2002 vf750c

bobbalee · October 15, 2018, 08:24:43 PM

Hello all, new member here. I just got a magna v4. It has 40k miles. I hope you experienced
owners can answer some questions for me.
When starting out on a ride all seems well, but after getting warmed up it seems to have some slack in the drive train in 1st and 2nd gears. Most noticeable when I let off the gas then give it gas and it seems like some slack has to be taken up before it responds. There is a sort of clunk when it grabs. Any ideas anyone?

Jerry G Turner · October 15, 2018, 09:23:08 PM

Not sure if I understand the slack meaning, but take a look at the chain and make sure it is adjusted correctly with 40,000 miles it might need to be replaced.

TLRam1 · October 15, 2018, 09:56:56 PM

Jerry mentioned chain to check, also is your clutch slipping?

bobbalee · October 16, 2018, 12:12:08 AM

I checked the chain, and it looks to be in good shape, and the slack is good. The clutch doesn't slip. I get 75 mph at 5k rpm, and it will try to jump out from under me if I pop the clutch. (I'm not in the habit of doing that)
I did notice when looking at the chain adjustment bolts that the plates the bolts go through are marked "up", but the word "up" is on the bottom on both of them. I coudn't see that causing any trouble, it just seemed odd on a bike that appears to be well cared for.
As to slack, I call it that because it makes a noise that sounds and feels like a slippage akin to a bicycle when you are coasting and start pedaling again. The noise is hard to hear due to the exhaust noise, but is more pronounced on the right side.
As stated the bike seems well cared for, the oil is new, the chain lubed etc.
It doesn't do it in 3rd gear, I have tried to cause it to.
It is perplexing but I don't think it will leave me walking. I just like things to work as they should.
I've put about 600 miles on it and really like it.

hootmon · October 16, 2018, 05:32:35 AM

Did you check your sprockets for broken teeth?
Ticking sound??? Is it ONLY when you are rolling, or can you hear it when idling.. Clutch in, Clutch out in Neutral?
Rear wheel raised and rotating the rear tire, any odd noise?
Chain is adjusted, but are there tight spots in the chain?
Sorry for all the questions, but trying to narrow this down..

bobbalee · October 16, 2018, 09:16:48 AM

Rear sprocket has no broken teeth.
No ticking
No noise with tire raised in or out of gear
When I had it jacked up I checked the chain tension and looked for any links that looked abnormal, lubed the chain a little since it was handy.
Since I turned the wheel by hand I thought I could have felt missing teeth if there were any.
Questions mean you are trying to help which I appreciate.
The only time it happens is in gear when I let off the gas and then give it gas. It's like some slack gets taken up like several missing teeth but that would be pretty obvious I think.

TLRam1 · October 16, 2018, 02:42:58 PM

Quote from: hootmon on October 16, 2018, 05:32:35 AM
Did you check your sprockets for broken teeth?

This is a good one, don't know why I didn't think of that, mine HAD this same issue not long ago. The culprit was the counter-shaft sprocket but it did not do it when letting off the gas. Mine was jumping the teeth on the sprocket.

Wonder if your cushions/isolators are crumbling in your rear wheel, bearing issue? Rear suspension axle? That would make your swing arm twitch a bit when you take of with more torque in lower gears, I think you would feel it more than you are talking about. I had a swing arm axle snap on me, the whole back end is loose, if you kick the tire it moves everything. Is the motor buttoned up tight to the frame, broken welds?

bobbalee · October 16, 2018, 08:18:47 PM

When I bought it the rear tire needed replacement. I would think the shop guys would notice any problems like that. But I will check those things. Thanks.

hootmon · October 16, 2018, 09:05:34 PM

Cushion isolaters (Yeah, we will go with that name).. Was my thought too by the description..
I wouldn't worry about the upside down adjustment plate, I've had mine upside down before, I don't think it really makes a difference.
Nobody is thinking timing chain.. I know usually the adjuster spring breaks and things get loud in the motor, but any chance it is just not pushing quite hard enough causing some slap making the ticking sound.???
Anybody close to bobbalee to take a listen and maybe a test ride??? He is in Kaufman County, isn't Greg near there???

bobbalee · October 17, 2018, 08:13:21 AM

There is no sound until I let off the gas and then accelerate, and it doesn't come from the wheel I don't think. The missing sprocket teeth was my first thought, but don't think so after moving the rear wheel through several revolutions by hand and watching and listening to it in first gear while jacked up. I don't know enough about the gears to know if in some way the low gears have some way of slipping. Like I said it only does it after reaching operating temperature. I live in a rural area 2 miles from the highway with 7 90 degree turns Just doesn't do it on the way out, but coming home it does. Perplexing to me.

TLRam1 · October 17, 2018, 09:30:13 PM

Quote from: hootmon on October 16, 2018, 09:05:34 PM
Cushion isolaters (Yeah, we will go with that name).. Was my thought too by the description..
I wouldn't worry about the upside down adjustment plate, I've had mine upside down before, I don't think it really makes a difference.
Nobody is thinking timing chain.. I know usually the adjuster spring breaks and things get loud in the motor, but any chance it is just not pushing quite hard enough causing some slap making the ticking sound.???
Anybody close to bobbalee to take a listen and maybe a test ride??? He is in Kaufman County, isn't Greg near there???

The upside down adjustment plate is not an issue, the bottom has a small hole to drain water out of the swing arm.

"Cushion isolaters" yeah I didn't want to look up what the real name was.

The CS sprocket on mine was not missing teeth, the chain was jumping a tooth.

"Kaufman County" Greg is real close by, I don't think I have his number or know if he wants to jump in on this. I live in Allen and could take a look if it can be replicated easy enough. May be other who live on the south side of Dallas.

There is a ride scheduled Oct. 27th to Kilgore for a museum visit if you are interested, a couple of us could look at it there if you trust the bike to go the distance.

bobbalee · October 18, 2018, 09:11:08 PM

I don't know if this is an actual problem that would put me on foot or not.
Kaufman is on Hwy. 175. I am not far off IH20. My other bike is belt driven so there is no real adjustment like a chain drive. The shop in Forney that changed my tire I think would have the chain adjustment correct. They would surely tell me of anything that would mean more work for them.
Any one would be welcome to ride it to see what it feels and sounds like, all it needs is to be warmed up.

TLRam1 · October 19, 2018, 02:22:50 PM

If you want I can send Greg a PM and see if he is available to look at it or you can drive to Allen and I will take a look, you may drive it to a local shop and let them drive the bike to see what they think.

bobbalee · October 19, 2018, 04:02:05 PM

If Greg is in this county I would like to see what he thinks.

I appreciate your offer, but after working in Dallas for years I now stay on this side of the river.
The traffic in a car is bad enough and I'm really tired of it.

Local shops are few around here, but I may find someone to have a look at it.

Thanks to you and the others for your time and help.

TLRam1 · October 20, 2018, 05:23:30 AM

Okay I sent Greg a PM, he has not been on since 2014, he has has health / back issues I think that has prevented him from riding. I don't know if he is able to ride this down his street or not or if he has an interest.

Greg is really good with the 3rd gen Magnas, it would be good if he could at least just look at it. If not we will have to see who else might be available. There is this guy, you don't have to go through Dallas and you could turn it into a nice trip, he lives in Florida!

Let's give Greg a bit.