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Hi all,

I went on a 200 mile run yesterday and when I got home I was wheeling the bike into my garden to lube the chain I noticed a knocking noise coming from the rear wheel.

I put it up on a paddock stand and sure enough whenever I rotate the rear wheel it makes a knocking sound.

I checked the chain tension and wheel alignment and that’s fine, also there is no play in the wheel so I’m a bit baffled as to what it could be.

Does something possibly need greasing in the rear wheel hub area? Hopefully it’s nothing too serious!

My first thought was worn wheel bearing, but if no movement when on paddock stand then not so likely.
So I'd suspect the rubber of the cush drive inside the rear wheel is worn and/or starting to break up. Very easy to check and not as serious as it sounds.
Take the rear wheel off and lie it down (on something clean) with the sprocket facing up. Wiggle and pull the sprocket up until it and part of the wheel its attched to comes out from the main part of the wheel. Check rubbers and the holes the sprocket part locates in to for signs of wear.

Can you tell if the knock at each wheel/rear sprocket rotation, chain rotation or front sprocket rotation?

It knocks about 3-4 times per wheel/rear sprocket rotation although it doesn't do it when I'm backing the bike up.

I had a read through some old postings on AF1 and it seems like the cush drives might need removing and greasing up. Do I need a special tool to remove the cush drives, I've never removed the rear wheel before.

Nope, just a few spanners.

Check that your sprocket nuts haven't come loose!!

Took the wheel off earlier and had a look at the cush drives and they appear to be in good order. I gave them a good clean and greased them up but still the knocking noise is present.

I'm starting to think that it could be the chain as the knock noise is only present at certain points when spinning the wheel.

What is the best way of adjusting the chain? I usually do it with the bike on the side stand but when I put her up on a paddock stand the chain does feel a little tight.

How worn are your sprocket teeth? Do you know how to check for tight spots in the chain? Is it well lubricated?

There are no visual signs of wear to the sprocket teeth they are still pointed and not hooked. The chain is quite rusty but I always keep it well lubed but it does have a tight spot..

New chain and sprockets

Nooj wrote:New chain and sprockets

The Mrs is not going to be happy with me

Better a new chain and sprockets than screw the gearbox up though!

Just so 'appens we could help you though..

https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=7871 Brakes4U RS Discount

..who also sell chains and sprockets..

http://www.brakes4u.co.uk/supersearch.a ... 7464&won=1

Nooj wrote:New chain and sprockets

Rusty chain = tight spot, therefore knocking noise. QED

damci wrote:

Nooj wrote:New chain and sprockets

The Mrs is not going to be happy with me

I know where you are coming from ... the secret is in squireling a bit away to cope with these emergency situations without having to make declarations and requests that may spoil your marital harmony .....

D-Rider wrote:

damci wrote:

Nooj wrote:New chain and sprockets

The Mrs is not going to be happy with me

I know where you are coming from ... the secret is in squireling a bit away to cope with these emergency situations without having to make declarations and requests that may spoil your marital harmony .....

I spoilt that a long time ago after suggesting I needed some Armstrong wavy discs.

Are DID chain & sprockets recommended? DK Motorcycles have some good package deals.