Shaking Chain

[jp2magna]

So I have my Magna up on stands and idling in gear while oiling the chain. Not the safest method, I know, but a great way to oil it, nonetheless.

The play in the chain is about what it is supposed to be (just over an inch), but I notice that the chain goes through a violent looking shake every 3 seconds or so.

What could be causing this? Is this normal? Is the sproket not lined up very well? Is there a frozen link in the chain? How do I troubleshoot this?

[Charles S Otwell]

I had a frozen link on my chain found it by putting the bike on the jack and rolling the chain slowly as the link rolled off the rear sprocket it stayed kinked in stead of straighting out like the other links. My bad link was the master link that had been bradded on , I replaced it with the clip style link and have never had a problem since. I  would also check the alignment you mentioned. good luck..

[drkngas]

Do you have a violent shake or consistent noise when there is a load on the chain?

[Smoked U]

Do you have a violent shake or consistent noise when there is a load on the chain?

AAHHH. Here is the key.

You are observing the chain's behavior while the rear wheel is spinning in the air under no load. You may not have a problem at all. It's probably a resonant vibration.

Go ahead and check the alignment just for grins and look for a frozen link.

[jp2magna]

I take it a frozen link is just that: a link that is locked up, right? I'll look for one.

I'll also double check my alignment, although I was the one who originally aligned it whenever I replaced the back tire (took the wheel off, had the new Metzler mounted, then put the wheel back on). If I screwed it up once, what do you bet I'll screw it up again?

[Smoked U]

If I screwed it up once, what do you bet I'll screw it up again?

Well, let's hope that's not the case, otherwise we will be forced to make you sell your Magna and banish you to the land of Harley Davidson owners.

[Magniac]

Now, that's just cold, man!

[Len Averyt]

While in the air running, Which is the way i lube my chain as well, put a small amount of friction on the rear tire to cause a drag.
That always stops the resonant bouncing due to the rubber cushions in the rear wheel for me and allows me to check the chain as I'm lubing it.
BTW I use two ratchet straps to secure to bike to my cycle lift so it doesn't pop or bounce off. This makes it much safer. Do not rev the engine just let it idle, thats all that is needed.

[Curtis_Valk]

While in the air running, Which is the way i lube my chain as well, put a small amount of friction on the rear tire to cause a drag.
That always stops the resonant bouncing due to the rubber cushions in the rear wheel for me and allows me to check the chain as I'm lubing it.
BTW I use two ratchet straps to secure to bike to my cycle lift so it doesn't pop or bounce off. This makes it much safer. Do not rev the engine just let it idle, thats all that is needed.

Keep your trigger finger away fromt he sprocket, I don't want you having any excuses when I out shoot you!! LOL

Curtis