[Dave]

I installed a new drive chain on my 929 at 18K miles. The new chain is D.I.D 530ZVM2, a high strength chain recommended by D.I.D for this application. Initially I did not replace either sprocket as wear was minimal.

I immediately noticed a noise not previously present. I can best describe it as a rattle sound. I did some careful observation and summarize the findings as follows.

1. The noise is speed related (cycle speed, not engine rpm). It is noticeable at 20mph and has a definite volume peak at 50mph. Above 50mph I cannot tell as wind noise dominates.
2. The noise is related to throttle position. It is loudest with neutral throttle, less under acceleration, and disappears with trailing throttle.
3. I experimented with slack adjustment (within an acceptable range) - no discernable effect.
4. To be sure, I replaced the front sprocket - no change.

From the above, I am almost certain that the chain is responsible for the noise. The absence of the the noise under trailing throttle can be explained. Under this condition, the tension side of the chain (top) becomes slack and the chain drops on the rub block, damping the vibration and noise.

Has anybody else had a similar experience? Is there any cure, or do I just live with it. I cannot find anything wrong that would lead to a problem.

 

[bladeracer]

Have you replaced the rear sprocket?
Are the sprockets aligned?

 

[Dave]

Rear sprocket not replaced but it looks good. Note also that replacement of front sprocket which had slight wear had no sffect. It is extremely unlikely that the rear sprocket is the cause.

Allignment of sprockets is good. I accurately measure the position of the rear axle relative to machined end of swing arm. This same procedure was used with the original chain which did not have the noise issue.

 

[spina220]

Are the sprockets and chain all 530?

 

[bladeracer]

Rear sprocket not replaced but it looks good. Note also that replacement of front sprocket which had slight wear had no sffect. It is extremely unlikely that the rear sprocket is the cause.

Allignment of sprockets is good. I accurately measure the position of the rear axle relative to machined end of swing arm. This same procedure was used with the original chain which did not have the noise issue.

How much mileage is on the rear sprocket though?
You should actually be measuring axle position from the centre of the swingarm pivot.

 

[Dave]

I agree that the best measurement of allignment is to the swingarm pivot, but I don't have the tools to do this. However, I repeat that my method was always ok with the original chain. When I replaced the chain, I changed nothing except a small slack adjustment maintaining the same allignment.

The rear sprocket has 18K miles, significant but as I said wear is minimal. On other motorcyles (most recently a RC51) I did not replace the sprockets when replacing the chain at the about same milage and never before had a problem.

 

[Dave]

Another fact I should mention - the original chain did not show any sign of distress and had streched very little. I replaced it because my past experience is that 18K miles is a good time to replace the chain. The significance of this is that the rear sprocket was not subjected to a badly worn chain.

 

[Dave]

All that said, unless I get some new leads from this thread, the rear sprocket is all that is left to try. As I said before, I very much doubt that a new rear sprocket will eliminate the noise.

The chain and related parts form a dynamic system and this particular combination (this specific chain model on this motorcycle) may be resulting in a resonance causing the noise. I am hoping that someone else has experienced the same problem.

 

[spina220]

Well if you changed the chain and front sprocket and all that is left is the rear sprocket,and they are all the same size, and you feel that you have it all properly adjusted there should be no (strange) noise coming from it, I only use DID chains (520) and never had a problem, from gsxr's, 929, 954 it shouldn't make a difference. Good luck.

 

[Dave]

My current thinking - this vibration noise may well be caused by this specific chain (weight, not a defect). The 530ZVM2 is the latest DID for high powered bikes. At the time I selected it I thought it was overkill for the 929, but I went with the DID fitment recommendation. The very strong/long wearing chain is probably heavier. This higher mass could be resulting in a resonance, creating the noise.

When I replaced the chain on my RC51, I used the 530VM series as the ZVM2 was not available at that time. The 530VM was ok.

As I stated initially, I am hoping to get feedback from someone else who has experienced this problem in order to either support my suspecion or provide additional leads to a cure.

 

[roys654]

I had similar prob on different bike. Ended up getting another chain. Solved the noise problem. Hope this is useful.

 

[johnx144]

when i changed mine, chain and sprockets, i noticed a ''whine'' noise at speed . im not concerned , put it down to the sound of a new system.

 

[mgolden]

Not to ask a stupid question, but are you sure it's a 530 chain? i.e. just because it came in a box marked 530 doesn't necessarily mean that somebody didn't screw up and put the wrong chain in the box. :idunno:

 

[Dave]

I have a probable cause of the noise - it is the chain. Most chains have rollers slightly smaller than the radius at the root of the sprocket. This allows a little forgiveness and provides a softer landing.

In order to make the 530ZVM2 as strong and long wearing as possible, D.I.D increased the roller diameter so that the radius exactly matches the radius at the sprocket root. This provides a harder landing, hence more noise and vibration. This noise directly is not the primary problem, but this noise/vibration excites another resonance (I believe the top span of the chain) at 50mph, creating a rather loud and annoying noise.

My recommeddation - do not use this chain. The D.I.D 530VM series has the normal roller diameters and is a better choice (I used it on my RC51 with no problem).

 

[Dave]

roys654 -do you remember the specific chain model you replaced?

 

[Dave]

I had similar prob on different bike. Ended up getting another chain. Solved the noise problem. Hope this is useful.

Do you remember the specific chain model?

 

[roys654]

Unfortunately I do not. :thumbd:

 

[bladeracer]

Unfortunately I do not. :thumbd:

If you're talking about the OEM chain it should be the DID VM or RK's equivalent from memory. I've got my original DID chain here somewhere but I'd have to did it out of the spares box to check.