Noisy chain

**Eric** · 1st October 2008, 22:07

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** · 2nd October 2008, 07:08

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** · 2nd October 2008, 07:14

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** · 2nd October 2008, 07:24

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

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** · 2nd October 2008, 08:00

Originally Posted by Eric

Thanks guys.

....

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

Don't expect changed from a couple of hundred

or a bit more... but I suppose compared to the cost of registration these days not too bad

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

**MSTRS:Me** · 2nd October 2008, 09:05

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** · 25th October 2008, 15:08

Originally Posted by 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.

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:Me** · 25th October 2008, 15:14

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

**cs363** · 25th October 2008, 15:20

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** · 25th October 2008, 15:42

Originally Posted by 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.

Why remove the scottoiler? They are fantastic.

**cs363** · 25th October 2008, 16:02

Originally Posted by Anthrax

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?

**FJRider** · 25th October 2008, 16:15

Originally Posted by cs363

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?

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** · 25th October 2008, 16:17

Originally Posted by FJRider

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...