[Pb29590]

I have a 2013 Ninja 1000 non-ABS. I am the second owner and purchased it with 1200 miles on it from the original owner. I currently have about 1600 miles. I noticed from the get-go a jingling or rattling noise coming from the rear when I am am riding. It sounds like it's coming from the rear sprocket area. The chain may have a bit too much slack, I don't know. The chain does not Appear to be locked up and the rear sprocket appears to not have any uneven wear. It is not speed related or throttle related. I turned off my bike while still moving and it still happens. It happens In all gears but is more noticeable at lower speeds. I just got it on a lift and cleaned and lubed the chain and it's still there. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[rcannon409]

The chain will hit the guide, up front. Its hard plastic.

Is your toolkit secure?

 

[Pb29590]

Tool kit- good call. I just pulled it out and will restest tomorrow. It does not 'sound' like a metal hitting hard plastic sound, but I will check that as well. Is that a matter of taking up slack from the chain?

 

[rcannon409]

Yes, and no. There are certain points adjustments that just have it tap the guard, and you cant do much about that. The chain can tbe too tight, obviously, and that eccentric adjustment sets the axle higher, or lower, but adjusts chain tension..screwed either way...

Also, I dont know what state your in, but my bike sounded odd, this morning. Very noisy, at low speed. Issue is tiny, pea gravel/sand stuff put on the roads for the ice we had. That gets washed off, for summer, btu its loud hitting the bottom of the fenders.

Smart to check. Our bikes are gettign a few year son them, and loose stuff could not start to be possible.

 

[Pb29590]

It almost sounds like a screw that's loose. Like a screw rattling against metal. I looked at the rear of the bike and couldn't find anything that fits the bill. It started before the urban brawlers and before the tail tidy. The intensity doesn't change. It just starts after I reach around 20 MPH or so, It doesn't happen all the time either. Will post results of road test tomorrow status/post toolkit removal.

 

[blob]

It might be the rattling of the rear seat plastic against the taillight. That makes a bunch of noise on my bike. Push down on the plastic atop the tail and you will see how much space there is there. This bike vibrates more then most bikes ( I think), and that space definitely makes noise around 20mph.

 

[Pb29590]

Update: I went for a ride today and the noise is still there. I did notice that it only happens when I'm giving it gas, and the clutch is engaged. If I pull in the clutch the noise stops. If I let off the gas, the noise stops.

 

[THEMANRACING]

Thats the chain Boss. IMHO.

Make sure it is not too tight, and make sure it is properly lubed.

You should lube a chain when it is warm/hot, not when cold.

 

[rowdyred94]

What's a "chain boss"? Or did you mean "chain, Boss"?

I can't imagine any o-ring chain rattling at 1600 miles unless they were at Dakar.

 

[Squidlius]

The stock chains are junk. They rattle unless you lube them every couple hundred miles. Mine started making noise after around the first thousand miles. I didn't think it was gonna last very long but even making noise the whole time it lasted 25,000 miles.

 

[jjsC6]

It sounds like the chain to me also. The first owner could have tightened it too much which can stretch a chain in one ride if too tight.

 

[Vic.Thing]

I'm with chain rattle side, probably just needs slack adjusted. Too loose and it starts to bounce around hitting stuff. Don't screw with the chain, check it once then check it again cause that's one part that can put a whole lot of hurt on ya.

 

[THEMANRACING]

Sorry, should have been "That is the chain making noise, Boss".

 

[mortbike]

If you can get it on a dyno(preferrable) or rear stand, you could use a mechanic's stethoscope(not expensive at auto parts store) to listen all around the bike and isolate the sound while running in gear with the clutch out to duplicate the sound. Mort

 

[rcannon409]

If you can get it on a dyno(preferrable) or rear stand, you could use a mechanic's stethoscope(not expensive at auto parts store) to listen all around the bike and isolate the sound while running in gear with the clutch out to duplicate the sound. Mort

I think this is my message, from above, to buy a stethoscope. My trainer told me this FIVE times, yesterday. Now this..ok, ok..I'll get one!

I always had good luck using a thin blade screwdriver. Ste the blade on a surface and you sort of hear/feel the sound through the handle. Like when we were kids and used the string between two cans.

 

[Pb29590]

If you can get it on a dyno(preferrable) or rear stand, you could use a mechanic's stethoscope(not expensive at auto parts store) to listen all around the bike and isolate the sound while running in gear with the clutch out to duplicate the sound. Mort

Thanks to all. I will bust out my stethoscope tomorrow and report back. I think it must be the chain, so I will start there.

 

[THEMANRACING]

I strongly advise against putting the stethoscope on the moving chain!!! LOL Best of luck Boss.

I would like to suggest another way as well. If it is the chain, which I think is the most likely, a better way to find it would be to go ride the bike for 15 minutes or so to get the chain warmed up (Listening to the noise as you ride) then come back and immediately change the chain tension a good bit (looser or tighter it does not matter) and then go ride again and see if the noise changes in any way.

I suspect that it will. The noise will change, but it will not go away. If that happens then you know it is the chain.

I would for sure make sure the chain is properly adjusted. keep in mind you always have to adjust using the tightest spot in the chain, and there is always a tight spot.

 

[Pb29590]

I strongly advise against putting the stethoscope on the moving chain!!! LOL Best of luck Boss.

I would like to suggest another way as well. If it is the chain, which I think is the most likely, a better way to find it would be to go ride the bike for 15 minutes or so to get the chain warmed up (Listening to the noise as you ride) then come back and immediately change the chain tension a good bit (looser or tighter it does not matter) and then go ride again and see if the noise changes in any way.

I suspect that it will. The noise will change, but it will not go away. If that happens then you know it is the chain.

I would for sure make sure the chain is properly adjusted. keep in mind you always have to adjust using the tightest spot in the chain, and there is always a tight spot.

Appreciated again. I had zero intentions of putting my stethoscope on the chain, I would end up with perforated ear drums. But I do thank you for your concern. I will take the bike out today and report back.

 

[rcannon409]

I bet we don't need to go over the other places you should not put the stethoscope, right? What I am thinking of might be painful depending on diameter, or semi-erotic.

I have used the up against valve covers. Hoping to hear an out of adjustment valve, but no luck. On this bike, I would like to try it on the clutch cover

 

[THEMANRACING]

Appreciated again. I had zero intentions of putting my stethoscope on the chain, I would end up with perforated ear drums. But I do thank you for your concern. I will take the bike out today and report back.

I hope you understand I was trying to be funny Boss. I don't think you are daft enough to try to hear a moving chain I was trying to be a smart Butt.

Sorry. I guess it was not funny. I tried.