FXR 150 troubles

[Robbie_]

Hi,

Okay so here's the story. First to get an idea of my mechanical skills at 35km I changed the Oil,filter, spark plug, air filter etc.. The bike is now at 36,600km.

Now, On Wednesday I went to Wellington-Wanganui and back. On the last 50km ish home I rode a bit spiritedly. Before I left I adjusted the chain slack to the correct amount. She rode 100% during all of this. Anyway tonight when I hopped on for the first time since, I noticed the chain was about as loose as it could go. The nut was still tight, and the adjuster bolt thingy was still as the same mark where I left it last. Anyway I adjusted to the correct slack and tightened it back up.

About 15m up the rode I hear a grinding sort of noise and feel a slight bump near the sprocket. The chain had loosened itself to about roughly 5 ich's of slack after I pulled over. about 4km down it done the same noise but the chain hadn't loosened any more (by feel) So I pulled over at a mates house. About an hour later I decided to take it home and as I turn it on, it sound likes theres a tiny pebbly flying around in a can at highs speed. It does this as I restart the bike, but on the third restart it disappears.

I rode home very nanishly, but it ran 100%. What would you guys say the problem is? I know my sprockets are on their last days, I'm a poor student so I'd rather do the work myself, is it straightforward to replace the chain and sprockets myself? Also where would be a good place to order these from? I need the bike to get around the next few days and I won't get to work on it till' Sunday. Is it too risky or not? Cheers.

[Katman]

Your chain is clearly rooted.

If it breaks it is potentially dangerous.

Do them sooner rather than later.

[FJRider]

Your chain is clearly rooted.

If it breaks it is potentially dangerous.

Do them sooner rather than later.

I have to agree ... the "potential danger" of a loose chain climbing over the sprocket and locking up the back wheel (at speed in traffic) ... seen it (had it) happen ... NOT pretty ...

or snapping and wrapping itself around the front sprocket and stalling the engine ...

or you could get lucky ... and it just fires the snapped chain out the back of the bike ... leaving you in a VERY false neutral ...

but hey ... in each of these sceneario's ... what the worst that could happen aye ...

[Parlane]

I have to agree ... the "potential danger" of a loose chain climbing over the sprocket and locking up the back wheel (at speed in traffic) ... seen it (had it) happen ... NOT pretty ...

or snapping and wrapping itself around the front sprocket and stalling the engine ...

or you could get lucky ... and it just fires the snapped chain out the back of the bike ... leaving you in a VERY false neutral ...

but hey ... in each of these sceneario's ... what the worst that could happen aye ...

Not to mention the possibility that there is a vehicle or person behind you when it comes off :|

[Robbie_]

Okay cheers. I'd really rather replace it myself. Is it a hard job or anything specific I should know? Also where do you guys recon would be the best place to buy a chain and sprockets? Cheers.

[Yow Ling]

Just go to a bikeshop and order a new chain 428 and-some sprockets . nothing flash. Get a can of chainlube. 30 min to fit

[imdying]

Yup, also been there as a poor student. It is most definitely an experience you can do without (having it break).

[ClutchITUP]

depends on how broke you are an how much u like bikes, I brought a DRC chain joining tool from bike shop for like 100$ an fitted my own chain but I completely rooted the tool doing it, I eventually got it to work tho not the way the tool was intended to be used and its now in like 6 bits, find out what size an kind of chain an sprockets u need angle grind the old one off an figure out how to join it find a mate with a chain tool is the best bet,

If you took ur bike with new sprockets an new chain hanging unjoined into a suzuki dealership ..... Im sure they would relpace the chain guide because it will be worn
($59 plus gst) an hour labour ($80 plus gst) lube an wear an tear on their chain tool (29 plus GST)(which will be a hammer)
should cost you no more than 197.50$

[Henk]

Damn near every 428 chain I have ever seen comes with a clip link so the riveting tool and grinder shouldn't be required.
If you were up here i'd offer to do it for you, 30 minute job at the outside with the right tools and a modicum of mechanical ability.

[Robbie_]

Cheers guys for all your help. I ended up just taking it to the local Suzuki Dealership. (: Came to about $269 incl. Labour. For an O ring chain too. Anyway, once I'm back in NZ next year I will be sure to ask for some help to get her runny mint again