Clicking/tapping noise when engine braking

[llaen]

Hi everyone,

I have an 04 GS with 26,000 miles on it.
Recently (last 10 rides or so) I'm noticing an irregular tapping noise when engine braking. It disappears then I squeeze the clutch or give it a bit of gas, but is always there when the throttle is idle and I'm in gear.

Silly timing as I was thinking of selling the bike next spring and this may scare people away (it'd scare me).

I tried recording it with my phone while riding, but had limited success. Here's the file (~700KB): https://www.box.com/s/2fg4wzjjmryx95rea4e5
It starts around the 5th second. Sorry it's really quiet but it may be helpful to hear it. My phone was in the tank bag and it's still picking it up so it's fairly discernible while riding.

Any pointers as to what I can look at during the winter?
Thanks!!

[ThatOtherGuy]

chain tension?

[adidasguy]

chain tension?

My guess, too. Chain is loose or has stuck links. Chain is slapping the frame or clacking on the sprockets. Check that first. How old is the chain? Last time tension checked? Last time oiled?

26,000 miles? If that is the original chain, probably past due for new chain and sprockets.

[pinkums]

Has happened to mine before. Grease your chain and check/adjust the tension if needed, ought to fix it.

[llaen]

I had just greased it prior to that ride.

That said I've never tested the tension. Personally I've had it for about 11,000 miles. No idea if it's been changed before or not.

I'll take a closer look.
Thanks! That's pretty good news considering my initial fears. 

[Slack]

Factory recommends checking chain tension once a week or once every 800 miles, something fairly often like that.

[crzydood17]

look at your chain vs your center stand, should be about an inch between it and the chain, normally that is where the chain hits when its clicking... ask me how I know.

[llaen]

Factory recommends checking chain tension once a week or once every 800 miles, something fairly often like that.

Once a week/1.5 years, 800 miles/11,000 miles... Who can tell the difference between those two nowadays.

[ThatOtherGuy]

I've found the best way to tension the chain is to centre stand it.  Using a steel rod (I use one from a Tbar socket handle) find the middle of the chain between front and rear, while in neutral spin the back wheel and press up on the chain from underneath with the rod (chain running over the rod) until you find the tight spot where the chain is shortest, this is where you should measure chain slack since it is where the chain will be the tightest.  I also use a laser chain alignment tool to make sure everything is straight.  I do this every second lube or basically every 2000kms or 1250miles.

[gsJack]

A badly worn front sprocket will click loudly when engine braking at low speeds.  Take the cover off and look for worn hooked teeth if lubing and adjusting the chain doesn't eliminate the problem.

[sledge]

Also check the condition of the splines both on the OP shaft and in the sprocket particularly if there is a lot of red dust present. Any wear between the two will be obvious. Wouldnt hurt to clean them up and slap some heavy grease on at the same time.

[llaen]

Alrighty! Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Can't wait for it stop raining so I can get to it.

[llaen]

Okay, I finally got around to adjusting the chain. The ride after was less than pleasant - there was an occasional thumping noise from the rear.
I put the bike on the centre stand (I had done it on sidestand as prescribed in manual), spun the wheel and noticed that the chain tightens up a fair bit in places so I'm guessing that was the thumping noise. I had to loosen it a fair bit to get it to be up to spec in the tighest place. Seems like it's time for a new chain.
I can live with that.

The other problem, however, is that I can't align the swingarm markings.

When I started I noticed that they are not equal.
I thought I try and align them, but maybe that was a bad idea.

On the left, I have it around the 4th notch.
The right is almost at 3.

The problem is that to move it from 3 to 4, you have to loosen the screw and there's no way the right one can get to 4 - it gets way too loose.

Am I missing something? Is there anything else I should be doing to align them?

Thanks!

P.S. A side question - does anyone know if you can use a chain breaker for a bicycle chain on a motorbike chain?

[llaen]

Nevermind. Loosen everything and physically pull the wheel.

[ThatOtherGuy]

I have a rubber mallet I use for thumping the tyre to move the wheel forward when doing "minor" alignment adjustments.

I also have one of these for aligning the chain:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uCkB4uB_Kws

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vpl7JbkDQqY

Makes alignment a perfect science and no guessing.

And yes you need a new chain.