Noisy chain

[Eric]

Hi guys

My chain is about 28000km old and well looked after most of the time. Have just noticed that during and after wet weather the chain is making a clicking noise. Its been Ok when the weather has been dry for a couple of days.

The chain is probably a little beyond the 30mm slack its suppose to be.

My question:
Would the chain stop making the noise if adjusted appropriately?
Is the chain just getting too old. Sprockets looking OK.

Anyone else has this problem during the wet weather?

My bike is a Vstrom 1000. And no its never been off roading in the dirt, which would almost be an obvious thing to replace the chain and sprockets if I had been at 28000K's

feedback appreciated.

Eric

[Radar]

From what I have heard, a noisy chain indicates that it needs replacing. 28,000 km seems a lot; I thought most chains only last around 12 - 15,000 km. Does your bike have a Scott Oiler?

[Pwalo]

That's pretty good chain life for a big twin. I presume that you give it a clean and lube regularly.

FWIW you're better to be slightly on the loose side rather than too tight as far as slack goes.

It's impossible to give a definitive answer without seeing your chain, but if it's noisy, and adjustment and lubing make no difference I'd be looking at getting a replacement set.

[Eric]

Thanks guys.

Would the semi wet chain give more noise? It appears to be well oiled.
I know that the scott oiler is great. But the sort of oil/lubricant I have been using is the thicker chainsaw oil. Sticks better I've been told and is designed for using on chains ofcourse:laugh:

Or am I susing the wrong product......I might need to know for the future I guess.

Mmmmm.... maybe its just the amount of KM's the bike has done and that its purely wear and tear.

I have made a oiler myself which works pretty well. My chain looks nice and shiney and I tend to keep all the road dirt of the large back sprocket as well.

So what sort of chain is the best one to get. I guess that there is a 'self lubricating' one, but still needs the attention of a normail chain.

All in all 2 sprockets and a new chain would cost how much?

[OutForADuck]

Thanks guys.

....

All in all 2 sprockets and a new chain would cost how much?

Don't expect changed from a couple of hundred :shit: or a bit more... but I suppose compared to the cost of registration these days not too bad :eek:


BTW:
Scott oilers use a thinner oil because it has to drip and be easy to clean (because of constant drip).... if you are doing it manually you should use an evaporative oil (thinner going on then thickens) so it sticks... But be aware its harder to clean up too :mellow:

[MSTRS]

Chain/sprocket set (presume is 530?) around $300. I stopped using oil ages back when I discovered the delights of aerosol waxes. The clicking sound is probably a tight spot on the chain, releasing from the front sprocket. Chances are you will need to replace it. Chains/sprockets wear together so always replace the lot together.
As far as what is best...there are differing opinions (of course), but you shouldn't go wrong with a DID HD X-ring chain.

[Eric]

Chain/sprocket set (presume is 530?) around $300. I stopped using oil ages back when I discovered the delights of aerosol waxes. The clicking sound is probably a tight spot on the chain, releasing from the front sprocket. Chances are you will need to replace it. Chains/sprockets wear together so always replace the lot together.
As far as what is best...there are differing opinions (of course), but you shouldn't go wrong with a DID HD X-ring chain.

True thats what Wellington Motorcycles said. They said its cheaper to buy a whole set, sprockets and chain. Rather than a chain by itself. So am planning to book the bike in soon. Thanks for the advice.

cheers Eric

[MSTRS]

You are welcome. Keep your new one well-lubed and adjusted correctly and you should get 40/50,000kms or more.

[cs363]

I'd say at 28,000km that chain will be well and truly past it's use by date.
+ 1 vote for DID chain, it's good stuff and add another vote for chain wax and/or fling free type spray grease. Not a big fan of oilers myself, in fact the bike I've just bought has a Scott Oiler fitted which I'll be removing and putting up for sale if anyone is looking for one.

[Taz]

I'd say at 28,000km that chain will be well and truly past it's use by date.
+ 1 vote for DID chain, it's good stuff and add another vote for chain wax and/or fling free type spray grease. Not a big fan of oilers myself, in fact the bike I've just bought has a Scott Oiler fitted which I'll be removing and putting up for sale if anyone is looking for one.

Why remove the scottoiler? They are fantastic.

[cs363]

Why remove the scottoiler? They are fantastic.


Certainly not bagging them, it's a great product that works and lots of people swear by them. Personally I don't like all the oil that gets flung off (no different to conventional chain lubes/oils) and prefer to run a high quality chain, cleaned and lubed with chain wax or similar. It's a personal preference as these days I don't get to ride every day and have plenty of time to tinker with my bikes, which includes the cleaning and lubing process.
For those that do big mileage and ride everyday in all conditions they are a good thing.

So....you want to make an offer on it? :laugh:

[FJRider]

Certainly not bagging them, it's a great product that works and lots of people swear by them. Personally I don't like all the oil that gets flung off (no different to conventional chain lubes/oils) and prefer to run a high quality chain, cleaned and lubed with chain wax or similar. It's a personal preference as these days I don't get to ride every day and have plenty of time to tinker with my bikes, which includes the cleaning and lubing process.
For those that do big mileage and ride everyday in all conditions they are a good thing.

So....you want to make an offer on it? :laugh:

They are able to be adjusted to control flow rate. dry low speed stuff ... cut it back. wet/dirty times..bump flow rate up a bit. Its just a dial you turn... but if you prefer doing it manually...

[cs363]

They are able to be adjusted to control flow rate. dry low speed stuff ... cut it back. wet/dirty times..bump flow rate up a bit. Its just a dial you turn... but if you prefer doing it manually...

Yes I know all that, but I do prefer my method/products....call me old fashioned... :D

[FJRider]

Yes I know all that, but I do prefer my method/products....call me old fashioned... :D

Your old fashioned...

[cs363]

Your old fashioned...


Inevitable.... :laugh: :done:

[slimjim]

yup clicking noise..its fucked chain...however if you really need to adjust it before haveing chain and spockets replaced.......put bike on centre stand...slowly spin wheel til you feel tight spot of chain...adjust your chain slack from this point only.don't over-tighten.check chain again..pay attention again to tight spot..never adjust chain in loose part of chain as the chain can snap at fucked link if rear end drops into hole or bumps in roadway....generally would say 40000-50000 km's if chain is well mantained...have just had chain and spockets on the xjr 1300 and completed 54000km's on them....and thats a lot of horsepower looked after by chain

[Flip]

Just my plug for a scotts oiler. Had a Trophy 1200, the first chain lasted 14k. Got a new X ring DID chain and fitted a oiler. It does make a mess over time but its only oil and its easy to clean off. The second chain was only adjusted once after another 15k and was still going strong when I sold the bike at 70k. If I had another chain drive bike I would fit one, it paid for itself many many times over.
The chain is stuffed when the chain wears and grows and doesent match the pitch of the sprocket. The chain manuifacturer will list a maximium pitch for the chain length ie measure the length of say 10-20 chain links and do a little maths. I would say 28k or 2-3 tyres is a good run for a chain.