I Have a popping noise that sounds like it is coming from the front of my 95 magna. I thought maybe wheel bearing I have jacked it up and spinning the front wheel I hear nothing I have also cleaned adjusted and lubed the chain seems a little better but I still here the popping doesn't matter if cornering or going straight still hear it not all the time but ever once in a while. Any ideals on what else I should look for. Thanks
Jerry - Does the noise change if you upshift/ downshift? Trying to isolate between the motor and other rolling parts.
If it is an older chain with tight spots, that can make a noise.
I had an issue with my speedo sensor once On the front wheel that made a noise ( but you should have noticed that when you spun the front wheel)
If you down shift and the noise stays the same, you know it's not the motor, if it does change, then you know it's in the motor side..
Upshifting or downshifting doesn't seem to make any difference
I forgot that you owned a 95 too. ;-)
- Would you say the popping sound is mechanical or metallic in nature?
- You don't hear it all the time so does that mean that the bike has to hot for it to happen? Or will it do while the engine is warming up?
- Have you noticed if it starts popping after braking or some other action?
- Have you checked the steering head bearings?
- Is it possible that that wheel bearing needs to be under a load in order to pop?
If it didn't sound metallic or metal on metal then I would suggest checking that your plugs were all tight and the front exhaust header bolts were snugged. But if those were leaking then it would probably make a regular, recurring noise and yours is intermittent.
It is hard to explain more like something hitting plastic that's why I thought maybe the tire hitting the fender or chain hitting chain guard how do you insure that the chain is alinged right ?
Chain possibilitiesQuote from: Jerry G Turner on September 29, 2016, 12:57:42 PM
how do you insure that the chain is alinged right ?
On my chain drive bikes I usually go by the alignment marks on swingarms to make sure the same number of marks are present on each side.
But when I install a tire, I also double-check alignment too by using a flexible measuring tape (like one used in sewing) and measure to a common point on the tire. On the 3rd gen Magna I measure from the back part of the swing arm brace that's just in front of the rear tire to the where the sidewall of the tire begins. I check each side to see that the measurement is nearly the same.
If you haven't already, lift the back tire up a spin the back wheel while you watch the chain. If it bounces unnecessarily you may have a stiff spot. You can take the chrome cover off the front sprocket and watch as well. Since that's the tightest spot for the chain, that's probably the area that aggravates a stiff spot.
Front fender possibilitiesThe front tire is supposed to be a 120/80 17 but I've seen other sizes put on the front before. You might want to check your tire size to make sure you have the correct size. Maybe it's rubbing as it gets hotter and expanding?
I feel like I'm on the Car Talk Radio Show and I have a case of "Male Answer Syndrome", where I'm rambling on long enough to come up with something that's a plausible answer. :grin:
when I spin the back wheel the chain does bounce, what is the solution replace the chain?
How many miles are on this chain?
StickingThere's usually a little bounce in the chain, especially as there's more slack in it. What you want to watch out for is a little bounciness followed by a big bounce. That might be a sticky link in the chain. In that case you might could just try lubing the sticking spot a bit more.
Adjustment?The chain may just need to be adjusted if it has too much slack in it. I once got my bike back from the dealership after a rear tire installation and I could hear the chain hitting metal as I rolled off the throttle. Turned out they didn't bother setting the appropriate chain slack. That was the last time I went to that Honda dealership for service.
Anyway, the owners manual covers how to check the chain slack but in case you don't have that I'll give you the quick run down.
- Put the bike on the side stand under its full weight.
- Find a spot in the middle of the chain on the bottom side of it as it runs back to the wheel. This is where you want to check the slack.
- Using a measuring tape or a short ruler, push up on the chain in the middle and see how much it moves up before you run out of slack. On the Magna you want it to be within 7/8" to 1 1/8" inch. Otherwise you're too tight or too loose. With a regular carpenter's measuring tape I just set it on the floor and roll the tape upwards so that the 1" mark is at the bottom of the chain. Then I push the chain upward with my finger and see if it goes past the end of the measuring tape.
If it has too much slack then you may just need to adjust the chain to tighten it.
Does one of your swing arms (usually the left one) have a little sticker at the back near the chain adjustment indicators that shows when you should replace the chain? As you move the rear wheel backward to tighten the chain the indicators will eventually land in the "replace chain" zone on that little sticker.
Chain replacement It's not particularly hard but you really need a chain tool to break the old chain and then rivet the new one back on the bike. Also it's generally recommended that you replace the sprockets at the same time.
Sounds like a job for the upcoming wrench session at Allen's place. ;-)
Thanks Jesse, I wish I could come but have plans next weekend. I will follow your advise and hopefully find the solution. Once again thanks.
Let me know if you need me to record a video or something and good luck.