scoob Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 HeyDid a little ride out today to York and back from Huddersfield. On the way back when ever I used the throttle there was a bit of a clunk then a clicking noise for want of a better word. Without using the throttle it didnt seem to be there.Guessing it maybe the chain but as I'm a complete novice (passed Mod 2 on Friday just gone) I have no idea.Really dont know what to do, guess its best to take my bike down to the local garage and see what they say?Unless someone (that knows their stuff) and lives local to HD2 wants to earn themselves a beer and come take her round the block and give me some advice? Don't know if it would make a difference but whilst in York I took my son out pillion for a little while?/scoob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin the Bear Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Not being able to fix things is one thing. Not being able to do standard checks is quite another.Checking chain tension is very simple. There are guides on here. An owners manual will show you how.I'm presuming you haven't done your pre ride checks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megawatt Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Check yer chain tension, it might get tighter with a pillion. Also check sprockets for hooking. Chain is better slack than tight, but not too slack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoob Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 Hey guysthanks for the advice.Just a quick response to Colin:I did the pre ride checks, as I believed they should be done, followed what I've been taught and also looked in the Haynes manual. Maybe I checked wrong, I dunno. Although being a novice and absolutely crap when it comes to anything like this I would never risk harm to others or myself or my new pride and joy.The reason I joined this forum was to pick up hints/tips from experienced riders(like this) and meet some friendly people with the same interest as me....and the forums are excelling at this Thanks again for the advice, I'll check later but will most likely run it to the local garage anyway as I darent risk going out of my comfort zone and risking harm by attempting to fix myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Thats how most of us started doing our own maintenance ScoobyBegin with the litle things then move on as the confidence grows, You're on the right track getting yourself a haynes manual and trawling through forums for advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin the Bear Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 If you've done your pre ride checks, which includes checking the chain tension then the problem won't be chain tension or lubrication or condition. Make sure to rotate the wheel and check at different points along the chain. They stretch and develop tight and slack spots.Do you have a local bike meet? A local bike club? Get down there and pick their brains.Diagnosing a fault on a forum can be a bit hit and miss and clicking under acceleration is a bit vague.Taking your bike to a garage to check the chain shouts newbie and is asking them to rob you unless you know and trust them or they are recommended or you have warranty.Riders need to know how a bike works and understand how to check it over. It's not a car. Even low tyre pressure can spit you off. Bikes need a lot more attention to detail and adjustments making between services. Getting these minor adjustments done at a garage will increase monetary expenditure considerably.Its not complicated, just a lot of simple things bolted together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 It could be as simple as chain tension....too loose and the chain will be flapping around. Does your bike have a centre stand or do you have a paddock stand? Basically you want to check the amount of up/down movement of the chain at the mid point between the bottom of the front sprocket and bottom of the rear sprocket. On a lot of bikes you are looking at a movement of the chain of approx 1.5 - 2.0" around 35 - 50mm. And as Colin says you need to check for various parts of the chain......so check the mid point on one part of the chain, then rotate the back wheel a bit and check it again until you've checked the whole chain. If it needs adjusting just follow the description in the Haynes manual. Also check the chain for tight links....make sure you can flex the chain between all the links....a tight link will give you the clicking noise. If you have a tight link you may be able to free it by spraying the chain with chain cleaner and then relubing it.Hope this helps..... BTW...this is just a rough guide....before anyone picks me up on the specific free play for the T-Cat.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoob Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 Just a quick update:I took my bike to the local garage (its also where i did my DAS) and asked them to show/help me move the wheel back to tighten the chain, they gladly said yes.Whilst doing it, there were a few tight spots...too many. So after they looked at it, they said really that they would need to adjust the slack to the tight spot(s) and that it wouldn't really be safe to ride.Have sorted a new chain and sprocket, got myself a padock stand and will make sure the chain is looked after properly.Thanks for all the help again, I guess I could of cleaned the chain but in all honesty, with so many different tight spots I thought it safer and more prudent to spend some dollar and make sure I'm safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megawatt Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 I bet they were glad to help! How much did they charge you??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoob Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 They were goin to show me how to move the wheel for nowt, sprocket and chain, £200. Chose not to get a cheap chain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megawatt Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 Buy yerself a Haynes workshop manual and learn how to do the simple jobs yerself. Will save a lot of money and worry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 You may want to invest in a Scottoiler too.....just to save a bit on the maintenance front.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin the Bear Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 I bet they were glad to help! How much did they charge you??? http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z28/Colin_the_bear/Flag-1.gifPop to garage with a simple problem. Oh dear it's completely unsafe to ride, replace eveything, and by the way the air is getting old in the tyres.Has the clicking stopped?It's going to cost you a fortune having the routine everyday adjustments done at the shop. The routine stuff is really simple, and you have the book. If you have specific questions to ask there's a wealth of practical advice and guidance on here.Don't wait till the next problem.Read the book, look at the bike. Then with the book have a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoob Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 aye the clickings all sorted Col, I will eventually work up the courage to start doing it myself.Regarding lubing the chain, Ive read every 500 odd miles (depending wether you've been riding in the rain), sound about right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rennie Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 I'd do it more often than that!or get a scottoiler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techno Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 aye the clickings all sorted Col, I will eventually work up the courage to start doing it myself.Regarding lubing the chain, Ive read every 500 odd miles (depending wether you've been riding in the rain), sound about right? Just give it a quick spray before a run out.I had to buy some when i went to scotland its not the first thing yu think to pack but doing 1600 miles figured i ought to lube the chain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megawatt Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 I use MucOff PTFE dry spray every 200miles. My last DID X ring chain did over 30,000 miles !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin the Bear Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 If you let the chain run dry, apart from the non stick pan stuff, it's too late and the damage has been done. Mileage is a car thing. Bikes should be checked before you ride every time. With more experience you can tell by just looking.Little and often is best. Too much and it will fly off contaminating brakes and tyres.All the fussing with chain drive led me to the shaft. All hail the shaft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 All hail the shaft. Is that line from a Carry On film Colin?....... Bit like the "Infamy, Infamy....they've all got it infamy"..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin the Bear Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 Carry on Biking , ride the shaft.Seriously tho I wouldn't go back to chain drive. Too much faffing about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fast Eddie Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 Just give it a quick spray before a run out.Do it after when it'll have a chance to soak in and not just fly off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin the Bear Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Soak in? You have a textile chain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoob Posted May 8, 2012 Author Share Posted May 8, 2012 Sorry for bumping an old thread but one last question regarding this:I took the bike for a quick bez about and there seems to be a "whining noise" coming from the front end of the bike, the noise doesnt happen when I engage the clutch (it gets higher pitched along with the revs without the clutch engaged)I've been told by someone (who says is a biker but has a tendancy to stretch the truth) that this is quite normal as the chain and sprockets are new and it'll settle down.I may seem a bit paranoid, I just dont want my bike blowing up on me I think due to the age of my bike its probably best to get a once over by a garage, day to day stuff I will learn as I go but I guess always best to be safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin the Bear Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 It's very unlikely to be anything to do with chain and sprockets as the noise is linked with engine revs not wheel speed.Check your oil.If you take it to the garage to have the oil checked, they may sell you a new house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 This whining noise.....while on the move or whilst stationary? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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