[Kaylor]

Hey guys,

I just found this forum, looked around a bit, and am now making this post. So please dont flame me if I've done something wrong...

Anywho, I'm a fairly new rider, started earlier this year. I started on an 06' 650R, which I still have. It has 16k-ish miles on it.

Today was the first day I have ridden in the rain. I smelled some burning of some sort which worried me, but after doing some research and talking to a knowledgeable friend, I learned that the smell is probably just water and things that have been kicked up onto my header and are now burning off. Which is normal when wet...

HOWEVER: It seemed to get worse on my way home from work. And after getting off the freeway, I noticed a sort of clunking sound happening when starting from a stop, and at low RPM in my first few gears. It may have continued in higher gears as well, but it's hard to hear over the noise of the engine.

The bike idles fine, no weird noises. But as soon as you put it and gear and begin to roll, you hear a few clunks. They seem to dissipate as the RPMs get higher (again, could just be the fact that I can no longer hear the clunking over my engine noise), but upon shifting and dropping RPM, I can hear them again.

Also, when idling (everything as normal) shifting down into first seems to make a lot louder sound now, and I think I hear some rattling. After the shift, clutch still in, the idling still sounds normal.

I'm afraid that something has broken in my gearbox or something. A dog pin or tooth off of a gear. I really dont hardly know anything about motorcycles yet and I'm really worried about it. I don't want something to completely break as I'm riding, and cause me to crash.

Please ask me for more details or specific info if needed. It's dark and wet outside, so I can't really do much with it tonight. Tomorrow morning, I will take a better look at it and try to see if it's still acting up, or if I'm just being paranoid.

Thank in advance!!

~Kaylor

 

[Kaylor]

Okay, after thinking about it some more, I decided to go outside with a flashlight and take a closer look. I rode it around a couple circles and listened for the nose close when I shifted. I THINKKKK I know what's wrong with it....

I'm pretty sure my chain is way too loose, and its hitting the frame. When I put it in gear, it bounces a lot, and it has a ton of play. So tomorrow im going to clean it and tighten it up! I'll reply again if it doesnt fix my problem.


P.S. Is there any way for me to delete this original posting?

Thanks!

~Kaylor

 

[MarktheShark]

Hey, no worries and welcome to the forum.

 

[Bradmeister]

Okay, after thinking about it some more, I decided to go outside with a flashlight and take a closer look. I rode it around a couple circles and listened for the nose close when I shifted. I THINKKKK I know what's wrong with it....

I'm pretty sure my chain is way too loose, and its hitting the frame. When I put it in gear, it bounces a lot, and it has a ton of play. So tomorrow im going to clean it and tighten it up! I'll reply again if it doesnt fix my problem.


P.S. Is there any way for me to delete this original posting?

Thanks!

~Kaylor

Kaylor,

Welcome to the Forum.........No such thing as a dumb question! You're dumb if you don't ask questions! Woot Woot!!!

There's plenty of Chain and Sprocket Threads on the Forum, Enjoy!

Cheers

 

[twowheeladdict]

Welcome to the forum. It is a good idea to get to know your Owner's and Service manual. There is a lot of great information that will help you maintain your bike, and save you $$.

If you don't have the manuals you can download them.

 

[Easy Rider]

I'm pretty sure my chain is way too loose, and its hitting the frame.

If it really is THAT loose and the rear axle is still tight like it should be, the odds are REALLY good that you need a new chain and sprockets REAL
soon.....due to lack of proper attention to routine maintenance and lubrication of the chain.

It is even possible (likely?) that the chain is so worn that it might be dangerous to ride.

This situation makes it appear that you weren't looking at the chain nearly enough; how often do you check the condition of your tires and the pressure ??

 

[simsim]

I'm pretty sure my chain is way too loose, and its hitting the frame

Hopefully it's not loose enought to hit the frame ... on mine, when the chain had excessive slack, it would hit the muffler

Yes, as others have posted: please familiarize yourself with the manual; you WANT to know the basic maintenance requirements (for your own good)

 

[Kaylor]

Thanks guys, I got it figured out, tightened my chain a bit (it wasnt tooooo terribly loose, but enough to start warning me) cleaned it really well, as well as lubed it. I do plan on buying a new chain and sprockets anyway though, who knows how old the ones I have are...

If it really is THAT loose and the rear axle is still tight like it should be, the odds are REALLY good that you need a new chain and sprockets REAL
soon.....due to lack of proper attention to routine maintenance and lubrication of the chain.

It is even possible (likely?) that the chain is so worn that it might be dangerous to ride.

This situation makes it appear that you weren't looking at the chain nearly enough; how often do you check the condition of your tires and the pressure ??

Thank you, my tire pressure was low as well... (22psi in both tires), got them filled up based on the spec on by sway bar (32/36), and I will make it more routine to check them! Tires are brand new though, as of 3 months ago, which is good.

Hopefully it's not loose enought to hit the frame ... on mine, when the chain had excessive slack, it would hit the muffler

Yes, as others have posted: please familiarize yourself with the manual; you WANT to know the basic maintenance requirements (for your own good)

You're right, it was hitting the muffler, not the frame. Thank You

 

[djrussell]

I do plan on buying a new chain and sprockets anyway though, who knows how old the ones I have are...

Chains and sprockets need to be replaced based on condition, not age. Look through the owner's manual for info on this. It will have you inspect the sprocket teeth and chain length over a certain number of links. I can't remember if it mentions "tight links" also but that's something you should watch for. It's where a certain link will not want to straighten out after going over a sprocket.

 

[Easy Rider]

Chains and sprockets need to be replaced based on condition, not age.

True except it's hard to know the condition of the O rings or the pins that they seal.

I always started planning for a new set whenever the chain started getting loose; adjust twice and then replace, after the initial break-in, that is.

 

[djrussell]

Wouldn't a failed o-ring result in a tight or stuck link in short order?

 

[Easy Rider]

Wouldn't a failed o-ring result in a tight or stuck link in short order?

Maybe. Probably.
Especially if you are in the habit of thoroughly "cleaning" it.