Chain was too tight

[mtnairlover]

Yep, that was the final diagnosis of the "thunking" noise.

I was finally able to get my bike into the shop after a vacation and just being dang busy. At first, Mike (the owner of the shop) said he didn't hear anything, but that was when he was riding the Zed. I had to explain what I was hearing and when I was hearing it. I also had to explain the strong vibrations at 85mph which made my right hand go numb and put forearm in lots of pain.

As Mike rode the Zed at speed to feel the vibration, he realized the simplicity of the vibration problem...the chain was too tight!

Before my long-ass ride down to Durango at the end of June, I had taken the Zed to the shop to have the chain tightened and lubed. And a second time, I took it in to have the tires replaced.

Anyway, Mike loosened the chain up a bit and lubed it, since he said it was dry and voila! No more thunking noise and no more vibration.

Hallelujah!

A bit of good that came out of this problem was that Mike also said that the engine runs pretty well considering the mileage she has on her (over 42k). The fork oil needs to be changed, but the forks are fine, as well.

And that is it.

[Wrider]

You might want to have them check the bearings along the output shaft of the transmission if they over-tightened the chain that badly.

[mtnairlover]

Sigh...seriously? Ok, I will ask this shop to take a look.

[Wrider]

Or just bring it down here and I'll check it out for you!

[mtnairlover]

Or just bring it down here and I'll check it out for you!

lol...ok...CSprings, huh?

I guess it's just the idea that there's something more that could be wrong. I've had such a good time with my bike...with it not having any major or persistent problems. I think it's spoiled me in that sense...so, that's why I'm just a tad unhappy. And yes, I know it's inevitable, especially with over 42k miles on it. And I won't entertain the idea of a new bike with home-buying plans in the next year.

Anyhoo...time to make a phone call.

[Wrider]

Yeah I understand that...

[cbrjohnny]

how often are you checking/lubing your chain? i lube mine about every 400 miles...

[mtnairlover]

how often are you checking/lubing your chain? i lube mine about every 400 miles...

I do it after every ride, which could mean after 1000 miles.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Good thing that was all it was. Usually a chain will develop tight and loose spots, sometimes a tight spot will be created if you over-swage the rivet pins on the connection link. It would make sense that it would make noise if the chain was too tight if it had a typical tight spot.

It's got 13k on the chain, how do the teeth look?