Noisy Chain/Chain Knocking about >>UPDATE<<

[dabigginger]

Over the past couple of days, the chain on my CB500 has been a bit noisy. I popped it on its centre stand this evening and ran it in first gear. It's really quite noisy, waving around quite a bit between the sprockets - it kind of appears that there seems to be some resistance somewhere when it's going around the sprockets. It almost seems like someone's jammed a stick between the sprocket teeth!

The chain is well lubed with chain wax and the tension is fine. Tightening it up seems to transfer the vibrations to the rest of the bike.

I haven't had much of a chance to give it a thorough checking over yet... I'm hoping to go over it with a fine toothcomb on Friday. I was just wondering what exactly to look for. I presume tight spots, check for anything stuck in the chain, sprocket condition. Is there anything else I should be looking for?

I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to bike mechanics...

I'm not going to ride it for the next few days... doesn't really seem very safe right now... going to have to use the cage over the next few days.

[ms51ves3]

Spin the back wheel and check that the links are meet the sprockets perfectly. You could have a stiff link so look for links that are not flush against the sprocket.

[dabigginger]

Thank you! Will do! Oh, I forgot to mention, that there is no problem with the chain when I turn the wheel by hand, it only appears to be when it's under load from the engine.

[cestrian]

The chain is probably a bit loose and there is likely to be an iffy link or more on the chain. Ideally you will need to replace the chain and maybe the sprockets too if they're worn.
If you have an iffy link, you can get a bit of extra mileage by loosening the link with the aid of penetrating fluid, but it's only a temporary fix and you should replace the chain.

Regards

[iooi]

Bearings in wheel/sprocket carrier.

Try some oil on the chain, sometimes it just needs some lube to get into the rollers to free stuff off, which that spray wax can't do.

If you apply the rear brake to put a bit of load on the rear wheel does it still throw the chain around ?
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[dabigginger]

[dabigginger]

Right... had a good look at it today... chain seems fine. In fact, it's still the original chain at nearly 19k! There's a few thousand miles left in it at least. Sprockets are fine. There doesn't seem to be any resistance in the back wheel now, so maybe I'm just imagining problems because I think there's something there... There was a load of gunk behind the front sprocket cover, but that's all cleaned out now.

With nothing seemingly obvious causing the problem, I pop the bike on the centre stand, and run it in 1st gear at idle, knocking around quite a bit making a noise a bit like when you labour the engine and the crank's making that horrible clunking noise. Change it up the gears all the way to 6th and it's shaking around so much, the handlebars are moving around quite a bit on their own! The higher up the rev range though, the less vibrations there are. Anything above 4k seems to be quite nice and smooth.

Slightly confused, I speak to a couple of mates who tell me not to worry, it's quite normal because there's no load on the back wheel. They tell me to try it on my Hornet. Give it a shot, and lo and behold, it does it a well. Not nearly as much as the CB, but it does do it! Maybe something to do with a 2 cylinder engine being a lot less smooth that a 4cyl. So, I'm a bit more relieved, anyway!

Thanks for the help anyway, chaps!

[iooi]

Glad you happy and sorted.

Also nice to see a update All to often there never is any feedback if the problems are sorted so have some
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[dabigginger]

Thank you!

[Toast]

Just a quick question from a newbie on this topic. What is the correct tension for the chain to be at? I have just replaced the chain and sprockets on my cb750 but want to make sure i've got the tension right before i take it for an MOT re-test.

Thanks
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[matthab]

the hand book should tell you the correct tension.
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[Toast]

I realise that the handbook would give me this information, if only I had the handbook!!! Can you possibly give any idea as to the tension on the chain, please.
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