What to do about a (possible) loose chain?

[TurkeyChicken]

Well, I got back from a 1,200 mile round trip last monday.  I cleaned the bike and took it out for a little spin today and noticed a weird knocking sound whenever i switched gears and re-engaged the clutch and throttled back up. 

I'm not 100% sure, but it really sounds like it's my chain bouncing or something when this happens.  I brought the bike back and the chain definitely moves a bit when pushing it up and down.

Is there anything I can do to tighten the chain or am I pretty much stuck just buying a new one?  What kind of costs are associated with that?

Do you think I properly diagnosed this?  Is there something else that could be causing this?  It only happens at the initial throttle-up after re-engaging the clutch.  It's about 4-5 knocking sounds (kinda thought it was someone hammering nails into wood off in the distance at first).

[kml.krk]

here:  http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Maintenance.AdjustChainTension

good luck

[TurkeyChicken]

here:  http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Maintenance.AdjustChainTension

good luck

ah, great.  For some reason i didn't see it in teh wiki when i was looking.

[kml.krk]

there is a neat search engine in wiki 
cheers 

[TurkeyChicken]

there is a neat search engine in wiki 
cheers 

Well, I was able to tighten  the chain without any real issues, but even after that, the clicking still occurred.

I put the bike in neutral and on the center stand and just rotated the rear wheel.  It looks like the joint where the chain is joined together is messed up.  I lubed it up and it's still doing it. 

Upon closer inspection, at that joint, it "pops" when at about 4-5 o'clock on the gear.  Looks like i'll have to take it in and get a new chain for it

[08GSSteve]

maybe not a new chain maybe just a new master clip.  Assuming the click IS from the master clip?

Much cheaper than a new chain

Best of luck 

[TurkeyChicken]

maybe not a new chain maybe just a new master clip.  Assuming the click IS from the master clip?

Much cheaper than a new chain

Best of luck 

yeah, at this point i can't say for certain.  I'm assuming the chain is the original.  My bike just passed 14,500 miles, so it might not be a bad idea to replace it anyway.

[simoniz]

Sounds like a bad link or two, they are sticking and not moving smoothly as the chain rotates. Time for a new one.

[TurkeyChicken]

Sounds like a bad link or two, they are sticking and not moving smoothly as the chain rotates. Time for a new one.

yeah.  maybe my bike was getting jealous.  I was going to ride it up north about 60 miles to test ride a BMW F800s 

Now it looks like those plans will have to be put on hold. 

[fred]

Well, I got back from a 1,200 mile round trip last monday.  I cleaned the bike and took it out for a little spin today and noticed a weird knocking sound whenever i switched gears and re-engaged the clutch and throttled back up. 

I'm not 100% sure, but it really sounds like it's my chain bouncing or something when this happens.  I brought the bike back and the chain definitely moves a bit when pushing it up and down.

Is there anything I can do to tighten the chain or am I pretty much stuck just buying a new one?  What kind of costs are associated with that?

Do you think I properly diagnosed this?  Is there something else that could be causing this?  It only happens at the initial throttle-up after re-engaging the clutch.  It's about 4-5 knocking sounds (kinda thought it was someone hammering nails into wood off in the distance at first).

You're supposed to check your chain tension every 600 miles, so on your trip you should have checked the slack and lubricated the chain twice... You should lubricate and adjust your chain more often, it will last longer that way...