange noise. It sounds as tho the chain is rubbing on something but the area is all clear. If I rotate the wheel backwards I don't get the clicking sound. I also loosened up the chain way loose and the sound goes away, then as I start to tighten the chain back within tolerance the sound comes back. The tranny shifts smooth and the noise is not noticeable at low speeds. While up on the center stand I can put the bike in gear, hold in on the clutch, rotate the wheel and still get the noise. Inspected the chain and all looks well.
Normal, no worries to have some clinking going on when the chain spins. May have some tight spots but nothing to worry about.
my '86 does the same, as the sproket teeth contact the rollers, there's a soft tink. only can hear it with the bike off. Once it's running, the sound of the cam gears and the supertrapps masks everything else. When my last chain was dead, and kinked like mad, I could hear it over the bike, and highway speed wind...
Hi boss! Yay! Deals Gap time. Not to overly reiterate the obvious, but a minor ticking for every link is indeed normal. If you want to make yourself feel better, you can do a chain adjustment. At the same time you will be re-lubing the barrels of the links, and thus servicing and ensuring your chain is good for your ride. Non-O ring chains – These chains will click, tho not as loud. Generally you would want to ensure you have good clean grease for your chain. O-Ring chains – These chains will also click, but not as loudly as a std Non O-Ring chain. Lube points are on the outsides of the links. NOT the barrel…but getting the barrel wont hurt anything, just make a mess when you hit 25 mph. Double O-Ring aka X-Ring chains – These chains may or may not click. It just depends on how well the rear tire is lined up. Lube points are at the inner wall of the outer link. Here is a simple test you can do to realign your chain, and ensure its tensioned properly. Lift the rear tire off the ground. Put the bike in neutral. Sit directly behind the tire, and spin it in the direction of travel. (Important part): watch closely the teeth of the rear gear, and their position within the barrel gap of the chain. (may need to loosen the axel bolt if you need to make an adjustment for the next part) If the tooth is to the left, then adjust your RIGHT wheel tension screw. If the tooth is more to the right, then adjust your LEFT wheel tension screw. After you get the gear teeth in the exact center, keep spinning the tire, and apply your lube bar, or spray lube. Apply the lube for a few full revolutions, to ensure you flush out all the old grease. Double check the chain slack per your manual, and tighten her back down. Done. If your chain still clicks, don’t worry, whats happening is for your chain, each barrel is catching a tooth, then moving sharply into the space between each tooth. When the steel on steel hits, it makes a tap noise. As the chain stretches, and the gear teeth ware, this becomes more audible.
Thanks guys for the info. I readjusted the chain and once again I get this clicking, no, it's more like a popping sound. It's not the light clicking sound your describing, it's a distinct pop, and it just started. Upon inspection of the drive sprocket I can see where the chain has actually made indentations into the sprocket body. Every indication that I'm running the chain way to tight, however I am adamant about chain adjustment and leave about 1-1/2" of slack and keep it well lubed. I backed the chain off some more and have enough free play that I can push the chain up into the bottom of the swing arm and now I have just the normal clicking a chain usually makes but it is way too loose. Just for piece of mind for the upcoming Deals Gap trip I've ordered an RK chain and sprocket set and will have it installed later in the week.
Get a new one ASAP! Is that 1.00 to 1.5 inches slack? or are you saying .500 to 1 inches? Cause the 1.00 to 1.50 is dangerous. Smart man! Good troubleshooting! When you get a new sprockets and chain, and then ride the dragon, send pics please!
From your description, it seems like you are running your chain too tight. As you said the manual calls for 25-35 mm (1 to 1 3/8s inches) of play. When you measure slack it is total deflection from center, not just in one direction. A little over an inch of play will allow the chain to touch the top of swing arm when pushed in that direction. Another indicator is - when the chain is adjusted with the right amount of slack there's not much room (maybe an inch or two) between the center stand, in the up position, and the chain. Action
Again thanks guys! That's the great thing about this site - you can always count on good advice. My bike has only 6700 miles on it (an 06) and I don't understand why the chain is going to crap. I've always kept it clean and well lubed, and I thot, properly adjusted. I purchased the bike with 1200 miles on it. The local dealer (Yamaha, Suzuki) I ordered the chain from said it was a 108 link chain. Well now I've got to straighten this shitz out. Everything I researched tonite says I've got a 110 link chain. The bikes from 98 to 01 have a 17 tooth drive sprocket and take the 108 link chain, from 02 thru 06 they have a 16 tooth drive sprocket and require the 110 link chain. All have a 43 tooth rear sprocket. Please correct if I'm wrong. I tell ya, if it ain't one thing it's 10 more!
allergies You said you lubed it so I will rule out a chain lube allergy.......as is VERY common.....I would think 15 to 20k would be a very realistic life for good chain.
Mark a link (magic-marker) and count them.... Should be 112 links......Measure slack...."Lightly touch" the bottom track with one finger pushing down....Check ruler mark to bottom of bottom track.........Then push bottom track up till it lightly stops.....Then check rule to top of bottom track....... 1½" ... Monk
Doodles law Doodlnators law of chain installation....measure once after ten beers..cut..apply three master links to new chain to fix cluster f@*#k and ride.:thumbsup::thumbsup:
110 links, I counted them last nite. In all the material I've read and researched the number 112 does not appear anywhere, it's either 108 links or 110 for the VFR.
doodles law of chain installation I do not want to come off like a pin head but, I just put a chain on last weekend and I put wheel adjustment to min and strung chain and marked it, cut it and put master in and adjusted.Never counted links. Just needed to know it fit.
