Tight-loose-tight-loose chain

**StephenG** · 5th October 2010, 17:25

Ok I took it for a 10 minute ride to make sure it was nice and warm so that the clicking wasn't some sort of oil thing.... still does it.

Originally Posted by MSTRS

New chain. Unfortunately, if you want it to last, you will need new sprockets as well. Because they need to wear together.
Otherwise your already-worn sprockets will just destroy the new chain in short order.

How do I convince the mechanic of this? He might just say the ticking is "normal". I think he'll just tighten it again or super-lubricate it and say the other noise is normal (then why didn't he say that after the first ride!!). I'm also going to be wanting my money back from the first time...

**MSTRS:Me** · 5th October 2010, 17:27

Clicking is NOT normal. It is what chains tend to do when they are past it. No amount of lube will change that.

**yachtie10** · 5th October 2010, 17:35

Originally Posted by StephenG

Ok I took it for a 10 minute ride to make sure it was nice and warm so that the clicking wasn't some sort of oil thing.... still does it.

How do I convince the mechanic of this? He might just say the ticking is "normal". I think he'll just tighten it again or super-lubricate it and say the other noise is normal (then why didn't he say that after the first ride!!). I'm also going to be wanting my money back from the first time...

While I think you can ask for your money back on the service charge I dont think a chain and sprockets would be covered under warranty unless they were shown to be defective
By the way charging for half an hour at those rates to loosen a chain and I wouldnt be going back there if I had an option
Just my opinion

**StephenG** · 5th October 2010, 17:43

Originally Posted by yachtie10

While I think you can ask for your money back on the service charge I dont think a chain and sprockets would be covered under warranty unless they were shown to be defective
By the way charging for half an hour at those rates to loosen a chain and I wouldnt be going back there if I had an option
Just my opinion

If I take it to another dealer I'll just be back to square one and no better off. Shouldn't I be covered under the Consumer Guarantees Act for the chain? Something about lasting a reasonable period of time? I would say 5000k for a chain is a bit low? Even the mechanic said the chain should last about 15,000 - 20,000 km.

Also I can't hear the clicking while riding... I think the engine is too noisy for that.

**p.dath** · 5th October 2010, 19:03

Originally Posted by StephenG

If I take it to another dealer I'll just be back to square one and no better off. Shouldn't I be covered under the Consumer Guarantees Act for the chain? Something about lasting a reasonable period of time? I would say 5000k for a chain is a bit low? Even the mechanic said the chain should last about 15,000 - 20,000 km.

Also I can't hear the clicking while riding... I think the engine is too noisy for that.

Was the dealer a member of the MTA or some other reputable association? If so, you could seek their input.

**gatch** · 5th October 2010, 20:23

What does the wear on the sprocket teeth look like ?

Teeth should have a uniform and symmetrical curve.

If you can discern anything easily with your eyes, the sprockets are poked and will rape your shiny new chain when you buy it..

Replace your chain and sprockets mate.

**StephenG** · 6th October 2010, 09:21

Originally Posted by gatch

What does the wear on the sprocket teeth look like ?

Teeth should have a uniform and symmetrical curve.

If you can discern anything easily with your eyes, the sprockets are poked and will rape your shiny new chain when you buy it..

Replace your chain and sprockets mate.

The teeth are really good, only a tiny bit of wear on the side of each sprocket is visible. Like I said, the bike has only done 5,000km and hasn't been abused.

Anyway, went back to the dealer and he said the ticking was normal (and got two other dirt bikes to make a clicking noise - neither of which was quite like or as loud as mine..). He thinks my bike is fine. He didn't seem too happy that I had come back again. I told him I was unhappy about having to pay for work yesterday that I didn't ask him to do, which he knew wasn't covered by the warranty. He was unhappy about it because obviously he worked on the bike which costs him time. Some

ensued and I accepted that he had to do some work first to establish whether it was a valid warranty claim but he should've left it there (I made it clear (or at least I thought I did) when I first came in that it was about the warranty and he wrote it on the service requested form). I can see his point of view and I think he could see mine. In the end he decided to refund me half of what I paid which I think was about fair.

It's a bit of a shame really because I think they would've been a good dealer/mechanic (he seemed genuine) but they didn't quite do what I asked for and tried to charge me through the teeth for it. Oh well, I don't think the mechanic ever wants to see me again (alive at least)...

**MSTRS:Me** · 6th October 2010, 09:23

Originally Posted by MSTRS

Clicking is NOT normal. It is what chains tend to do when they are past it. No amount of lube will change that.

The reason for the clicking is usually a semi-seized link pin. Slowly rotate your rear wheel and closely examine the way the links lay in the free chain between the sprockets. I will almost guarantee that you will see a pair of linkplates raised into a peak above/below the rest of the chain.

**Kwaka14** · 6th October 2010, 09:38

Originally Posted by MSTRS

The reason for the clicking is usually a semi-seized link pin. Slowly rotate your rear wheel and closely examine the way the links lay in the free chain between the sprockets. I will almost guarantee that you will see a pair of linkplates raised into a peak above/below the rest of the chain.

I fully agree with this if it only happens once in a rotation of the chain (actually twice, once as the link hits the rear sprocket and once as it hits the front). If its on every link then I would check that the chain pitch matches the sprocket - I'd also check chain alignment (sight along the chain to see if there is a curve in the top of it side to side, if thats the case then align it). You could also check that the front sprocket is still in place correctly (ie. the locking collar hasn't come adrift) and its not touching anything). I imagine though a mechanic would have (should have) verified this anyway.

**MSTRS:Me** · 6th October 2010, 09:47

Originally Posted by StephenG

The teeth are really good, only a tiny bit of wear on the side of each sprocket is visible....

Wear on the side/s of sprockets can be a sign that they are out of line. The chain should be sitting with them both in the middle of it's width.
Out of line could be caused by a (missing) spacer or badly aligned rear axle.

**Conquiztador** · 13th October 2010, 00:22

Ticking from chain at front: Worn chain, wrong width chain, missing spacer behind front sprocket (sprocket too close to casing)

Tight/loose spot in chain when going round: Wheel bearing, shaft bearing (lets hope not!!!), sprocket not symmetrical, loose sprocket mounting bolts, worn chain.

My recommendation: Forget about warranty. Buy a quality chain, learn how to fit it your self (not that hard!), check that what I mentioned above is OK, adjust to spec. Ride approx 500km's and re adjust. Grease on regular basis and you be away.

Good Luck.

P.S. I still think my shaft beats a chain anyday!

**Jantar** · 13th October 2010, 02:45

Chain and sprockets need replacing, and I would be very suprised if these are covered by warranty. The fact that the bike has only travelled 5000 km does not matter, a chain can be ruined in less than 1 km if it is over tight, or picks up something between the chain and sprocket, or is misaligned. Once the chain is damaged, the sprockets will last another few minutes before they are also due for replacement.

I have had chains last less than 3000 km, and as much as 56000 km. My average chain life is 24000 km and I use a Scottoiler.