I searched on this one, neither "chain AND whine" nor "gear AND whine" nor "chain AND noise" turned anything useful up.
I put on a new chain two days ago and got the tension adjusted as given in the Clymer's manual - just shy of an inch of play in the bottom run of the chain. It still seems pretty snug though, at least compared to the old chain (only 7kish miles on it, but it'd sat in storage for years and was pretty rusty). However, I now have what sounds like a gear whine. Is that chain adjusted too tightly, or is a bit of a whine normal on a new chain? Remember, this is my first bike and I only have experience with it as it came from the previous owner, broken or not.
Another noobler question: is it a common thing for the front wheel to track around in heavy ruts on the highway? I've checked my tire pressure and it is OK (32lbs). I did put in progressive springs and 15wt fork oil a couple of weeks ago, and have noticed the difference since then. The front end isn't acting squirrely per se, it just moves around a bit on well-worn roads, especially in a lean -- the problem is not noticeable on good pavement. I have been on edge ever since the "I have no front brakes" incident a couple of weeks ago, so every little instability makes me antsy, meaning it's hard for me to just relax and enjoy the ride. I have gigantic chicken strips on my tires and would like to get them scrubbed in eventually :)
Did you clean and lube the chain? Is it an o-ring, same as you took off? I have a bit of whine on both the GS and SV chains, but I can't hear it while riding with a helmet, only when moving them around in the garage or lubing the chain.
Tramlining is perfectly normal, especially when you have skinny GS tires. If your tire pressure is correct, you're good.
The chain was brand new with plenty of lube/grease on it, but yes I wiped it down anyway and re-lubed it. I think I over-did it, there is a shload of fly-off on my rear tire and wheel.
It's a Parts Unlimited X-ring chain instead of an O-Ring, same width (520), that I had to cut down to the proper size (accidentally ordered a 120 instead of a 110). I can hear the whine at around-town speeds through my helmet and ear plugs. I'll add a little slack to the chain and see if that helps.
the lube flinging off of the chain and on the wheel is normal after you lube it. it is better for it to have alot of lube than not enough, so your fine there. i can hear my chain whining if i lean down towards my chain while riding and also while lubing and moving it around. it sounds as though its all good, just dont put too much slack in the chain as it will create backlash and that isnt the best thing to have. :lol:
.08 to 1.2 inches of chain slack is acceptable and is what is recommended in the manual.
i live/ ride in cincy also, The roads around here suck- yes it will track with the groves that is perfectly normal. if the chain noise is really loud, make sure that the rear wheel track is adjusted properly ( not andlged left or right not [/] looking down or from rear. dont always trust the hash marks on the swing arm
everything's in alignment and the slack's within spec - I went out for a long ride last night and couldn't notice the whine after about 20 minutes of riding. New chain, might've just been breaking in.