Pointy knocking under load

[Wayno]

Hi all, I have a knock coming from the rear drive side of my K5 and it's worrying me as it seems to be getting louder. It happens under load and is in time with the speed not the revs. I'm a reasonably new rider and getting more confident to really open the throttle and accelerate harder lately, I don't know if the knock was always there as I used to just tickle it along.

The rear sprocket and chain look OK to me although the chain was quite slack, I've since tightened the chain (not overly) and it has made no difference. I also can't feel any play in the rear wheel.

Is there anything obvious I should be looking for before I head to the garage and incur costs (skint right now). I commute 100 miles daily in to Central London so I can't afford it to be off the road ether.

Thanks in advance.

[mikerj]

Check the chain for seized or stiff links. These will cause a knocking noise as they pass around the sprockets, especially the front sprocket.

[Sid Squid]

Check the teeth of both sprockets for damage. Clearly a used chain will not be perfect, but all the teeth should be a consistent shape.

[Wayno]

This morning I carefully lubed each joint of the chain one at a time making sure it seeped into both sides, left if for a bit and then took it for a ride.

Nice and quiet! Must have just been a stiff link, I must take more time and be more thorough in future. Thanks for the help, I was really worried it was something more serious.

[21QUEST]

Hi, I'd still be inclined to do what SS suggested ie take the front sprocket cover off and check the condition of the front sprocket.

[Wayno]

Will do. May replace the lot soon anyway and give the whole area a good degrease, it's pretty mucky.

Thanks.