Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hey guys answer me this, are new chains and sprockets supposed to be noisy?

Just got them fitted yesterday and had my first ride to work this morning. They're making a wierd whirring noise which increases in pitch as the speed increases.

I've never had to replace them before, so dunno if its normal or not. I figure they might take a while to bed in....

They lubed?

Yup

Mizz ZZR wrote:Hey guys answer me this, are new chains and sprockets supposed to be noisy?

Just got them fitted yesterday and had my first ride to work this morning. They're making a wierd whirring noise which increases in pitch as the speed increases.

I've never had to replace them before, so dunno if its normal or not. I figure they might take a while to bed in....

in answer...nope

the only time they will be noisy is if.....
no lube
incorrectly fitted or adjusted
sprockets loose (don't larf, idiots happen)

I would be asking them who did it..the question

cheers

No it shouldn't.

I just got new set of sprocks n chain last week, very quiet.

It can Karen, My last chain set whirred a little bit till it settled in. If its excessive though i would say its too tight or incorrect pitch.
I Love the whir from my front brakes when i'm really on them, sounds cool .
hth.
cheers Brett

Ok, here's an update. After a close inspection of the chain, I found that it was adjusted way too tight according to the service manual. It allows between 35 and 45mm of slack and I don't think there was even 25.

We've loosened it off a bit and the noise has reduced but its still there. I'm happy to leave it for a while to see if the rest is just settling. I'll just keep checking the slack after each ride for a while.

Woops! Kaz here......

heres an idea to save the double login. Have two web browsers there and each of you only use one for ksrc-au, that way you've got your own login set automatically & you dont have to log the other out everytime you want to post something in here.

z900/zx9 wrote:Ok, here's an update. After a close inspection of the chain, I found that it was adjusted way too tight according to the service manual. It allows between 35 and 45mm of slack and I don't think there was even 25.

We've loosened it off a bit and the noise has reduced but its still there. I'm happy to leave it for a while to see if the rest is just settling. I'll just keep checking the slack after each ride for a while.

Woops! Kaz here......

all chains make a bit of noise
more a whirring or zzooozzing noise when working
but should not click clunk or grind

hth

cheers

Ok thanks Smitty, looks like its fine then

Kaz, dont know if u know this or not but chains should be lubed when they are hot.

if u lube it when its cold, the lube flicks off and minimal lube is present, which will cause niose.

Kaz: Yep knew that one, thanks Mina.

new chains stretch a bit and need tightening after a couple of hundred k's
seems lots of places just over tighten it to start with. spoken to a few people who have had this prob

smek wrote:new chains stretch a bit and need tightening after a couple of hundred k's
seems lots of places just over tighten it to start with. spoken to a few people who have had this prob

and that is bad...
coz it can damage/wear quickly the chain AND sprockets

Thought I'd give y'all an update on this thread, if you care/are interested/in case it happens to you.

Been to Adelaide and back and have done 3000km on the new set and its still making the noise and NOW has tight spots also....nice hey? NOT.

I called the mech on his first day back at work (although not full time till this week) and told him of the problem. He thinks the chain must be faulty and has asked me to call him tomorrow and bring it in so he can have a look.

In the meantime though he was going to talk to his supplier about it, and said he doubts if they'll honour a warranty because of the time that has elapsed. He said he might just offer me a credit for it. I personally don't think its my problem if I had it fitted on his last day before xmas break and I've called him on his first day back - there was no way of me to contact him in the meantime.

I also told him that I wanted a replacement and a DID one this time (as originally quoted). Mind you, he quoted me $185 for a DID, and the shit one he fitted charged me $175.... I have since found out that I can buy a DID X-ring for my bike for $139 from the Yamaha shop 5 doors down.

The whole job (sprockets included) cost $349. I originally told him that I was happy to pay the difference between the shit one and the good one, til I found I could get one cheaper - this bit is yet to be discussed. I'm not forking out for a whole new one though.

The brand of the shit one is CZ - whatever TF that is....

So, I'll call him tomorrow and see what he says.... stay tuned.

In the meantime, any suggestions/hints welcome

I'm spewin cause this guy is the only local convenient guy there is for me. I'm praying that it all turns out ok.