Bike repair and Motorcycle non-repair

Over this last weekend it was time to get some work done on my bicycle. I needed to put on a new chain. I had over 5000 miles on that chain and it was stretched a little bit. I had been having some noise while riding as well, and a bit of a catching feeling ever so often. Apparently you are supposed to change a chain every 2000-3000 miles so I was well past that.

Well, I got the new chain and got the old chain off. I measured up the new chain on the bike using the method that Park Tool suggests online (I really like their maintenance videos). I cut the new chain and was getting ready to install it when, I realized I had cut it 1 link short. I was so irritated.

While trying to determine what do do (not wanting to buy another $45 chain) I took a closer look at the jockey gears as well (the 2 small gears that are apart of the derailleur mechanism), and they looked pretty worn out as well. So, I decided that since I needed to do something about a chain I would get new jockey gears as well. I called around and found the gears, and the person there said to just add in a master link to the chain and make it longer. So, that is what I did.

After too much time for a simple chain change I got it all back together and the next day I went for a ride. I felt like I was working harder to maintain a good speed, but when I got home I found that I actually had a higher average speed than normal. And today when I was riding with my daughter to school I could tell the bike was running smoother and quieter. So, a good fix.

Now for the not so good fix (lack of fix).

My motorcycle started making an odd noise a few weeks ago after I had changed the oil in the case and the drive shaft. Once the bike got hot, was going at a decent speed, and I disengaged the clutch (pulled in the lever) I would hear a noise and feel a vibration in my butt. Let up on the clutch and it would go away, go slow enough and it would go away, bike at idle no noise. So, I started troubleshooting. The first thing I did was change the case oil. I had decided to put in synthetic this time for the first time after much online reading. But I had also heard that the bike doesn’t like synthetic. So, I swapped that out. No change. Then I changed the drive shaft oil from 75-90 to 75-140. No change. I checked for loose nuts or bolts, I bled the clutch, and no change.

So, this weekend I drained the drive shaft oil again and tried cleaning that area out with some acetone to get it good and clean. After doing that I let it dry out and then added oil again and took it for another ride. The noise was still there. I was able to reach my hand around to where the drive shaft connects to the engine and I could feel the vibration there. I then used my foot to slide along that area while the noise was being made and the only place I felt it was at that connection point. I couldn’t feel it along the swing arm or down at the rear differential.

I am pretty sure the issue is somewhere in either the U-joint or the Bevel Gear assembly. If it is the U-joint then the entire drive shaft must be replaced. If it is the Bevel Gear assembly then it could be much worse. I am at the point that I am going to have to take it somewhere to get diagnosed and then decide what to do. If it is really bad it may be more cost effective to sell the bike and buy something else. I really like the bike and that would sadden me, but I also have to think practically about the investment. But I won’t know until I take it somewhere. The two places I am going to consider are both closed today (Monday) so I will hopefully be able to call tomorrow and get an initial idea of timing and cost for a diagnosis. (grumble)

And this means I have no motorcycle to ride to and from school. That means a longer commute (up to 50 minutes), and while I enjoy driving I don’t enjoy sitting in traffic. Maybe I will have to take a close look at my old honda and see if I can get it running safely and reliably again…