Off to the Catlins

[Kiwifruit]

Betsie Jane Eatery and Bar. We're staying at the Top 10, reasonably priced nice studio unit.
Quite a number of bikes heading south,  good to see. Loads of waterfalls.  It sure tips it down on the West Coast.
Despite the thorough washing the bike appears no cleaner 

[KiwiCol]

Ya think you'll get to Westport today mate?  Thinking of the possibility of meeting up somewhere, say Punakaiki or Fox River sorta thing & ride back together.

[Kiwifruit]

Great to catch up with KiwiCol at Punakaiki for a coffee this morning. Sorry we couldn't take you up on your very generous offer of a bed for the night on this trip. Would have liked to see the Rocket.
Tonight we are in Nelson. Had been my intention to get all the way to Picton but I noticed a noise I wasn't happy with so stopped to investigate. The conclusion I came to is the chain is toast. It's always been good but I found a tight spot in it today. I've drenched it in oil again and it seems better. I do oil it each day but at 60k I'm picking it needs replacing along with the sprockets.
5030kms 2 up and loaded in the last 3 weeks will have put some strain on an old chain.

[KiwiCol]

So is it a new chain & sprockets in Nelson or just plenty of oil till ya get back home?

Oh, that appointment I went to, yeah they gonna remove it probably in the next month. 

[Kiwifruit]

Just going to keep it oiled till I get home.
Check it again in the morning, might give it some more slack if the tight spots still there.

[GSXKING]

Nothing worse than hearing a strange noise when you've been riding nearly every day it plays on your mind. Good you've diagnosed it, although I'd personally seek a second opinion from a qualified source, sometimes a different set of eyes will see something you may not.
Big ks Col, you and the cheese must be really enjoying yourselves.   

Keep the pics coming mate 👍

[Kiwifruit]

Looking at the chain last evening I noticed  one of the rollers was sitting up on the rear sprocket with no pressure on it, I spun it with my finger. That tells me there's no lube left inside that link, all it's friends have done 60k too.
Sounds like it's chain rotation speed more so than wheel speed. Wheel bearings seem OK as it's not a constant, same with sprocket carrier bearing. All the original bearings I have replaced. Countershaft seal looks dry. That's why I am considering giving it some more slack, I dont  want pressure put on that shift.
So that's my argument, I've sold myself the theory that 'the chain is shagged'.......it's probably out of warranty.

Today I'm looking forward to taking management around the beautiful Queen Charlotte Drive to Picton.
We are booked on the Interisland ferry back to the North Island at 11.00 tomorrow.

[Hooli]

60 of your Ks are about 40 of ours, so yeah I'd suspect the chain was dead too at that age.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Be wary that too much slack and it may jump a tooth.  If it was me, I'd keep the same tension, pins etc are hardened and if your are still adding some lube now and then that's better than  nothing.  New RK Takasago chain and sprockets - part of holiday expenses.

Safe travels to both of you.

[Kiwifruit]

Having lunch at Havelock.

Can of WD40 for the chain....all good 

[Kiwifruit]

Bit of a treat for Louise on our last night in the South Island.
Three weeks on the back of a bike is a great effort.

From our room in Picton

[Kiwifruit]

[KiwiCol]

Is that the Picton Yacht Club Hotel Col? We've stayed there a couple of times n the view is very similar.

[GSXKING]

She sure does, but that would have also been all the time you've spent together on this fabulous trip.
Very intimate sitting that close to each other for long periods of time.
I know Bobbie spends most of the time sightseeing more than me as I'm concentrating on riding. She often falls asleep for brief moments also. 😴😴

Your pics have been awesome too. 📸📸📸

[Hooli]

That actually reminds me of the real Plockton in the Highlands, I can see why they reused the name.