Morning folks I know what the cush drive rubbers do, but I'm not sure if they'd cause the problem - hence the question. When I am decelerating (in gear), I get what sounds like chain slap, and it just feels like there's too much slack in the chain. I use my bike pretty much daily, so I do check everything over and I only adjusted the chain maybe 2 weeks ago. The chain and sprocket where new on the bike when I bought it 9 months or so ago, and certainly the rear sprocket teeth look fine (not had the front cover off to check the front one). When accelerating, there's no snatching or nastiness that you'd associate with a buggered cush drive - only does the noise when slowing down? The bike's a 2008 and has got 25k on it now, so presume it's on the original cush drive rubbers still. I've got no idea how long they generally last, or if there are any checks I can do before stripping it down? Thanks
At 25k I'd be checking the rear bearings... specifically the carrier bearing. My bike at 26k needed the sprocket carrier and rear bearings replacing, I chose to do the front as well and also replace the rubbers in the cush drive whilst it is all apart.
Thanks for the reply - just to check, by rear carrier bearing, do you mean the rear wheel bearing that's fitted into the sprocket carrier doo-hickey? How can I check them? I've had the bike up on stands as part of my routing checking about a month ago, and tried wiggling the wheel around and couldn't feel any play. I don't mind spending £60 on near bearings and cush ribbers, but with a 6 month old nipper at home, it's more a case of having to find time to do it!
Nope. There are two rear bearings, plus the sprocket carrier bearing. Pop the wheel off and check them by hand. Mine felt fine on the bike but notchy when checked by hand... new ones are cheap so worth doing at that mileage anyway.
I'd do everything Mr OCD says but take it a step further and check shock linkage bearings and swing arm linkage bearings too.
Blimey, heading for a complete rear end rebuild?! It doesn't feel like the bike's falling apart or anything, and I didn't think i'd explained it such like I was riding round a clapped out piece of crap! LOL!