Need Help while on trip

B

BUSA 4 LIFE

Registered
Hi all,

I'm still traveling on my 13000 mile journey around the USA.

http://www.wanderingsandmusings.com/ for pictures and stories as I write them.

I've made it over 5000 of those miles and just replaced my back tire, but when they tightened the chain, it started making horrible noises off the rear sprocket.

They showed me the teeth were getting a little bent... it's an aluminum rear sprocket which is not good for the amount of torque the busa has... Good to know, but kinda late
sad.gif


So I need some advise and help.

Advise: It's a clicking popping noise at low speeds, then can't hear it after that. Does this sound right that it's a messed up sprocket? What's the danger of running on it as is until I can find a replacement?

Help: When I changed my tire out in Flagstaff, no shop within 200 miles had a hayabusa rear sprocket!! So I need to find one. I'm hoping San Antonio or Houston will have one. Anyone in these areas know? Or have any contacts there? Any help locating one would be incredibly appreciated.

It's hard to find an internet connection some times, and this being an important issue. If you have a concrete lead on where I should go to fix this issue, give me a call at 509-251-2100 or send a text. Text is easy if it's short as I get them while riding. But call and leave a message too if that makes sense. I'm riding most of the time, and when I'm not, I'm often out in the forest camping with no cell...
smile.gif


Thank you for any help you can give,

Jeff (BusaForLife)
 
Sounds as if they over tightened your chain and now the sprockets are paying or it.. And might have gotten the rear tire a little off center causing additional pain! Not sure where you can go to get one but someone should chime in pretty soon with a suggestion. I've been running aluminum sprockets on my bigbore for years without a single issue! Keep us posted as things develope..

The only other thing that comes to mind is a set of worn cush drives... But, I tend to think its more the other then this.
 
When the shop tightened your chain, they didn't get it too tight did they? You should be able to push up on the bottom of the chain about 3/4" about halfway between the front and rear sprocket. I'm sure someone will post up with the info you need on the sprocket. If you replace the rear sprocket, you will want to also replace the chain and front sprocket if the rear sprocket was damaged.
 
There might be a small kink in the chain or a busted roller. My chain did that to me. I just replaced it. Pheonix or Albuquerque should have something but its sunday so everything is closed. Guess it depends on which way your going. I googled motorcycle shops in Albuquerque and have several results. One was cyclegear.com. They have a retail store in Albuquerque and have chains and sprockets. Hope this helps.
 
I guess I should have put that in there... I'm going to try to be in San Antonio on Tuesday when the shops open, so I'm hoping some shop will have what I need if loosening the chain doesn't help.
 
BUSA 4 LIFE @ Jun. 15 2008 said:
it does look like it's too tight. Will loosening it cure all, or am I pretty much @#$%ed?
Click to expand...
Loosen it up some and see how it sounds. Also like the bug said, check the marks on your swingarm and check to see that the rear wheel is streight, that the back of the axel blocks are on the same mark on both sides. How about chain lube?
 
Try what the other suggest and loosen the chain and check alignment. The other thing to consider is that the chain may be at its 'service limit' - meaning it has stretched to capacity and you are now hearing those noises. How many miles on the chain?
 
both sprockets and chain were brand new put on for this trip, so only 5000 miles on them. The chain is the EK high strength one... so I'm guessing it's all caused by it being too tight and maybe out of alignment. I'll update the thread as I get a chance to loosen it this evening when I stop at my destination.
 
How far are you riding until your next destination? 100 miles with an over tight chain can cause several thousand miles of wear and tear. It's worth a few minutes to stop and do a quick check of the chain tension and wheel alignment.
 
An update...

I loosened the chain to give it enough play (about 3/4" on the bottom) and lubed it up and the noises went away. The wheel is on true according to the marks on the swingarm. There does seem to be some excessive wear for how new the sprocket is, so I guess my failure to correct the situation early has added quite a few artificial miles to it's life. Live and learn
smile.gif


Thanks for all the help on this.

Jeff
 
Were you able to make it in and have the sprocket replaced? Just curious as to how you are doing.
 
Just saw the post, is everything OK? Rubber2burn may be able to get a rear sprocket if not, he works at Wood Fun Center in Austin part time.
 
Yep
smile.gif
All is good at the moment.

When I'm home it's much easier to fiddle an not worry about things as the bike can sit if need be, but as the Busa IS the trip I start to fret about every sounds. LOL. I should just relax, it'll all be fine.

Thanks for all the info and words.

Jeff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Earthdog
Sprocket help
Replies
5
Views
629
Dabusaman
D
J
Need Help/Part Rear Wheel Retainer
Replies
0
Views
790
JZ1
J
topgun61
rear sprocket
2
Replies
21
Views
2,801
Busapilot08
B
2
Advice on sprockets and chain with new wheels
Replies
12
Views
2,804
kml
kml
Dakkine2
Need Help...
Replies
8
Views
636
Dakkine2
Dakkine2
Back
Top