Author Topic: Africa Twin noise.. (Read 5237 times)

Fat Rat · « **on:** September 06, 2018, 20:22:14 »

I have had the front sprocket cover off and I have checked that there isn't a playing card clothes pegged to the front wheel. Any suggestions what this noise is?

TLPower · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2018, 20:35:58 »

A woodpecker?

(You didn't mention a prize, but I assume there is one).

Jack Meoff · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2018, 20:36:34 »

knackered sprocket

tallpaul · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2018, 20:40:14 »

Has just appeared suddenly? Have a look at the plastic chain guide on the swing arm pivot. Has it been damaged?

kwackboy · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2018, 20:49:36 »

Strange.. !! If it made the noise only going backwards id say that was a hooked front sprocket. Does sound front sprocket related though but could be wrong .

Hugo Magnus · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2018, 21:10:23 »

Bearing cracked up? The noise is your balls dropping

kwackboy · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2018, 21:13:49 »

good point , try looking at your rear sprocket hub bearing .

Gassoon · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2018, 21:31:15 »

Quote from: Hugo Magnus on September 06, 2018, 21:10:23

Bearing cracked up? The noise is your balls dropping

Sounds like a tight chain going over an out-of-alignment rear sprocket

vstroppy · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2018, 22:25:56 »

Sounds like something is catching the ends of the rollers on the chain, could be something has gone down into the sprocket guard and is catching, or a crankcase screw has come loose and is catching the chain rollers.

mr_diver · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2018, 22:29:25 »

There has been an issue with the AT's rear hub bearing highlighted on Honda Adventure Riders forum.
Something like Honda using shoddy bearings and Tai ladyboys putting the bikes together.

to be honest I wasn't paying much attention when I read it.

wurzel · « **Reply #10 on:** September 06, 2018, 22:41:02 »

Sounds chain related but then again maybe not , try getting it up on a stand and turning the wheels independently maybe, and locate the sound with a bodged up stethascope,but of Hosepipe, or rest a metal rod between your ear and the rear hub.

Griff2 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 06, 2018, 22:44:36 »

Does a good lubing of the chain help ? Also pull the sprocket cover off again and get some lube between the front sprocket and the splines of the countershaft. I have noticed that the splines can run dry on Hondas and rattle a bit on the ones with a floating front sprocket. Not sure if the CRF has a floater ?

If neither of the above sort it then I would look to the rear wheel bearings as suggested above.

wurzel · « **Reply #12 on:** September 06, 2018, 22:48:11 »

Good call Griff, worth greasing those spines on a floating sprocket too.

TLPower · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2018, 05:35:23 »

A woodpecker aside, as others have said it does sound like a misaligned bearing. Stick it on the centre stand and spin the wheel of justice at least it will point you as to which (if either) the noise is coming from.

Ianmc · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2018, 09:04:03 »

Have you got a chain oiler fitted and have adjusted the chain recently?

Fat Rat · « **Reply #15 on:** September 07, 2018, 10:24:08 »

Thanks for your input folks (sorry, no prizes), the noise is definitely from the front sprocket/shaft bearing

Ridaz · « **Reply #16 on:** September 07, 2018, 10:49:24 »

I've not seen anything similar mentioned in any of the Africa Twin forums Andy. Will keep a closer look though.

kwackboy · « **Reply #17 on:** September 07, 2018, 11:22:23 »

Blimey... that is so rare. Never seen a front sprocket bearing fail on a Honda

loosen your chain, take your front sprocket off and re-check it.

Griff2 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 07, 2018, 11:50:40 »

Almost sounds like an overly tight chain. I would be very surprised if the countershaft bearing was gone. I have never seen one go on any bike no matter how tight the chain.

mr_diver · « **Reply #19 on:** September 07, 2018, 12:13:04 »

Does sound like a tight chain.

But I'd speak to your friendly local dealers and kick up a fuss.