Occasional click, click , click

[Speedy1959]

Hi All,

I was out on Saturday with a pillion (rare for me) and so riding pretty sedately.
At low speeds (1st or 2nd gear), there was a click, click, click which was wheel speed related (Not engine speed)..
She (Pillion) said it sounded like it was from the rear left of the bike.
I checked all over for anything loose and then put the bike on the centre stand. When I rotated the wheel every so often there was a noticeable loud click, click, click from the chain..
I am thinking the noise was transmitted along the chain from the engine sprocket.
I removed the engine sprocket cover to check the nut on the sprocket hadn't come loose.. It hadn't !
The noise only seemed to appear at lower speeds (but maybe wind noise at higher speeds meant I couldn't hear it)..

The next day on a solo ride there didn't seem to be any noticeable clicks..
When I got home I checked the chain and it felt tight !!
I am strict about chain tension so I was very surprised about it feeling tight (maybe 10 -15mm slack at most). I also noticed the chain was hot to the touch!!
How hot do chains get?
I have never noticed (or felt) before, so for all I know this could be a normal thing for chains.
Whilst rotating the wheel there was the annoying click, click again BUT it wasn't a regular thing.. It did it every so often.

When I was younger the only time I recall such a noise was from a knackered chain / sprockets on a mates bike but he had hooked teeth and his chain used to jump round on the sprocket under acceleration (Those were the days.. when we were all skint).

Any ideas about my symptoms?

P.S I replaced the chain and sprockets not very long ago (certainly under 2,000 miles).

Thanks in advance.

S

[Del]

I had a very similar issue to this on a ZX9r - was the rear sprocket bearing starting to go (mine had started to break up)

[Speedy1959]

Blime Del..
Don't you sleep?

That would be bloody annoying because I replaced ALL bearings when I had the wheels powder coated around 4 months ago..
I used KOYO bearings and not cheap crap..
I suppose I should remove the rear wheel and check the smoothness of the sprocket carrier bearing.

Thanks for the rapid response mate,

S

[KiwiCol]

Wasn't an RK chain was it Speedy?  I replaced a chain with an RK, it crapped out in very short order, got tight spots & the wee black x rings broke & fell out. About 8 of them from memory. Ditched it & went for a heavy duty DID, no prob since.
I wouldn't have thought the chain would get 'hot' unless there's insufficient lube in it. There's probably a couple of tight spots in your chain which will be why the slack has 'shrunk'

[Speedy1959]

Hi Col
Its funny you mention the chain..
I supposedly bought a ZVM-X DID endless chain off a company trading on Amazon..

I have never been convinced its an actual DID.

From day 1 I have pretty much adjusted it every week !!
For the first 3 weeks or so there was black greasy / rubbery crap all over my rear wheel rim..
I thought I had bought one of the best chains available but now I am not so sure...

[KiwiCol]

That black greasy rubber stuff is probably the 'x' rings.  Take a strong torch (or bright sunlight - which is in very short supply down thus way atm) and see if they're still there.  It does actually stand out if they've broken and come away.

Put it on the main stand & slowly rotate the wheel while checking each link for the wee rubbers.

[Kiwifruit]

My chain does a couple of clicks as it goes round. It has got tight spots in it too, which l have made allowance for with the adjustment.
Recently l bought an RK chain and sprocket kit. When l opened it it was supposed to be a gold but was black.
Anyway took it back. Now waiting for JT sprockets and DID chain to turn up.........so l can get rid of my clicks. 

[Tony Nitrous]

Hard to judge a sound from the written word, but....

Chain and bearing in the Cush drive / sprocket carrier would by my first suspects.

[Tony Nitrous]

That black greasy rubber stuff is probably the 'x' rings.  Take a strong torch (or bright sunlight - which is in very short supply down thus way atm) and see if they're still there.  It does actually stand out if they've broken and come away.

Put it on the main stand & slowly rotate the wheel while checking each link for the wee rubbers.

There's a local guy who both Vlad and I know who actually removes all the O-rings from his chain! I thought it was quite strange but he's very fussy about his maintainence and he showed me how much longer his wheel spins compared to stock. I guess he's saved a fraction of a horsepower, not something I'd ever do but he seems happy and it certainly works for him.

[grog]

Speedy, id be thinking chain. take cover off primary sprocket, spin and watch really carefully. mine was sort of jumping. also an RK chain by coincidence. i was really annoyed, not old and lubed religiously. i thought my gearbox was stuffed, very loud. mrs even commented. when off, i cut it up, 2 seized links, inside was rusted. i blamed the wurth chain lube but now not so sure. both my sprockets looked good, half way thru their life. i decided to let sprockets finish their life, bought cheap, $100, EK O ring. thinking that 5 to 10 th ks the lot will be stuffed. O rings not recomended, they said must be X ring. i still got O ring. now, 15ks later, not even one adjustment. sprockets look exact the same. using gear oil instead of spray lube. chain just sounds beautiful, much better than previous ever did. no idea if its better chain or better lube.i know which chain brand ill get next, wont be RK.   

[Speedy1959]

Thank you Grog..
My bike is booked in at the dealership on Wednesday for the anual MOT test.
I have asked them to replace the chain whilst they are at it.
They told me they only use DID.
They agreed it doesnt sound right to need adjusting every week !

I too use only gear oil for chain lube.
I brush it on after every ride.
My sprockets were new less than 2000 miles ago so I will leave those.

I have also ordered ANOTHER sprocket carrier bearing plus seal (Koyo).

I too was fearing a knackered gearbox.
Thanks again to all who replied and to you grog

S.

[Mick_J]

Good call on the chain, they should not get hot, a warm but definitely not hot and the fact you've had to adjust it every week confirms it.

[Blubber]

Smart move on replacing the new chain.

it is very weird you needed to adjust the slack so soon after replacing it.

Mine has been on the same setting for 15.000km. Just moved it one full turn (yes , i adjusted both sides)  because i had the wheel out to replace the tires.

[Speedy1959]

Thanks Blubber.
I checked.. The chain and sprockets are 1450 miles old !!

I always had a feeling about the chain..
Yes it came in an apparent DID box but then the Chinese are good at copying !

Wouldnt mind but it wasnt even cheap !!
£105 for the chain !

[Tony Nitrous]

http://www.didasia.co.th/en/didsticker/index.php