Rocks in my bike...

[tussey]

A new problem popped up on my bike. My rear brake was sqealing because the tire was misaligned. Straightening the rear wheel fixed the brake squeal, but has caused a new strange problem. It's a noise that sounds like rocks are tumbling around inside my bike somewhere. I can't locate where it's coming from. Sometimes it sounds like the rear wheel, other times it sounds like something is rattling around in my gearbox. It's puzzling. At high speeds (50+) it no longer sounds like rocks but becomes a constant whistle. At low speeds (moving bike with engine off) something sounds like it's grinding...or something. It doesn't seem to affect performance of the bike. I put 86 mi on the bike today. I hope I didn't damage it 

Any ideas are welcome. 

EDIT oh I just thought of something. When tightening the rear axle bolt (one with the pin) I didn't have a torque wrench so perhaps I overtightened it and now something is rubbing/grinding..it's a thought.

It's an '89 with 25k mi 

[Z24_Cavalier]

What year is the bike? I know there is a type of recall on the cam for the 04' 05' models as mine is going in next week for the exact same noise. Might want to get the dealer to listen to it.

[scratch]

Chain slack?

[Turd Ferguson]

Chain slack?

Yeah, I was thinking that the chain is slack enough to rub on something on the non-tension side.

Did you make sure to adjust chain slack to the proper amount?  I'd be careful riding until you are certain what the noise is.  Driveline problems are not something you want to mess around with.  A small problem can cause a very unsafe condition.

-Turd.

[tussey]

I only adjusted the non-chain side of the tire. My chain was recently replaced by my mechanic. He put the proper tension on it but misaligned the rear wheel slightly. I didn't touch the chain side so theoretically the tension shouldn't have changed, right?

[ajgs500]

No everytime you adjust a part of the rear wheel you need to readjust the chain, this means both sides.  Everything needs to be aligned.

[ukchickenlover]

I only adjusted the non-chain side of the tire. My chain was recently replaced by my mechanic. He put the proper tension on it but misaligned the rear wheel slightly. I didn't touch the chain side so theoretically the tension shouldn't have changed, right?

Think about it. If the wheel is rotated by adjusting the right side adjuster then the chain will either be made loose or tighten depending which way moved it.
The noise if the chain is now loose could be the chain hitting the the bottom of the engine casing.

[MarkusN]

I also think it's the chain. But I know the sound you are talking about. (I think.) Your chain is actually tight. That results in grinding noises from the sprocket/chain engagement and the bearing behind the Sprocket.

Adjust post haste, that has the potential to kill that bearing real quick.

(BTW, you may still see some slack in the unloaded bike; the chain tightens up when the rear spring compresses.)

[The Buddha]

Non chain side ... adjusting has the opposite effect ... as in you move that side back and the chain goes looser, and move it forward and its tighter ... and you probably have a chain that is too tight ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[octane]

I agree. Chain is either not adjusted correctly or you've got a bad wheel bearing.

[veeref]

I have had this same whirling sound, but I only hear it when I'm coasting to a stop.  I checked my chain tension and its within specs.  When I adjusted my rear wheel, I got my rear brake to stop squeeling but now I hear this.  Is my chain still too tight?

[3imo]

it is possible you r chain is still too tight.  when you checked your chain adjustment "within spec" was it on the center stand or side stand?

if you do it on the center stand it will tighten up when you let it down, a bit. 

I never did get rid of that noise though.  it only goes away if I lossen the chain alot and turn the wheeel by hand.  as soon as I get her within spec she starts grinding again.

I can barely hear it on my 99', anymore.  But its there.  I eventually wrote it off as natural, or something.

**edit...thats not true, actually. my daddy came over and fixed it for me. thats why I can barely hear it any more. He said it was the sprockets not aligned properly...I have since removed my rear wheel countless times and the sound is still there but just alot less noticeable. (thats what I meant)

sigh...I have nothing else to do but type. 

[tussey]

I only adjusted the non-chain side of the tire. My chain was recently replaced by my mechanic. He put the proper tension on it but misaligned the rear wheel slightly. I didn't touch the chain side so theoretically the tension shouldn't have changed, right?

Think about it. If the wheel is rotated by adjusting the right side adjuster then the chain will either be made loose or tighten depending which way moved it.
The noise if the chain is now loose could be the chain hitting the the bottom of the engine casing.

This sounds most probable. I mobved the right side adjuster back two or three notches, that is alot so I'm sure it loosened it up enough to scrape something in my sprocket case which would explain why the grinding sounds like it's coming from below me sometimes. I will adjust the left side asap.

