Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[RED-DOG]

Zen and the art of learn as you go motorcycle maintenance.



My C90 was making a whiney noise at low speeds, (Yes, I know it only does low speeds) it sounded like an old car reversing.

I adjusted the clutch but that didn't help so I decided to take the chain guard off and check the chain tension.

Click to see full-size image.

According to Google there should be about an inch of movement in the chain at the most floppy part. I measured mine and there was about three inches.

Click to see full-size image.

I tried to adjust it by moving the rear wheel backwards like the you do on a pushbike, but it was already back as far as it would go, so I decided to take the chain off and shorten it by removing a link. To get the chain off the front sprocket I had to remove the generator cowling, scary stuff if you haven't done it before, I was afraid of tearing a gasket or having spring loaded bits fly out.

Click to see full-size image.

[booder]

You may find this useful at some point.

http://www.c90club.co.uk/

[RED-DOG]

You may find this useful at some point.

http://www.c90club.co.uk/

Cheers Boo, I found it the other day. It is useful.

[RED-DOG]

After a lot of fannying about and worrying about undoing the wrong thing, I finally got the chain off.

Click to see full-size image.

Since the chain was stretched so much, I decided to check the sprockets. I'm not sure how much wear is tolerable so I took photographs of both and showed them to a bloke in a motorcycle shop.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

He said the front one was OK but the rear one was knackered and recommended I replace both and fit a new chain.

I ordered the new bits, (surprisingly cheap at 35 quid?) and asked him if it would be alright to shorten the old chain and use it until the new parts arrive next week. he said it was so that's what I decided to do.

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Shortening the chain was easy, but undoing the right hand side adjuster was a real barsteward. The nut had stripped the threads in the middle of the bolt and I couldn't back it off enough, so I had to remove the back wheel so that I could slip the axle out, which is easier said than done, especially if you try to pull it out the wrong side.


Eventually I got the adjuster off, then it was a simple job to clamp it in the vice and cut through the nut with a junior hacksaw.

Click to see full-size image.

In this pic you can see where the threads had been stripped on the bolt.

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[RED-DOG]

I fitted a new nut from my private collection, slipped it back on to the axle, and then pushed the axle back through the wheel. I had to get Mrs Red to help at this point because I didn't have enough hands to hold the wheel, the axle and the spacer that goes between the chassis and the hub.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

Well it's all in one piece again and it no longer makes a whiney noise. (which is more than can be said for me).

When the new bits arrive, I have to do it all over again.

Click to see full-size image.

[booder]

Good work Tom.

[RED-DOG]

Good work Tom.

It's a good job I'm not doing it for a living. It took me bloody ages.

[booder]

Good work Tom.

It's a good job I'm not doing it for a living. It took me bloody ages.

But you get an enormous amount of self satisfaction from doing it yourself.

[Mohican]

Not only will frequent chain maintenance ensure your mighty steed runs better, it will extend the life of your chain and sprockets. Every 500 miles if you ride frequently the chain tension should be checked and the chain cleaned and lubed. I use WD40 to clean mine and a chain wax to lube it. Chain wax is preferable to chain oil as it's resistant to being flung off, thereby keeping your chain lubed longer and your bike cleaner. I used to commute in all weathers on my motorcycle, sometimes starting at 0500hrs and when it was wet, I kept a small can of wax under my seat and I'd just spray the part of the chain i could see. After i'd ridden home,I'd repeat. I'd keep this up the whole week of shifts thereby ensuring that the whole chain was sprayed over the course of the week. Then on my days off, I'd clean and relube and repeat the process on the next set of shifts. The above process should see you good on your little jaunts around the UK. Also, the notches on the swing arm are for a rough guide only and I use a steel rule from the same point on both sides of the swingarm to measure the distance to the notch on the adjuster itself. A more accurate way of doing it. If you have verniers, even better. Will help the wheel run true. Sorry for rambling on, hope you enjoy your steed of steel and hopefully you'll post some pics of your travels.

[RED-DOG]

Not only will frequent chain maintenance ensure your mighty steed runs better, it will extend the life of your chain and sprockets. Every 500 miles if you ride frequently the chain tension should be checked and the chain cleaned and lubed. I use WD40 to clean mine and a chain wax to lube it. Chain wax is preferable to chain oil as it's resistant to being flung off, thereby keeping your chain lubed longer and your bike cleaner. I used to commute in all weathers on my motorcycle, sometimes starting at 0500hrs and when it was wet, I kept a small can of wax under my seat and I'd just spray the part of the chain i could see. After i'd ridden home,I'd repeat. I'd keep this up the whole week of shifts thereby ensuring that the whole chain was sprayed over the course of the week. Then on my days off, I'd clean and relube and repeat the process on the next set of shifts. The above process should see you good on your little jaunts around the UK. Also, the notches on the swing arm are for a rough guide only and I use a steel rule from the same point on both sides of the swingarm to measure the distance to the notch on the adjuster itself. A more accurate way of doing it. If you have verniers, even better. Will help the wheel run true. Sorry for rambling on, hope you enjoy your steed of steel and hopefully you'll post some pics of your travels.

Thanks.  All advice gratefully received.

I didn't trust the notches either. I spent ages fiddling about. In the end I measured from the center of the swingarm bolts to the center of the axle.

[atdc21]

Alright then Tom ?     Nice to see a kid with a new toy     good work with the spanners.

[atdc21]

oh, cant believe you wouldn't think that rear sprocket was anything but fu%"*d !

[Mohican]

I fitted a new nut from my private collection, slipped it back on to the axle, and then pushed the axle back through the wheel. I had to get Mrs Red to help at this point because I didn't have enough hands to hold the wheel, the axle and the spacer that goes between the chassis and the hub.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

Either put your toes under the wheel or one of the wedges you use to chock your little van on it's travels and this will make the job easier.