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Shiny spot on my header from chain rubbing

Started by eesnas, October 10, 2009, 07:37:39 PM

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eesnas

October 10, 2009, 07:37:39 PM Last Edit: October 10, 2009, 07:39:12 PM by eesnas
When I first bought my bike (used) it had some wear on the header from slight contact with the chain. During my first round of mods I had the header or chain adjusted to resolve the issue... now that I took my headers apart and put them back together the chain is apparently making contact with the pipe again, I do not believe it is constant, is this a serious issue or can I ride around for the rest of the season (1 month) like this?

Ducatl

#1
October 10, 2009, 11:34:39 PM
Just so the obvious isn't overlooked...you do adjust your chain often and to the factory slack specification?

I don't really understand how it would rub unless your headers have been bent or your chain is way out of adjustment....

That said, I doubt I'd ride far with that issue, broken chains can be pretty nasty....

rockaduc

#2
October 11, 2009, 04:58:10 AM
Post-up some pics of the issue.  That might help us trouble shoot this thing.
If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you.  If you can't see Chuck Norris, you may be only seconds away from death.

eesnas

#3
October 12, 2009, 03:50:48 PM
Quote from: Ducatl on October 10, 2009, 11:34:39 PM
Just so the obvious isn't overlooked...you do adjust your chain often and to the factory slack specification?

I don't really understand how it would rub unless your headers have been bent or your chain is way out of adjustment....

That said, I doubt I'd ride far with that issue, broken chains can be pretty nasty....

Actually, I do not adjust my chain, mainly out of ignorance thus far... Perhaps I should give that a look. I will try to grab some pics of it soon.

rockaduc

#4
October 12, 2009, 05:04:15 PM
Ummm...yeah.  You might want to learn how to measure/adjust your chain.  It's very easy and could potentially save your  [bacon].
If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you.  If you can't see Chuck Norris, you may be only seconds away from death.

eesnas

#5
October 12, 2009, 06:02:46 PM
Quote from: rockaduc on October 12, 2009, 05:04:15 PM
Ummm...yeah.  You might want to learn how to measure/adjust your chain.  It's very easy and could potentially save your  [bacon].

I am gonna go take a look at this thing right now in the garage... I'll bring the camera and post pics tonight. I will take a look in my owner's manual to find out the adjustment process, or feel free to post it here for me  ;)

ducpainter

#6
October 12, 2009, 06:09:02 PM
Quote from: eesnas on October 12, 2009, 06:02:46 PM
I am gonna go take a look at this thing right now in the garage... I'll bring the camera and post pics tonight. I will take a look in my owner's manual to find out the adjustment process, or feel free to post it here for me  ;)
It's really easy.

You need the appropriate wrenches and a tape measure.

Do you have tools?

keep in mind...the fact that your chain is touching the header is not an indication that the chain will self destruct IMO.
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eesnas

#7
October 12, 2009, 06:13:26 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on October 12, 2009, 06:09:02 PM
It's really easy.

You need the appropriate wrenches and a tape measure.

Do you have tools?

keep in mind...the fact that your chain is touching the header is not an indication that the chain will self destruct IMO.

Everything but the tape measure... I looked it up in the owner's manual, seems easy enough. To be honest, I agree with you that it will last through the end of the season with no issues but I guess I might as well take a look at it. More to come soon (plus this gives me a good excuse for a late night "test ride"  [moto] )

eesnas

#8
October 12, 2009, 06:35:52 PM Last Edit: October 12, 2009, 06:39:33 PM by eesnas


So, looks like my chain has about a full inch of slack, maybe a tiny bit less, I believe the owner's manual says it should be 25-27mm, according to an online calculator 25mm=.9842272750 etc etc of an inch, so basically I think it's about right.

I do believe I might be due for a new chain anyways, I am right about to hit 5000 miles, I assume it can be adjusted at that time...

I took one look at the bolt that I need to loosen and realized I don't have a wrench that big, I think I should be good to just ride it out for another month, no? I don't really ride much this time of year anyways and this has happened before on my bike for a while. It was perfectly fine until I pulled the headers off  [bang] ah, at least it's October  [laugh]

I see many people here with clean chains, I need to learn what products are good to clean and lubricate. I am often times afraid to use chemicals on my chain to clean it as I have heard parts are plastic and can be damaged, I have used wd40 and chain lube on it but not much else, I guess that's another topic at a later date though...

Ducatl

#9
October 12, 2009, 06:38:02 PM
A properly adjusted chain should make the bike feel a lot nicer in on/off throttle situations especially when you're just taking off from a stop. ;D


I don't think the chain is ruined by any means but riding with a super loose chain might grant you some really accelerated wear on it.

Ducatl

#10
October 12, 2009, 06:43:33 PM
Ooooh, for some reason I thought the chain was rubbing the pipe that connects to the left-side can.

I got 10k out of my stock chain, if it's been decently taken care of I doubt it needs replacing at 5.  Signs that it might need replacing are sticky or bent links that no longer move freely or if you've just run out of adjustment.

My guess is that when you reinstalled the exhaust you may have twisted the vertical pipe slightly and decreased its clearance to the chain? if you can loosen the exhaust bolts you might be able to twist it slightly so it's no longer touching.

alternatively the rear wheel is out of alignment but I would think it would be pretty noticeable if it was that far out.

eesnas

#11
October 12, 2009, 07:51:46 PM
Actually it has plenty of room, it's really not very close to the pipe, somehow it must just rattle enough to make contact with that spot and make it a little shiny... Eh, I guess it's just clean spot  [bacon]  ;D

Speeddog

#12
October 12, 2009, 08:00:34 PM
How 'not very close' is it?

1/4"?

1/2"?
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eesnas

#13
October 12, 2009, 08:50:24 PM
Just off memory alone I'd say 1/2 inch, of course if I move the chain with my hand I can make it just touch the pipe... I should measure that tomorrow. I am kinda surprised no other 620 owners here dropping in to mention this, I would figure the shiny spot on the header near the chain is somewhat common...

causeofkaos

#14
October 13, 2009, 07:25:00 AM
i might sound like a dumb ass but does the chain get closer to the pipe with rider weight on the bike? just a thought i dont know?
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