Chain wear / noise issue

[K3V1N]

I have what I think a chain wear issue but I'm not sure. I replaced my chain about 8000 miles ago but on a recent trip people riding on my left side said they could hear a noise coming from my bike that could be a wheel bearing or chain. I know before I left I had started to get a tight spot when setting the tension and I think the noise got quieter after I really lubed it. I also took the cover off and it looks like the outside of the front sprocket was warn.

I guess my real question is did I do something wrong to make the chain wear out that quick or is something off that the outside of the front sprocket is wear? I make sure the tension is set and on the loose side. I use a straight edge, measure the swing arm and check the marks on the adjuster.

Is there anyone else out there that has had chain noise and or had a chain wear out in 8k?

Thanks

[Howie]

A photo of the front sprocket would be helpful.

Did you free up the frozen link?  Inspect the O rings?  How is the front sprocket retainer?

[K3V1N]

There doesn't appear to be a frozen link just a tighter spot when checking tension. I set the tension at the tight spot but that means the rest of it is out of spec. I will take a photo tonight.

[K3V1N]

OK, I finally got time to look at the chain again.

I put the bike up and checked the front and rear wheel for play. I didn't feel anything. I spun the wheels the best that I could with the chain and brakes still in place and everything seemed the same.

The chain does have a tight spot and it does have a link or two that has a lot of play. I will attach the front sprocket photo. The photo was taken before I cleaned it and relubed after a trip.

I still hear a rhythmic cho,  cho,  cho. No it doesn't sound like a train Almost like the rotor making a little uneven noise when you first roll out of the drive way.

Also the front sprocket wiggles around a little but I think it is suppose to do that?



Again I have about 8k on the chain and sprockets. I'm guessing it is time but want to know why they wear so fast. I keep my chain on the loose side and am pretty good about keeping it lubed.

[Speeddog]

First generic 'tech' question, what year and model of Monster, and how many miles on it?

Did you replace the chain and sprockets as a *set* 8k miles ago?

Aluminum rear sprocket, or steel?

That's a lot of wear on the side of the sprocket, I suspect you've got an alignment issue.

Yes, the front sprockets have a bit of wiggle.

If you want the driveline to last longer:
Replace chain and sprockets as a set.
Get a 15t front and a larger rear to keep your same gearing.
Use a steel rear sprocket.
Go up to a 525.
Lube the chain more often: in that pic, it's dry.

[K3V1N]

First generic 'tech' question, what year and model of Monster, and how many miles on it? 2006 M620 with 20k and 8k since new chain and sprockets - I do take some some longer trips could 8 hours of highway riding stretch it quicker - I try and spray my chain when on trips every other day

Did you replace the chain and sprockets as a *set* 8k miles ago? Yes, drive systems steel 14 front 48 rear and a EK chain

Aluminum rear sprocket, or steel? Both sprockets are steel

That's a lot of wear on the side of the sprocket, I suspect you've got an alignment issue. Maybe it is time for one of those alignment lazers, I already measure the swing arm, do my best with a straight edge and triple check the marks

Yes, the front sprockets have a bit of wiggle.

If you want the driveline to last longer: How long do chains last for you?
Replace chain and sprockets as a set.
Get a 15t front and a larger rear to keep your same gearing.
Use a steel rear sprocket.
Go up to a 525.
Lube the chain more often: in that pic, it's dry.

[Howie]

I suspect the short life may be linked with chain maintenance.  In that photo your chain is not only dry, but full of surface rust.  DO check your sprocket alignment.  Check for wear on the retainer plate and that you are running the correct offset sprocket.  The front sprocket shouldn't be worn like that.  You also didn't say which EK chain.  An SRO will not last as long as an SRX.

You might want to view this video by Chris Kelley of California Cycleworks:

Ca Cycleworks is also a great place to order your new chain and sprockets.

I get over 20K on DID X ring 520 with steel AFAM sprockets.

[K3V1N]

Thanks again for the feedback, it is a SRX I got it from ether monster parts of CA cycle.

Yes the chain does look pretty bad in that photo. The shot was taken after being on the road for 5 days and lubing it twice but just spraying it and not wiping it down. I also did a 500 mile day on the highway my last day. Now it is all nice a clean. I used moterex clean and lube on it. When you say check the retailer plate for wear, what wear should I look for do they bend and make the front sprocket move around more?

I feel like I adjust it every 1000 to 1500 miles and try and leave it on the loose side. 27mm to 29mm at the tightest spot.

Maybe it is the highway runs after trips. I put on a lot of miles and loosen and dry out the chain then ride home and it really takes a beating. I guess I have to be better on trips about lube and adjustment?

I don't mind replacing it I just want to try and figure out what I'm doing wrong.

[bikepilot]

If it needs adjusting that often its shot.  Use a DID 520ZVM2 or ERV3 chain for best life - they can take the abuse.  Even running in sand/silt and the sea of cortez (oops) the ERV3 on my XR650R (with no cush drive so it really hammers chains) doesn't need adjusting that often.

[Howie]

If there is wear on the retainer plate it will be obvious on inspection.  When the retainer bolts to the sprocket it fits into a groove on the output shaft.  The plate should go into the groove and not be worn in that area.  In your photo yours looks OK, but check anyway.  Offset looks fine too.  You do need to find the cause of the sprocket wear though. 

[K3V1N]

Thanks again for the feedback every little bit helps. I went over every link last night. They are all free and don't have too much play. But I do have a area of maybe 4 links that is tighter than the rest. Right now I'm going with not enough lube or too loose on some high mile days I'm also thinking maybe I'm listening too hard. It does seem to be wearing fast but maybe most people wouldn't hear it and just run another 5k before it gets worse?

[Speeddog]

As bikepilot said, if it needs frequent adjustment, it's shot.

IMO, that chain wouldn't last another 5k miles under any circumstances.

[K3V1N]

So I was just going though emails to see how long of a chain I needed and found my email from CA cycle when I did the chain last time. That was at 11k so I have 10k on this chain. That makes me feel a little better. I'm also wondering if because the 620 is maxed out gear wise 14 in front and 48 in back if that could put more strain on the chain than say a 800 with a 15 front and 42?

[K3V1N]

Update:

I rode about 1000 miles since my last post and last night replaced my chain and sprockets.

DID 520 chain and steal sprockets from CA (they where awesome like always) I found two things interesting.

The first is I had the light weight sprocket on the front and this time I got the solid one. When the two where on the table next to each other the teeth of the light weight seemed a little high off the table because there is a lip on the back.( I wish I took a photo) I wonder if that could have made the front of that sprocket wear a little more because it would have pushed the sprocket out a little more since the over all height was the same on both?

Also I had about a 6mm difference in tension from the tight spot and loose on the old chain. After installing the new chain I checked every link and again have about the same difference. Has anyone had tight and loose spots on a brand new chain? I will check it again tonight. The other thing interesting is that it is only tight in 2 spots which I things rules out any other parts because the tight spots doesn't sync up with a spot on the sprockets. At least one of the spots are always the same spot on the chain 5 links in front of the master.

Finally I have a question I have asked before but always question myself on. The ducati books show the measurement from the top to the bottom of the links. Does everyone measure it that way and do you pull down and push up or just push up? I have other bikes were the books show measuring at the rivet but those set the slack at 15 to 20mm.

I use a adjustable wrench that has mm markings when adjusting my chain. I set it close to 27mm I have the center point between the sprockets marked on my swing arm and at that point I pull the chain down brace the wrench at that point against the stand and then push up to see if slack measures 27mm.

Is there a better way that you guys use. Again moving forward I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to not wear my chain.

Thanks again for your feedback,
Kevin