Chain grinding

Message
Author
User avatar
NorthernPete
Legendary 3000
Legendary 3000
Posts: 3485
Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 4:24 pm
Real Name: Pete
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 11
My Motorcycle: 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada

Chain grinding

#1 Unread post by NorthernPete »

I tried to take some of the slack out of my chain last year, long story short, I ended up having to replace the two wheel adjustment things the other day due to the age of the old ones and strippage of bolts. I now have a grinding of the chain on the sprokets. I have evenly tightened the bolts using the notches on the frame, and the chain is at the proper tightness. But I can see by marks on the sproket that the chain seems to be sitting differently then it was before, not geting fully into the teeth. I cant seem to get this straightened out. Is there perhaps something not quite in alignment even though the marks say it is, a bend some where?

Image

Image

Sorry about the blurry pic.
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F
JCS
Legendary 300
Legendary 300
Posts: 383
Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2005 12:19 pm
Sex: Male
Location: NW Ohio

#2 Unread post by JCS »

Those adjusting marks are not always accurate.

Also I can't tell from the pics but it might be time for a new chain AND sprockets. Always replace both together.
I would be the old, slow guy. Just let me know where you are going and I'll try to get there before you leave.
User avatar
Britjoe
Legendary
Legendary
Posts: 268
Joined: Sun May 01, 2005 2:19 pm
Sex: Male
Location: Calgary

#3 Unread post by Britjoe »

YUP never go by factory marks, check lignment with your eyes, and yup those sprockets and chain look hammmered
User avatar
BuzZz
Site Supporter - Platinum
Site Supporter - Platinum
Posts: 4726
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2004 12:02 am
Real Name: Never Used Here
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 47
My Motorcycle: makes my 'nads tingle
Location: Buttfluck Nowhere, Manitoba

#4 Unread post by BuzZz »

Ditto. Chain and sprockets are hooped.
No Witnesses.... :shifty:
User avatar
NorthernPete
Legendary 3000
Legendary 3000
Posts: 3485
Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 4:24 pm
Real Name: Pete
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 11
My Motorcycle: 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada

#5 Unread post by NorthernPete »

Geeze, althouhg I suppose I should have seen it coming, I havent spent my mantitory 100's of dollars on parts and everything before riding yet this year *L

New Chain = 120
New Sproket = 90

Im gonna have a look online for cheaper parts..I hate dealerships...damn mark ups...
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F
User avatar
BuzZz
Site Supporter - Platinum
Site Supporter - Platinum
Posts: 4726
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2004 12:02 am
Real Name: Never Used Here
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 47
My Motorcycle: makes my 'nads tingle
Location: Buttfluck Nowhere, Manitoba

#6 Unread post by BuzZz »

Uuummm.... both sprockets, Dude. Or you will waste your new chain and the one new sprocket in record time. A little more outlay initially, but it will save you repeating the whole cash-outflow thing in a month or two.

Sucks, I know, but it's cheaper to do it right the first time. Sorry.
No Witnesses.... :shifty:
User avatar
NorthernPete
Legendary 3000
Legendary 3000
Posts: 3485
Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 4:24 pm
Real Name: Pete
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 11
My Motorcycle: 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada

#7 Unread post by NorthernPete »

Dag..... I shoulda saved all my cash and bought a bike that wasnt 23 years old..... :laughing:

Oh well, anyone know of an aftermarket parts web site I could have a visit to?
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F
User avatar
NorthernPete
Legendary 3000
Legendary 3000
Posts: 3485
Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 4:24 pm
Real Name: Pete
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 11
My Motorcycle: 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada

#8 Unread post by NorthernPete »

NM found one...

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.co ... XS400K.asp

mucho cool.... and many aftermarket parts as well.. found the sprockets, Ill have to talk to the dealer about the chain, what type and what not, so I dont order the wrong type.

Ill have replaced everything on this bike by the time Im done *L
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F
User avatar
NorthernPete
Legendary 3000
Legendary 3000
Posts: 3485
Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 4:24 pm
Real Name: Pete
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 11
My Motorcycle: 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada

#9 Unread post by NorthernPete »

Well, according to my mechanic, its not an alignment problem, it is, as has been pointed out by you guys (thanks BTW, Ill just take pics from now on and let you all be my free mechanics *L) that the chain is worn, and needs replacing. so next new parts = sprokets and chain. w00t. and a carb kit... should be all good by riding season. (BTW, got about 10 klicks on the bike so far, my mechanic said I could ride this way all season, but it would be hella rough *L)
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F
Post Reply