unknown bike noise

Hey guys I need some help! At low speeds, there is a definite knock or bumping sound coming from my bike. The bike is a 79' KZ 1000 LTD with 20K miles on it. It either isn't happening at higher speeds, or I just can't feel it. The chain is adjusted according to specs, tires are fairly new too. I pulled the front sprocket cover to check for wear and make sure it was tight, no problem there. Rear sprocket teeth are fine and not worn. The rear tire is setting on the same adjustment marks on the frame. The chain looks like it is in line from the drive sprocket to the rear tire. I jacked it up and both the front and rear tires spin fairly easily with no noticeable wobble (although the front brakes do rub the calipers a little.) There seems to be a tight spot in the chain in one section that will not go away. Could this be the gremlin thats making the noise? It feels like you are driving down a concrete driveway and every time you run over an expansion joint you feel a knock or a bump in the bottom end. Sorry I can't describe it any better than that. Anything else I can look at? It's driving me nuts. Also can somebody tell my computer challenged butt how to reduce picture size so I can post on this site. thanks for the help. Tom

some of the guys use "photobucket" to set up an account free and it will help ...you post your pics to your photobucket account and then it is easier to upload em to kzr posts...you can do search for posting pics in the kzr forum search slot and learn...i use my phone to take pics and then send em to my e-mail and then save em to my documents....long way prob but works for me....

as far as the sound you describe is it also a small rotating jolt that bumps the bike or just a sound when moving...????
you describe checking the things that first come to mind for me also????...tire defect?//tire bumping inside the fender???is the tight spot in the chain just a tighter spot in the slack adj...or is it a kinked link....if a link then that is the prob ..i bet...you can unbind em by flexing it back and forth against the pins"imagine breaking a pencil in your hands" and lubing in the tight spots better..it may re-kink though..pull in your clutch at 15-10 mph and see if it changes/appears....also find a hill that has little traffic..long hill...and put the bike in nuetral and kill the engine and coast down you'll hear the noisy spot better...good luck....craig

also you can update your info "signiture" on your account with the make /year/model/and general location and guys will know more to help give tips/relate...ect...peace craig

p.s ...welcome bro

could be caused by your clutch basket damper springs in the backing plate or something as simple as the carb's being out of sync.by the way welcome to the site

KZ1979LTD wrote:

Hey guys I need some help! At low speeds, there is a definite knock or bumping sound coming from my bike. The bike is a 79' KZ 1000 LTD with 20K miles on it. It either isn't happening at higher speeds, or I just can't feel it. The chain is adjusted according to specs, tires are fairly new too. I pulled the front sprocket cover to check for wear and make sure it was tight, no problem there. Rear sprocket teeth are fine and not worn. The rear tire is setting on the same adjustment marks on the frame. The chain looks like it is in line from the drive sprocket to the rear tire. I jacked it up and both the front and rear tires spin fairly easily with no noticeable wobble (although the front brakes do rub the calipers a little.) There seems to be a tight spot in the chain in one section that will not go away. Could this be the gremlin thats making the noise? It feels like you are driving down a concrete driveway and every time you run over an expansion joint you feel a knock or a bump in the bottom end. Sorry I can't describe it any better than that. Anything else I can look at? It's driving me nuts. Also can somebody tell my computer challenged butt how to reduce picture size so I can post on this site. thanks for the help. Tom

While riding along, could try shutting off ignition and coasting to see whether the problem changes or disappears. May aid diagnosis.

Meanwhile, my nickle's on kinked chain. Wondering if with 20K miles, it might be the original chain. :ohmy:

Good Luck!

The only good way to eliminate a tight spot in the chain is to replace it along with both sprockets as new parts rapidly get worn by old ones.

my money is on the chain, had a similar noise with the same problem, as stated replace botht sprokets and chain, and if you go with a o ring chain,, buy the install tool, saves fingers

Kz, Agree w/others, try this, if you have centerstand use it, put in gear and let out clutch. & bring to comforatable spin. if tight spot is culprit, chain reaction will be obvious. if not bad wheel bearings will make simliar noises. hope these help G

I wondered about a bad wheel bearing being the culprit. The bike is a stock LTD so there's no centerstand, but that's a good idea. I may try to jack it up or suspend it with a come-along from the I- beam in my basement. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Kz, a quick asside, chains with a KnowN tight spot need be adjusted to proper slack at that point. general slack for street bikes is @ 1- 1.5 inches, if difference at tight spot causes in excess of 2 inches in the rest of run, a new chain and or sprockets is wise. check wear at sprockets, and tension before and after if just replacing chain. it's rare, but I've seen ovaled/irregularly worn sprockets as well. luck G

thanks for the help guys. Bought a new chain last night and installed it. problem solved. the tight spot in the chain must have been what was causing the clunk in the bottom end. will be riding in to work today. supposed to be 75 degrees in Nashville today!