Wheels spinning, no-one home?

[mikebrooman]

I apologise if this has been mentioned before, I did a search and nothing similar came up.
Had my 02 SV (only basic mods) up on a paddock stand for the first time today, as I wanted to give the chain a proper good clean and lube.
Put the bike into first, and noticed two 'problems'.
Firstly the chain was flapping all over the place whilst the bike was on tick over, the tension is correct though as I'd checked it, and the bike was serviced < a week ago. I though this could have been as it was running at 1000rpm rather than the normal 1500rmp as its cold?? as when i revved the bike up a bit, it stopped flapping.
Secondly, the bikes in gear, the clutch is fully in and yet the wheel is still spinning at a considerable rate. Is this normal? Could this explain why I can't get the bike into neutral without turning it off?

So to summarise:
1. should the chain flap about (remember correct tension)
2.Should the wheel spin in neutral
3. Its just been serviced, could they have mucked it up?

Cheers

[petevtwin650]

1) They do flap about especially as there was no rider on it, but that's not to say it's right.

2) They all do that mate.:smt045

3) Yes, quite possibly. :(

[Dangerous Dave]

1) They do flap about especially as there was no rider on it, but that's not to say it's right.

2) They all do that mate.:smt045

3) Yes, quite possibly. :(
+ 1

[richwill68]

So to summarise:
1. should the chain flap about (remember correct tension)
2.Should the wheel spin in neutral
3. Its just been serviced, could they have mucked it up?



1. Dependant on revs and play in chain, yes and no. If you put it in 2nd or 3rd it may stop flapping so much, otherwise just pick up the revs a bit. Also make sure the chain is properly adjusted. Do be aware that a bike in gear falling off a paddock stand is a sight to behold.....

2. Wheel will spin in neutral but should stop with gentle hand pressure (unless your clutch is dragging). For heavens sake stop the rear wheel spinning with the back brake BEFORE you try and ascertain wether gentle hand pressure is enough to prevent rotation. Better yet, use someone elses hand (Joking!!!).

3. Anything's possible.

My curvy is very fussy about chain tension. To slack and it won't pop into neutral as it should.

Hope this helps,

Rich;)

[Sid Squid]

There's nothing wrong.

1) The chain will flap about as, at low revs, the power pulses are quite some time apart, if you had an engine with a full set of four cylinders this would not be a problem :p

2) The various parts of the gearbox when not engaged are not actually physically separated, particularly when cold the oil will be thick enough to allow the powered parts of the gearbox to drag the other bits along with them. It's not a problem, and in fact demonstrates that your rear brake isn't dragging and that your chain is running freely too. :thumright:.

3) As mentioned above anything is possible, but nothing you've told us suggests this true.

[embee]

............and never ever ever try to lube a chain while it's running like this. I can count the number of people who've tried this on the fingers of one ......oops. :smt119

[Sid Squid]

............and never ever ever try to lube a chain while it's running like this. I can count the number of people who've tried this on the fingers of one ......oops. :smt119

Now that is a good bit of advice.

[mikebrooman]

cheers for the advice!
certainly settled my worries.

[bornagain]

So to summarise:
1. should the chain flap about (remember correct tension)
2.Should the wheel spin in neutral
3. Its just been serviced, could they have mucked it up?



Just sounds like normal "clutch drag" - nothing to worry about :p

What's it like with the bike in neutral with engine running, clutch lever out? 8-[

[hovis]

as above..............

but spin the back wheel with one hand while the bike is in nuetral, while oiling the chain, its a lot safer

[Blue_SV650S]

:shock:

As others have said, if you value your hand/fingers, lube chain by moving wheel with hand, not with it running!! ;)

As for clutch drag; in neutral it will spin due to oil friction in the box and that is independent of the clutch as ... well it is in neutral!! :D

But as you are struggling to get it in neutral when running, you might have clutch drag ... this is best tested on the paddock stand, click bike in gear with hand on the clutch, the rear wheel will spin, but you should be able to stop this with pressure from your shoe from the bottom up, if you can't or it is really hard, then adjust the clutch as described in the manual. Use your loaf when doing this as I'd hate to have just saved your fingers and get you to lose your foot!! :colors:

I suppose I should say use a lump of wood, or another inanimate object, but that has its own inherent risks of being flicked out etc, so if you are not daft about it (like your laces are done up and you stick your foot in the least risky place ;)) then foot pressure/rubbing from the underside up is the way to go :)