Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

OK question from the clueless rider...

A couple of times when I've had to pull up *very* quickly, I get this "tickytickyticky" noise (that's a technical term) coming from the rear... the first time I know I locked up the rear, but the second time it didn't really feel like it had.

Anyway, after this happens the chain is really loose?

Why does this happen?

Sounds a bit odd but make sure everythings done up at the back ie Axle nut, chain adjuster etc. It'll be something like that or a knackered chain, sprocket, wheel bearing etc.

If you get Gos or Mick or one of the guys down there to check it out I reckon they'll pick it in 2 minutes flat

When you lock the rear you get a rattle type sound.

i knwo the rattle when you lock up the rear a littlle bit, its kinda backlash int he chaind,

i get it a bit sometimes when i forget to slip the clutch on big stops ont he track

So that would make the chain heaps loose?

Check as per Glen's post also,

Are your sprockets in good cond, still got all their teeth? Even if the back has, you will need to remove the countershaft cover to check the front .
If the bike is second hand previous owner may have replaced only chain &/or 1 sprocket to sell bike.
Check swingarm pivot bolt/nut is tight.
I would suggest you do not ride the bike till you have fixed the problem. Having the chain fall off @ speed can be deadly, or at the least expensive.

Cheers, thanks for your responses.

I tightned the chain up tonight... it was good two days ago! Will just keep a very close eye on it.

Everything was done up properly. Chain was replaced late last year... though I've probably done 20,000km with it by now. Will check the sprockets tomorrow.

I'll drop down for a coffee in the morning mate, and have a captain cook...

chains stretch- its just what they do...

keep it clean and lubed, and adjusted well and u should be right...

sometimes they just creak a bit cos they are hot...

Mel wrote:I tightned the chain up tonight... it was good two days ago! Will just keep a very close eye on it.

Everything was done up properly. Chain was replaced late last year... though I've probably done 20,000km with it by now.

Unless you're absolutely fanatical about your chain maintenance, that's about your lot for chain life.

The original chain on my ZX6 lasted until just over 50,000km. Its replacement is already ratshit and waiting for me to be home long enough to cut it off and lob it in the bin, not quite 25,000km later.

The difference? With the original chain, I'd clean it with a rag and lube it every couple of tanks of fuel or after every ride in the wet, whichever came first. The current chain, it was more like every fourth tank of fuel or whenever I could be arsed.

With the ZRX I lube the chain every week/200klm . I got 28'000 k's from my original set in Cairns (ie a LOT of rain riding). The replacement chain is now 34'000k's old & done maybe 170 drag strip launches , and has just reached the service limit ( with a 20 link measurement) . This was a top of the line GXW Gold chain on a 225kg dry bike with a 110kg suited up rider. It pays to buy a GOOD chain, they may seem expensive but really come into there own for value IF you look after them . Look @ 34'000 K's for a $240 chain against 4000 k's for a $280 rear tyre .

u left urself wide open for a few smart arse comments there mel