[MarkusN]

I have had this same whirling sound, but I only hear it when I'm coasting to a stop. I checked my chain tension and its within specs. When I adjusted my rear wheel, I got my rear brake to stop squeeling but now I hear this. Is my chain still too tight?

Since you hear it when coasting that's probably just the chain scraping over the swing arm protector. Slightly loose, IOW.

[veeref]

I have had this same whirling sound, but I only hear it when I'm coasting to a stop. I checked my chain tension and its within specs. When I adjusted my rear wheel, I got my rear brake to stop squeeling but now I hear this. Is my chain still too tight?

Since you hear it when coasting that's probably just the chain scraping over the swing arm protector. Slightly loose, IOW.

Cool, that's what I figured, slightly loose.  I checked the chain tension with it on the side stand, and it's on the loose end of specs (1.2") I believe.  Thanks!

Randy

[tussey]

I have had this same whirling sound, but I only hear it when I'm coasting to a stop. I checked my chain tension and its within specs. When I adjusted my rear wheel, I got my rear brake to stop squeeling but now I hear this. Is my chain still too tight?

Since you hear it when coasting that's probably just the chain scraping over the swing arm protector. Slightly loose, IOW.

Cool, that's what I figured, slightly loose.  I checked the chain tension with it on the side stand, and it's on the loose end of specs (1.2") I believe.  Thanks!
Randy

So I checked my freeplay today. First time ever checking. It was VERY tight, but then again I'm not sure what proper tension feels like. I got a ruler and I was trying to check the freeplay but three things concerned me.

1) I don't see how moving right side rear alignment would drop the chain enough to start hitting something. I only moved it two notches I didn't touch the left side rear alignment.

2) When checking chain freeplay I didn't know how hard to push up and down on the free play. Pushing up allowed me to get alot of movement but I was pushing pretty hard, harder than think would be practical so how excatly do I check the freeplay of the chain.

3) I'm very afraid of over tightening the chain and busting something. How whll I know if I've got the chain to tight? Will it be hard to turn the rear alignment screw? Will there be warning signs if I'm making it to tight? Or will something just suddenly break?

Thanks.

[ukchickenlover]

I think you just lightly lift the chain up. If it is too tight it can put alot of stress on the gear box.

If you think the chain is hitting something then put ot on it's centre stand and rotate the wheel and have a look around the chain.

[average]

Non chain side ... adjusting has the opposite effect ... as in you move that side back and the chain goes looser, and move it forward and its tighter ... and you probably have a chain that is too tight ...
Cool.
Srinath.

I agree. Sounds like your stressing the chain out abit.
Loosen it up some and see how that works out for you.

[scratch]

So I checked my freeplay today.  First time ever checking.  It was VERY tight, but then again I'm not sure what proper tension feels like.  I got a ruler and I was trying to check the freeplay but three things concerned me.

Was it in gear?  If it's in gear that will give a false reading, and it's usually too tight.

1) I don't see how moving right side rear alignment would drop the chain enough to start hitting something.  I only moved it two notches I didn't touch the left side rear alignment.

Two notches!  That's alot!  You're sprocket may no longer be aligned with the chain!
Your popping may be from the chain coming off the teeth at an angle, getting hung up and then 'popping' off!

Or, it "dropped" (slackened) the chain enough that the top run is dragging across the top of the swingarm.

2) When checking chain freeplay I didn't know how hard to push up and down on the free play.  Pushing up allowed me to get alot of movement but I was pushing pretty hard, harder than think would be practical so how excatly do I check the freeplay of the chain?

Til you feel resistance.  How much?  A pound of pressure, that's how much.

3) I'm very afraid of over tightening the chain and busting something.  How will I know if I've got the chain too tight?

After you have re-tightened the axle (the axle will cause the swingarm to tighten the chain further), check the chain tension.  This is why I state to only tighten a little bit at a time.

Will it be hard to turn the rear alignment screw?

Nope

Will there be warning signs if I'm making it to tight?

Nope.

Or, will something just suddenly break?

Maybe when riding.  But we're trying to help you avoid this.

[tussey]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=9300.msg80592#msg80592

Ok I'm convinced my chain is too tight, going to adjust now.

UPDATE: Chain was def too tight. I loosened it up and the noise went away, unfortunately brake squeal is back. I will tweak the aligment over the next few days. Thanks alot everyone for the help