new gal on the block

[kani]

:banghead:
hi,
I'm not sure if if i'd be considered important in the scheme of things as i only ride a small cruiser... :roll:
The Suzuki VL 250 Intruder is my sweetheart of choice !!
I'm very much into learning how to do my own motorcycle maintenance.
My question is,
what could be the reason for my chain becoming loose and making one hell of a racket?????. I at first thought the sound was coming from the under the crank case cover, I have had the chained tightened which stopped my bike from baulking while on a ride, but the noise from the loose chain continued. Spirit sounds like an old clunker :roll: but
is only 2 years old, was bought new and still has original chain.
Do i need a new chain??????????? :?

[Dave Ritsema]

Hey, we like all bikes. Some just think bigger is better! :D
Regarding your chain, how is the alignment? When you site down the chain between the two sprockets does it appear true and straight or at an angle? The alignment of the chain in relation to the two sprockets is very important.

[sarge]

Welcome Kani and Remember it's not what you ride but it's that you ride.

Sorry, can't help you with your chain problem but maybe someone else can chime in 8)


http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/3069/102105.gif sarge

All Ride Safe

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[kani]

Hey, we like all bikes. Some just think bigger is better! :D
Regarding your chain, how is the alignment? When you site down the chain between the two sprockets does it appear true and straight or at an angle? The alignment of the chain in relation to the two sprockets is very important.
:biker: <<<<< goes better than spirit....he!he!
yes dave chain appears true and straight, i checked for kinks or worn links but none found :roll:
how do i put pic on profile, i didn't quite understand directions given....
And yes if i ever get my pic up....i'm blonde!!!!! :D
i'm waiting on my bigger :biker: i'm waiting for the new hyosung GT650 comet to come into australia, the shipment is due in soon...
will hang on to my cruiser though, "SHE IS THE DREAM" !!!!
kani

[Britman]

Kani,

If you have not kept the appropriate tension on the chain along with alingment and lubing the chain is now useless. Get a new chain and have the teeth on the spockets checked. If the chain has been slack then the teeth on the sprockets, especially the rear will have been "rounded" off. Simply fitting a new chain without a new - at least - rear sprocket will shorten the life of the new chain.

Buy some chain lube and spray onto the inside of the chain. Don't overspray cause then the back end of your bike will get crud all over it. Dont't get lube on the tire!

Find out how to adjust the chain yourself and make sure you do.

Most of us here ride bikes with shaft drive because chain driven bikes are a pain in the butt. Tension, align, lubricate. Over and over and over.

[Valker]

I use several of these motorcycles in my training program. First question: Did whoever tighten the chain make it too tight? Check to see that it has about 20-30mm of up and down slack with you sitting on the bike. Too tight is worse than too loose.
2) Has the chain been oiled well? Dry chains make a lot of noise. If it has been run dry a lot, you might have to replace it.
3) How many miles/Km does it have? Time doesn't matter a lot, but miles do.
4) Have you checked the chain guard (plastic that keeps prying fingers off the top of the chain)? Just be sure the bolts that hold that have not fallen out and are letting the guard rub on the chain.
I hope this helps. Those are really nice bikes.

[TNT]

Ditto what everyone else said. On my ZRX the front sprocket is the one that gets the most wear. Riding with the chain too tight or too loose will cause wear on both the chain & sprocket.

[solo1]

Kani. Welcome to the BBR.

It sounds like the chain and/sprockets might be very worn. As Dave Ritsema says, check the alignment. I always used a thin diameter elastic cord stretched from the side of the front tire to the back tire. If the tires/wheels are in alignment the cord will align perfectly with both tires.
If not, that can cause severe wear to the chain and sprockets, especially the back one ( the one that you can see)

Next look at the back sprocket, the part that you can see where it's not covered by the chain. The shape of the teeth must be symetrical, that is one side not "hollowed out" compared to the other. If it is not symetrical, it probably would call for a new chain, and at the least, the rear sprocket.
To check for linkage wear on the chain, try to pull the chain away from where it wraps around the rear sprocket. If it can be pulled away form the sprocket any appreciable amount, it's worn out.

Hope this helps.

[hotdog]

What's a chain?

actually the bike i'm riding in my current avatar is the first bike I've owned that had a chain. I have to remind myself about routine chain maintenance.

Welcome aboard!

-hotdog

[DonB]

G'day and welcome! At least you ride! THAT is the important thing. :)

I have to second most of what has been said on chains. If your chain has worn out, make VERY sure the sprockets are good. If not, you'll tear up a new chain in record time. :(

Ride safe!

[R J]

If the sprockets are good, you may be able to salvage the chain.

It sounds like you have not kept the chain oiled as required. It needs to be oiled at least after every other ride. A dry chain will crack and pop.

When I used to ride chain bikes this was how I prepared an new chain for installation.

1. Take the new chain and lay it in a pan of STP. Coil it around no none of the chain is touching another part.

2. Put it on the stove and put some fire to the pan, wife used to just raise h*ll till I had my own pan for this purpose only.

3. Get the oil warm, not boiling, hot enough it is too hot to touch.

4. Let the STP soak in real good. This is not recommended with the chains that have the rubber 'O' rings.

5. Turn off fire, and let the chain soak for 30 minutes.

6. Remove chain from pan, hang in the garage so it can drip out any excess. Yes, put a pan under it to collect the excess oil.

7. Install chain and go for a 5 mile ride. Yes, bike is going to get some oil splatter, so wipe it off when you get home.

8. NOW, spray regular chain lube on the entire chain and let set.

9. Ride the bike now as normal, BUT, respray the chain after every 2nd fairly long ride. IF, you happen to run on dirt roads, the chain needs to be removed, cleaned and re-oiled as in steps 1 thru 7.

10. IF you run it in the rain, let the water dry and re-oil before riding again.

11. Check the adjustment of the chain regularly also. Oil and adjustment is critical to chain life...... and sprocket life I also might add. :lol:

Chains are a pain in the backside.... But when that was all we had, we got used to taking care of them.....

Last but not least, welcome aboard and enjoy the bike to it's fullest.