Bandit Alley

GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: Rocketjock on October 05, 2006, 09:55:02 PM

Title: Gettin Loose
Post by: Rocketjock on October 05, 2006, 09:55:02 PM

My new 06 B12 was smooth and tight for the first 2000k but now hitting 5000 I've noticed a clunk starting out in first. The chain is adjusted properly but when I put it up on the center stand and lock it in first gear I notice what I think is a big bit of play between gears. An inch or two of travel at the rear wheel. And when I do it, it clunks. Is this normal?

Title: Gettin Loose
Post by: banditoverde on October 06, 2006, 02:13:42 AM

My Bandit clunks into first. I thought they all did.

Title: Gettin Loose
Post by: Red01 on October 06, 2006, 04:35:31 AM

Sounds like every bike I've ever owned, so it's either normal, or every bike I've ever owned had a problem. I'm voting for normal.  :motorsmile:

Title: Gettin Loose
Post by: amboman on October 06, 2006, 07:31:39 AM

Someone please feel free to correct me me if I am wrong, but I beleive that if you have the bike up on the center stand the chain will appear to be a little slacker as the weight will be off the swing arm.

My 05 used to "clunk" when it was telling me to adjust the chain!!!

Hope this helps.

Title: Gettin Loose
Post by: Landry on October 06, 2006, 10:16:49 AM

My experience:

-Clunk is normal, especially going from neutral to first
-Chain tension should be set with the bike on the sidestand . . . it is looser on the centerstand.
-Never really associated excessive clunk with chain tension, I always thought it got worse with oil life.

I don't know everything, though, so clunk could be realted to chain tension as well.  :grin:

Title: Gettin Loose
Post by: dsartwell1 on October 06, 2006, 07:00:31 PM

Not trying to start a war, but synthetic oil will help the clunkiness if you're not already using it. Mobil 1 15-50 is pretty popular and what I use.

Title: Gettin Loose
Post by: Rocketjock on October 06, 2006, 07:20:45 PM

Thanks for the assurance, guys. But I still wonder why there is any play in the gearbox at all. And, as I said before. The chain is adjust to the min. specs.

Title: Gettin Loose
Post by: 00to60 on October 06, 2006, 09:46:08 PM

The 1st gear clunk is normal for the Bandits.
 :motorsmile: