Chaps, After spending far too much money on upgrades, i have had a vibration on the bike at about 115 to 125 mph. We have checked the balancing soooo many times but still there. Gone back to stock wheels and still there (but not as harsh). Changed discs and pads back to stock and still there. So.. my only suspect left is the chain. I went for a lightweight, narrower chain and sprockets to match. So this morning i removed the front sprocket cover and chain guard and tested the bike upto speed and i can physically see the chain oscillate in the 'wobble zone'. to further point the finger at the chain, the swingarm has become scored behind the heel plate. All parts and chain are top notch brands so its a little alarming.. HOWEVER.. my thoughts are that there is a nylon 'runner' which sits on top of the swing arm which the chain runs along. Now, there is a ridge in the centre of this runner, which is designed for the standard chain, so do you think it could be this causing the chain to not sit properly - or do you think at that speed it shouldnt be touching the runner (i cant see that from sitting on the bike). Over to you - im flummoxed. BTW, i have tried the chain at various tensions and it still vibes. ALSO, it is most apparent under acceleration - not constant speed or deceleration.
Its a weird one mate. My mate had a similar complaint with his Gixxer which turned out to be a loose front sprocket . I cant really think of anything else that you have not already tried
Mate, its a pain in the arse. The only thing left to try it re-install old chain and sprockets, which is a ball-ache without a chain splitter! And it will look shit with my wheels I'm going to try an flip the 'runner' over to the flat side an test it. Prob have to drill new holes.
Yeah sounds it,i know how much of a headache it is .. I had a vibration under braking on my last bike which drove me nuts trying find. New discs + pads-still there.New head bearings-still there. Calliper clean and new seals+ braided lines and fluid-still there .. In the end i just traded it in lol trial and error is key here fella . Pain in the arse yes but hopefully it is the rubber guide sending in to a wobble
As so many factors with the bike were changed in one go its made it hard to pin point where the problem is, as we talked about on the phone the options are to take steps backwards, a process of elimination. Imo I do not think the chain is the cause of the problem, wheel alingments is perfect as I check them with a caliper to be 100%, I think geom may have some role to play so you/we need to re-check the setting (ride height etc) of the rear shock, also the gearing your running should as we said give more room under the chain when under load, the chain should not be forced into the chain runner under load or by now it will have eaten its way into it and the arm. The golden rule with set up is only change one thing at a time, shame that rule was broken from the start, but in our defence with the items being fitted and the brands involved I did not have a problem with doing all the mods in one go. We will find the cause and I bet its small! Arthur.
I've had loads of 520 chain converstions with no issues, If you have tried different wheels it has to the the chain, I know its a silly question, but is the front sprocket on the right way?
Yep, everything on the right way. I have a new TTX shock in there too... but really?? Ohlins? you would have thought that would be the benchmark for quality - and no, i havnt just set everything to 'hard'!
It could be the rear shock is too soft mate, on my 07 model one of my mates behind me said while going through a very fast sweeper 130+ he noticed the rear was moving in an up and down motion, Next time out after adjusting the rear same corner I had no issues. Or another idea could be to run it up on the paddock stands to see if anything is amiss
Normally is the case that it is something small and guaranteed to always be the last thing you check. Well it is with me anyway ha ha
Solved. 520 pitch chain and sprockets swapped back to stock. We had 2 front sprockets (AFAM) and they both didnt seem to sit right and they cause the chain to be pulled in and out from the bike. I'm assuming its something to do with those particular parts together, rather than 520 pitch in general. I'm deciding weather to keep stock pitch or try another manufacturer so will let you know progress. Just happy that we bloody fixed it!
