Odd noise from bottom of the bike

[JimmyGulp]

Howdy,

I've noticed an odd noise from the bottom (around the pegs) on my Curvy (99/X). Its the same noise you'd get on a train as it goes over the joins in the track (tickety-tock, tickety-tock, etc).

Now, it only seems to be there when on the power (ie, accelerating), and not when coasting, or slowing down. I'd don't believe it to be the chain, as if I pull in the clutch, the noise disappears. Its more noticable in 1st and 2nd, and is almost gone by 3rd, and disappears by 4th and up.

Any clues on what it might be, and where to start looking (I'm not entirely mechanically minded, but I'll give it a go) would be appreciated.

Oh, and happy new year and all that

Cheers

[tigersaw]

But when you pull in the clutch you are no longer applying power to the chain..
Sure your chain is not too tight, or stretched?

Chain too tight....

[JimmyGulp]

I don't think its the chain... mainly cause the last chain I had, I'd over tightened it, and got it to snap on the M1 at ~90mph, so I was deliberately leaving it on the slack side, so much so that when I got my tyres replaced on Saturday, the chap said "your chain is practically scraping the floor, want me to tighten it up for you?"

I did tighten it up (about 2inch vertical movement when not sat on it) towards the beginning of Dec, so it probably needed the adjustment anyway...

I'll try and get a look at the front sprocket tonight to see if anyhting is amiss there.

Thanks for your help

[JimmyGulp]

Oh, and its regularly lubed up (every night when I get home, the daily commute it 90miles). I'll also check the chain while I'm out in the cold to see if I can spot any tight spots.

[Wideboy]

it could be just where the motor is under load, mines does it if you accelerate hard from low revs in 2nd or 3rd. That's what mine does anyway

[Wideboy]

mind you mine doesn't sound like a train on the tracks

[jambo]

The chain would be my first port of call. Having your chain too slack isn't the best way of protecting it (though I understand your caution). Use a rear paddock stand, that way the weight is still on the swing arm and you can check the tension as if the bike was on the side stand. The thing is you can turn the wheel and check the whole chain. 2 inches is about 50mm of slack from top to bottom of travel, that's too much, IIRC the SV wants about 30mm of slack at the tightest point.

Make sure you check carefully for tight spots as I've seen some chains adjusted so that they're spot on at one point, and like a bow sting at others, mind you that tends to imply the chain's shot anyway!

Jambo

[JimmyGulp]

Annoyingly, I didn't get a chance to look at the bike last night, but had a look this morning before setting off to work. It looked a little dry (been sat for most of the week), so lubed it up, and didn't get any annoying sounds... I'll lube it tonight, and again in the morning to see if that helps.

If it does, sounds like its time to get a scottoiler or something

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by JimmyGulp

If it does, sounds like its time to get a scottoiler or something

Mine hasn't been touched for the last 4000 miles except to put more oil in it, the chain looks the same as when I fitted the oiler and hasn't needed adjusting once.