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Nik
| Posted on Monday, October 31, 2011 - 07:27 pm: |
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I checked my primary 1500 miles ago, and it was right at the loose end of spec, where I like it. Then just last week a noise started emanating from that area that initially made me think I needed to start shopping for a new engine. But I decided to check out the primary first. So yesterday I checked the tension again, and it was definitely loose and out of spec (>3/4" of play). Before adjusting it though, I let the bike idle for a bit and warm up, then tightened it. Noise went away. Loosened it again. Noise came back. So tightened it to where noise just went away, shut down the engine and checked the tension. All was well, at the loose end of the spec for a warm engine. So simple fix right? Then I start it this morning. Scary noise is back! I figured that it was still too loose when cold and would quite down as the bike warmed up. It did. Then by the end of my commute when it was good and hot, the primary started whining like a supercharger! Besides the problem of now wanting a supercharger, I'm now wondering how the chain can be too loose when cold and too tight when hot, especially so suddenly. The bike has 64k on it. Maybe the chain really wasn't too loose and tightening it is masking some other problem (loose flywheel sprocket maybe?) Do the chains wear out? I adjusted it again by sound, to where there's no death rattle or supercharger whine, just after getting home while it was good and hot. After it cools off in a couple hours I'll check the tension more thoroughly. |
Greg_e
| Posted on Monday, October 31, 2011 - 09:29 pm: |
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I would check the nut on the front sprocket, after that it might be a bearing on one of the shafts going bad. |
Nik
| Posted on Monday, October 31, 2011 - 09:58 pm: |
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Alright, my more thorough inspection of chain tension and scary noise reveals that in order to make the noise go away the chain has to be way too tight (~1/8" of play,) at its tightest spot. I should note that there's no other symptoms besides the noise. No loss of power, no hard shifting, no crazy vibes, nothing like that. Also the noise does NOT go away by loading the clutch or while riding at low speed (like I've heard the front sprocket nut does.) I can't hear it while at speed but that doesn't mean its not there, I just can't hear it over all the normal air cooled clatter. I guess I should pull the cover at this point and take a peak inside though. |
Gunut75
| Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2011 - 08:43 am: |
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Yup: Take it apart. I took my primary apart and found out I put on 18k miles without the thrust washer behind the clutch basket. Came that way from the factory. It allowed the ring gear to touch the inner primary/crankcase wall. I never had a whining sound though. |
Danair
| Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2011 - 09:07 am: |
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Check the shoe on the adjuster. |
Nik
| Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2011 - 08:11 pm: |
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Well the flywheel/engine side primary sprocket is definitely loose. I can rotate it a couple degrees without it engaging the crank. The nut however doesn't appear loose. I'll make up the tool to lock it tomorrow and dig further. I suspect the splines are toast |
Gunut75
| Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2011 - 10:09 pm: |
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There is some freeplay in there from the spline, through the clutch plates, and to the ring gear. I have yet to hear of the spline failing though. Check the bearing in the middle of the clutch pack. I have read a few threads about that one too. Easy to get to though. Keep us informed. |
Natexlh1000
| Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2011 - 11:01 pm: |
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Aren't those splines tapered a bit? I seem to recall the torque specs were increased to eliminate clunking. Perhaps just loosening the nut and retorquing it will fix ya. |
Nik
| Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2011 - 11:02 pm: |
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I'm pretty sure it was a loose engine sprocket nut. I was able to remove it without too much difficulty with just a standard ratchet. Definitely not at even the old spec to 200ft lbs. Maybe 50? Splines are slightly worn but not too bad. I'll probably put it back on with some Locktite 620 (the green stuff for worn bearing bores). I'll check everything while I'm in there though. |
Gunut75
| Posted on Thursday, November 03, 2011 - 08:03 am: |
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Cool. Nice easy fix. I didn't need to take my engine sprocket off, but while I was in there I did re-torque it to the updated specs just to be safe. |
Nik
| Posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2011 - 10:39 pm: |
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Just went to bolt it back up!!... and dealer sold me an XL primary gasket. Boooo. Also got rear ended on the way back from said dealership after getting the wrong gasket. This is frustrating enough without having to deal with the wrong parts. I never should have moved away from American Sport Bike. |
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