place to check out my bike?

[rsoffar]

is there anywhere in dallas that could check some issues on my bike that would be cheaper than the duc dealership?
it has developed some gnarly rattling/ticking when i let off the throttle but goes away when if i pull in the clutch....

also is there anyone that could by chance help me tighten my chain? i dont have any tools or very much motorcycle knowledge.... it seems very loose to me but im really new to bikes. what effects would a loose chain have on riding my bike?? could this be the source or my noise?

[cdc]

is there anywhere in dallas that could check some issues on my bike that would be cheaper than the duc dealership?
it has developed some gnarly rattling/ticking when i let off the throttle but goes away when if i pull in the clutch....

also is there anyone that could by chance help me tighten my chain? i dont have any tools or very much motorcycle knowledge.... it seems very loose to me but im really new to bikes. what effects would a loose chain have on riding my bike?? could this be the source or my noise?

Since most of the group are out strafing the curves out in the Hill Country and unashamedly reporting how much fun they are having, it is left to me to answer your question. 

If you are in the Dallas area, Randy McCarter is fast becoming the favorite wrench of the group.  There is a lot that he can do but admits that warranty work should be left to the dealers for obvious reasons and work outside of minor adjustments during the warranty period might be best left to the dealers too.  You can however twist his arm and he won't bite. 

His rates are less than AMS and he works fast enough so that he doesn't have to repeat himself.  His clock runs slow.  His one hour is generally more than your 1 hour and he rounds down to the lower quarter.  This is obviously good for you.  He doesn't mind you asking questions while he works on your bike but then again if he has to stop to answer your questions, the clock is still ticking. 

He will teach you how to check your chain tension and if you watch him and are inclined to do so, he'll teach you how to adjust your chain as well.  He won't teach you how to mess up, that you'll have to do on your own.

PM me if you want his phone number.  Hope that helps.

cdc

[LYD]

Nicely said charles.  Randy is the way to go!!

[fastwin]

I agree, big time!

[rsoffar]

hey thanks for the reply...

the chain actually came off on me while i was riding and i got it put back on and tightened up and now the ticking and stuff is gone and it rides great again so i guess that was my problem. 

[hiero]

hey thanks for the reply...

the chain actually came off on me while i was riding and i got it put back on and tightened up and now the ticking and stuff is gone and it rides great again so i guess that was my problem. 

wow, chain came off and it didn't tear a hole in your crankcase right in front of the front sprocket??? consider yourself lucky!!! 

[Duc L'Smart]

the chain actually came off on me while i was riding

Holy Crap! You're OK?

[♣ McKraut ♣]

hey thanks for the reply...

the chain actually came off on me while i was riding and i got it put back on and tightened up and now the ticking and stuff is gone and it rides great again so i guess that was my problem. 

is it just me or is no one even more amazed that you put it back on?

[♣ McKraut ♣]

oh, and +1 for Randy of course....great guy to do business with.  he'll be tackling some wheel/tire stuff for me actually in the coming days.

[bryant8]

hey thanks for the reply...

the chain actually came off on me while i was riding and i got it put back on and tightened up and now the ticking and stuff is gone and it rides great again so i guess that was my problem. 

Wow!   

Glad to hear you're ok and not hurt after tossing the chain.  Chain adjustments/checks should be a routine pre-ride check   

[rsoffar]

yeah i really need to get my stuff together and learn about my bike.

when the chain came off i was just doing some drive bys in front of my friends house as we were trying to diagnose the problem so i want going fast or anything, glad it didnt happen on the freeway or something. as for it tearing a hole in the crankcase, it didnt even seem like it came off the front sprocket at all.. it was still set on it when i stopped the bike.

mckraut, is it a problem that i put the same chain back on? it didnt seem beat up or anything, but again im really new to bikes and i guess i would be sure how to tell if i needed a new one.

[cdc]

is it just me or is no one even more amazed that you put it back on?

if it went on easily, it can come off easily again.  It isn't like a bicycle chain were you can compress the chain guide/adjuster to refit a chain which has come off the gears. 

yeah i really need to get my stuff together and learn about my bike.

If you are new to bikes, how did you refit the chain and how did you adjust it to proper tension? 

is it a problem that i put the same chain back on? it didnt seem beat up or anything, but again im really new to bikes and i guess i would be sure how to tell if i needed a new one.

How old is the bike, chain, sprockets?  If they are less than 9K miles and were decently cared for, they might last awhile longer.  Any more and I would start saving for a new chain and sprocket for future upgrade.  Well cared for chains have had very long life spans while neglected ones have needed replacement in 9K miles.  Ask me why I know.

with the bike on a rear stand, turn the rear wheel and look for kinks in the chain.  the links tend not to straighten out quickly or evenly like they were tight.  the seals may be busted and that link may have rusted.  look at the teeth and see if they are not worn or unevenly worn.  the best guide is to look at a brand new sprocket and compare it to yours.  when very badly worn, it is obvious.

Your chain came loose but did not break.  If it broke, it would act like a whip and punch a hole in the engine case ahead of the front srocket.

Seriously, I would have the chain and sprocket checked by Randy and properly adjusted especially if you ride beyond "puttering around" speeds.

[rsoffar]

well my freinds dad was the one who helped me get it back on... he has had bikes all his life and said it didnt look damaged or anything. so i got to sit there and help and learn.

i did what you said and the chain does not kink up, and when it was off we looked over the sprockets and he said they looked fine and i didnt notice any uneven wear on them.

but i will def have it looked at. thanks for all the replys

[Duc L'Smart]

That's what we're here for 

Keep us posted!  [moto]

[cdc]

well my freinds dad was the one who helped me get it back on... he has had bikes all his life and said it didnt look damaged or anything. so i got to sit there and help and learn.

i did what you said and the chain does not kink up, and when it was off we looked over the sprockets and he said they looked fine and i didnt notice any uneven wear on them.

but i will def have it looked at. thanks for all the replys

Good to hear that.  Why was it loose to begin with?  I take it you just bought it recently.  How old is the bike, chain?

cdc