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Supreme Being
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To close the last episode, the new reg-rec cured it and the bike ran fine for a while (then the wiring to the non-existent side stand switch went funny and stranded me 2 miles from home with a big hill in the way. I haven't pushed a bike that far for many years, and I don't really want to do it again). But the bike is sorted now and going like a good 'un.
I went for Avon Distanzias in the end. They were the cheapest 90% road option by a mile, and with my reduced hours I am having to be careful with the old cash outlay. I've only done about 100 miles in the wet on them so far, so they aren't scrubbed in (in fact, they still have some flappy moulding materials in the centre of the tread) but first impressions are quite good. They wander in a straight line a bit more than the Trail Wings, but corner grip seems good, at least as much as you can tell on wet roads in a British 'summer'.
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2003 ST1300 Pan Euro
1995 Yam XT600E
http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/
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Supreme Being
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| That's a result, then! Apart from the pushing - my sympathies on that one. Hope it continues to run from this point forth.
>> ex silens nox noctis <<
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Supreme Being
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Thanks Endo. I did promise some pics of the new tyres a while back - I'll see if I can do some tomorrow.
Next problem is a noise. A kind of shushing, slight scr@ping noise, about a third of road wheel speed, so almost certainly the chain. Happens under drive and on the over-run. Only really noticeable when riding next to a wall and the sound is reflected back, but if yo listen hard it is there at other times too. I've looked and looked at the chain and the roller things it goes over, and I can't find any tight spots or signs of wear, but something is rubbing somewhere. It started when I put a top-box on, and went away when I jacked up the shock, but now it's come back. I'm going to have a really good look tomorrow, but I think it may be new chain and sprox time.
Thoughts?
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2003 ST1300 Pan Euro
1995 Yam XT600E
http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/
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Supreme Being
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| My first thought would've been tight spot, especially since it started under extra compression at the back. Could be the rear wheel just out of alignment, perhaps? Or the rear sprocket beginning to show signs of wear. I'm sure you would have noticed the shiny spot by now if it was the chain rubbing against frame or swingarm anywhere! Most anything else should give more of a clunking sound, in my experience - worn cush drive, for example (I presume the XT has a cush). I did have a rear sprocket mounting bolt work very slightly loose once, started off as an odd scratching sound as it just touched the swingarm but very quickly became a full-on clattering! Are the chain and sprockets fairly elderly - you sound like you're already half-expecting to replace them?
>> ex silens nox noctis <<
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Supreme Being
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I've checked chain tension, wheel alignment and for stiff links and signs of rubbing - nothing. The noise is there if you run the bike on a paddock stand, and it seems to be where it runs over either the plastic swing-arm protector or the little pulley that sits under the chain's lower run. Lifting or moving the chain while it is running (don't try this at home) makes no difference, and while riding the bike downhill with the engine off, bouncing up and down on the pegs makes no difference either. So it looks like it isn't an alignment problem. I've slackened the rear shock off and removed and lubricated the pulley, and it's a bit better. But I've also measured the chain and it's getting out of spec. 10 links should measure a maxmum of 150.2 mm and they actually measure 150.5. As you correctly say, I am expecting to replace them soon anyhow (thebike came to me with no history), so that will just bring it forward. B*llocks - it's a swingarm out job.
On a lighter note, here are some pics of the new tyres.
And one of the bike for good measure:
--
2003 ST1300 Pan Euro
1995 Yam XT600E
http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/
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Supreme Being
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Sorted! I have put new chain and sprox on today. The noise is gone, and bloody hell it's like having a new bike! Smoother, quieter, easier gear changes, all good. The chain was beyond its service limit, but I couldn't find any tight spots and it seemed in good nick otherwise. The rear sprocket had almost no wear at all. But the front sprocket was well worn, hooked and in a bad state.
The chain came with a spring clip link, so I didn't even need to drop the swingarm, although I am slightly nervous about that. I haven't had a motorbike without a solid chain since the Jawa days of the 70s, and even my pushbikes have all had solid chains due to the Disraeli Gears. [Kultural reference for men of a certain age.] I suppose it must be OK, or M&P wouldn't sell 'em like that, but oo-er, Missus. At least it will make it easy to drop the chain off for cleaning, so perhaps overall it's a good thing. At least it's not a 140bhp snorting beast capable of 180, when I really would be worried.
Any thoughts, boys and girls?
--
2003 ST1300 Pan Euro
1995 Yam XT600E
http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/
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Supreme Being
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| I've always been told that spring clips are OK up to about 50 horse, so you're probably within limits there. But I'd be a little cautious with the pulses from a big thumper - I would imagine that's more significant than the outright power in stressing the link clip. We did once try a home splitting and rivetting operation on a mate's bike - it wasn't altogether successful. Without the proper tool it's surprisingly difficult to get enough force on the rivet to peg it securely! However, our friendly local dealer banged it in in about 5 seconds for free (after we pushed the bike there). Haven't listened to a Cream album for ages..might have to dig one out now!
>> ex silens nox noctis <<
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Supreme Being
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endemoniada_88 (28/07/2009)
I've always been told that spring clips are OK up to about 50 horse, so you're probably within limits there. But I'd be a little cautious with the pulses from a big thumper - I would imagine that's more significant than the outright power in stressing the link clip. We did once try a home splitting and rivetting operation on a mate's bike - it wasn't altogether successful. Without the proper tool it's surprisingly difficult to get enough force on the rivet to peg it securely! However, our friendly local dealer banged it in in about 5 seconds for free (after we pushed the bike there). Haven't listened to a Cream album for ages..might have to dig one out now! Ah, well that's a relief then! Since I posted the last message I have been looking it up on the web, and there are plenty of US pages that talk about spring clips on chains as if they were the only show in town, so perhaps it's more common than I thought. It seems to be holding up OK so far, anyhow. Buying a chain tool hardly seems worth it for me - 50-odd quid for something I'll only use every couple of years. I've got several ones for bicycles, but I doubt if they would be man enough. I think I'll stick with the split link for now and see how it goes. Cream - ah yes, my top band throughout my teens! I stll maintain that Eric Clapton's guitar solo/s in the live version of Crossroads is the best improvised rock guitar ever.
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2003 ST1300 Pan Euro
1995 Yam XT600E
http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/
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