funny chain sounds

[sailorstarrr]

As I drove home today, a couple of times when I was trying to downshift I got a very weird sound like the chain wasn't connecting. It scared the crap out of me, but I got home safely, and I was able to switch gears fine after that. I'm sure someone out there knows what I did wrong, so if you do, could you please let me know so I could avoid doing that again. Also, do I need to check for anything in particular before going out again? Thanks!

-Diana

[still need to think of a signature...]

[Wizzard]

With your bike in neutral gear , see how much free play (up & down) there is in your chain . Shouldn't have more than half an inch . Sounds as if you may need to adjust it . At least with the little info at my disposal this is what I recommend checking first . Also is it dry or have a lot of crud on it ?
Regards, Wizzard

[ejshotgun]

If you can't see/hear anything while bike in neutral on the side stand. Can you get the rear tire off the ground so you can spin(center stand or something to sit the bike on)it? I've done that when I thought I had probs w/my chain.

[jmillheiser]

Ill second the loose chain theory.

Kinda glad my bike is shaft drive, dont have to deal with chain issues.

[Dirtytoes]

looks like an ex500? right? i hav the same bike, year 2005
has happened to me before......actually happens all the time.......now that i saw this post, i'm kinda worried..........i always thought it was because i was trying to shift down to 1 or 2 at high speed.....when i shift down at low speed nothing happens.....but it ALWAYS happens at high speeds....not sure how fast