Jon,
Tell me how many times you lubed your chain? Every few tanks? Every 300miles? Maybe once every 2K miles?
Count 20 links on the top rung of the chain. You will have to remove the chain guard. Hang about 10lbs of weight on the lower rung so the upper rung is tight and is climbing the sprockets for this measurement.
Drive Chain 20-link Length:
Std: 12.50 to 12.53 inches or (317.5 ~ 318.2mm)
Serviceable Limit: 12.7 inches (323mm)
If you exceeded this limit, replace sprockets as well. Rub both hands together. Which palm stayed cold? OK, now do we de-squid ourselves and change chain is always change sprockets?
Want a trick? If the new chain needs to be broken-in, you do not follow normal slack. You use more slack being over 1/8th inch or more than normal. This will stop a lot of the high spots you may be feeling? Not only do you measure the 1st and 21st pin, but you move the chain about 4 times to see how square the wear is?
If one measurement is within spec, it is that high spot is what you just checked. The low spot or what you hear down the road is a, Whaaaa-whaaa sound of the pitch of the change in high to low spots on a too dry a chain.
Here is one simple direction. The more teeth you have on the rear sprocket, the easier it is to wheelie.
The next direction is, the lower in teeth you have at the rear sprocket, the better gas mileage.
Front sprockets sort of blend what is too radical at the back and more or less is a combo where the changes can bring the wheelie down to a less aggressive, quick stand up.
Sort of like instead of a light switch coming on, the two compliment each other to sort of bring the wheelie to a more control-able throttle apply.
The drag/wheelie guys will clean up my explanation and give you more how it feels if you use this counter with this rear sprocket combo and then choose your weapon from there. Ask for a link count so you have enough chain and sprocket when buying replacement parts.
If you think that knock is chain related, inspect each roller at the links. See if one is distorted or a tooth hangs up on either sprocket as you roll the wheel slow and statically by hand.
* Last updated by: Hub on 7/5/2009 @ 11:36 PM *
Tormenting the motorcycling community one post at a time