Topic: clunk clunk clunk.. Daimond master link Stretched!!!

[grumpy]

My K3 started making some nasty sounding rhythmic clunks.
hurah.
They correlate to the speed of travel (ie faster speed, faster clunks)
It's coming from somewhere in the drive train. It feels like a stiff link or a f'ed up sprocket tooth - but it isn't either. It's really noticeable if I put it in N and coast (motor running or not). I can feel it thru the frame & coming up thru the break pedal. I cannot feel it in thru the front brake.
I have:
taken the chain off & checked for stiff links
spun the R wheel and drive sprocket to check for wobbles, bent teeth, etc.
spun the R wheel while on the center stand to check for binding in the hub
taken the R wheel off & checked the hub & brake

so what's next, final drive shaft & tranny ?  

[bwaller]

Remove the chain and try running it in first or second gear again to see if you still have the problem through the gearbox. I had a single chain link go south once and it sounded familiar to your issue.

[GammaFlat]

I've heard spokes make a creak (but not really a clunk).  Recently I learned that a rear wheel with loose spokes has probably been used lots for burnouts.  Whatcha been doin'?

[IndyFour]

My 550 did that last season....ended up being too much slack in the chain.  Tightened it up and it went away.  You probably already checked that, though if you had the chain off.

[grumpy]

It feels like a frozen link - that's what I thought it was until I checked the chain. I'll recheck, tho. If it's OK then I'll try rolling it w/out a chain to check the rear hub under load.
It's not spokes. I know what that sounds like. And definitely no burnouts for me 
I'll try running the motor w/out a chain & report back.

Man I hope it's not in the tranny, like a blown bearing or something. I DO NOT have the money for a major fix this year....

[tlbranth]

A stiff link would clunk with a much lower frequency than  a missing gear tooth or some such I would think. Can you run it on the center stand and give it a listen?

[grumpy]

Found the problem

The master link is pretty stretched out - causes the chain to mis-engage the cogs.
Damn, that chain (and cogs) has less than 10,000mi on it...

There goes at least $60 

[754]

Do you mean the chain is stretched..

 If you put that chain on badly worn sprocket, it would shorten the life considerably.

[grumpy]

Nope - just the master is stretched.
The chain engages the cogs fine until the master comes around. The master is visibly longer than it should be. It causes the links behind it to want to ride up the "pushing" teeth & makes the chain tension go up til the master drops off the cog again.

[scottly]

It may not be the master has stretched, rather that the rollers on the end links of the chain are are damaged, or the tube they roll on that's pressed into the side plates, that the pins of the master go through.

[754]

Diamond also makes chain for industial use.. not nearly as strong as say an XDL Diamond  (real bike chain)

 I will bet the master GOT SWITCHED FOR A CHEAPO ONE, and pins are severly worn...

 just get a new master link.. from Diamond... for MC chain..

[mystic_1]

Guy I knew years ago (more than a bit of a dumbass) used an industrial chain master link from the hardware store on his bike once.  As I recall he found out REAL FAST how bad an idea that was. 

Grumpy, you said the chain and sprockets have less than 10k miles on them, what about the master?  Did you re-use the old one or get a new one?

Also, post pics.  I've never seen such a failure in person and I'm curious.

mystic_1

[grumpy]

The master is the one that came w/ the chain.
I'll try to get pics tomorrow after work - too dark out there right now...

[754]

 Just get it on the rear 1/2 of rear sprocket, and pull it out, pins are probably 1/2 wore thru.
 If you got a piece of wire, put it thru the chainends will hold it if you dont roll the bike.


 I am sorta thinking it either came with a bad one, or someone pulled it out, them replaced it with a black diamond cheese version.. ... sideplate should be marked

[HondaMan]

About 2 years ago I bought a Diamond Powersport (their new name for the XDL) and the dealer sent me a Diamond industrial masterlink with it. They are very different! I called the dealer and told him: he had no idea they were any different for these 'superchains'. He sent me 2 in apology, and I gave one to a friend. (I love happy endings!) 

[grumpy]

Anyone know where I can get a 530 XDL master w/out having to pay $10 S/H ?

[Duke McDukiedook]

Was that a clip or rivet master they gave you?

[grumpy]

[Duke McDukiedook]

I would recommend using a rivet master if you are going to use one.

[grumpy]

...if you are going to use one.

Is there any way NOT to use a master?

Here's a pic. The master has been in & out twice now so the clip is tweaked (and dead). Yes, it looks like it's stiff but I assure you it pivots freely. It's being held out by the tooth behind it (to the left in the photo). The links following the master are hitting the teeth "late"...

[754]

 Roll it so the master is not on the sprocket.. now at about 2 or 3 oclock..position..pull chain outward from sprocket.. how far does it move?

 If you had the master out and the pins dont show massive wear, that is likely not the problem..

[scottly]

It may not be the master has stretched, rather that the rollers on the end links of the chain are are damaged, or the tube they roll on that's pressed into the side plates, that the pins of the master go through.

[grumpy]

Roll it so the master is not on the sprocket.. now at about 2 or 3 oclock..position..pull chain outward from sprocket.. how far does it move?

 If you had the master out and the pins dont show massive wear, that is likely not the problem..

It barely pulls away - so I don't think it's total chain stretch.

I'll have to pull the master again & check it's rollers for wear. I didn't even think of that the first time it was out.

I have another chain on the way - I just hope the cogs are OK. I REALLY don't wan to replace those again after only a few thou miles.

[scottly]

Post a good picture of the sprocket with the chain off, side view, so we can see the shape of the teeth.

[Duke McDukiedook]

...if you are going to use one.

Is there any way NOT to use a master?

Here's a pic. The master has been in & out twice now so the clip is tweaked (and dead). Yes, it looks like it's stiff but I assure you it pivots freely. It's being held out by the tooth behind it (to the left in the photo). The links following the master are hitting the teeth "late"...

Endless chain, no master link but that would require removing the swingarm to remove the chain.

And buying a whole new chain.