Gday Team, Have been feeling fairly good with my bike getting to know it a bit better thanks to your guys help and fixing some of the initial minor problems (Plumbers tape on sump plug to stop the oil leak from my poor attempt at re-threading the oil pan worked a treat, taking the cam chain tensioner out and checking its extension to stop the engine rattle and plenty more tips and hints from you guys). I have built a bit more confidence in doing things myself on the bike mainly from reading forums on here and have actually never taken it or plan to take it to a mechanic for minor things.. The other day I noticed my chain was hanging a bit loose so I grabbed my old mans mate who has had plenty of bikes and we tightened it up a little. I rode the bike everything fine for the next 2 weeks. I look again at the chain and it seems to be loose again. So I tightened it up. What is happening now is a very annoying whining noise coming from somewhere...I can hear it with my helmet and visor down and it only seems to get quite significant in sixth gear sitting at around 80km/hr to 110km/hr. Its very hard to explain but it almost sounds like its timed to the wheels rotation???? "whhiiimmm whiiiimmmm whiiiiimmmm whiiiiiimmm" in very very quick succession. The more I accelerate and the faster I go the louder it gets? To be honest the noise was sort of there from the beggining of time but only got noticeably louder when I mucked around with the chain and the rear wheel. It doesnt seem like my chain is too tight...about 2cm to 2.3cm slack when I push it up. The rear wheel seems to be aligned fine? I dont know what it could be? Chain to tight maybe? Electrical noise? something to do with the clutch/gearbox? Let me know what your thoughts are team. Cheers
chain could be kinked, you have to get the rear wheel off the ground and turn it while looking for the tightest spot on the chain.
When I saw the heading I thought my brother was here. Your noise could just be the chain. As it has stretched the links will be riding in a different spot on the sprocket teeth, and this could be making a different noise multiplied by the number of links, to get the whining you are hearing. Keep the chain well lubed and at the correct tension. Also check on your front sprocket teeth as these usually wear faster than the rear.
Yea the chain will be tighter at different points ... check tension at the tightest point Definately check your front sprocket and make sure its still on tight Post a pic of your sprockets .... may be time for new chain and sprockets
You mention tightening the chain then shortly thereafter doing it again??? Is it possible the alignment is out a touch, just putting it out there. Perhaps a photo of the culprit might help us resolve this issue.
Alright cheers guys I thought it would have been the chain also. My chain looks pretty grimey to be quite honest. It has a maroon looking colour to it, almost looks like rust but not quite Take a look at pictures....to be honest they look pretty bad now that I have a good look at it. poor balius... . It might be from the MOTUL chain lube im using. I havent gotten to my front sprocket yet...ever. will need to look up what to take off to get there. Shouldnt be too bad. I am planning on getting new front and rear sprockets plus chain. Any advice on what brand? Also will I need to take it to a mechanic to replace these or can it be easily done myself? Im guessing I cant stuff up the chain buying as there are certain amount of links that I need etc.
@Grasshopper should be able to get u a chain/sprocket set Have a read here ... its for ZXR but should be the same Its just one cover comes off to get at the front sprocket ... easy as http://2fiftycc.com/index.php?resources/kawasaki-zxr250-service-manual-part-9.94/
get a d.i.d chain no need to go to a mechanic, just undo the front sprocket, it has 2 10mm nuts, do it on the ground, lift up rear wheel undo the rear take off the sprocket, you will need a chain breaker to get the chain off, motorcycle store will have them. you will need to count the links on your old chain and make sure your new chain has the same amount, use the breaker to do it. Then just clip the new chain up and tension it.
@Phil alignment seems to be fine according to the adjustment markings on either side, took me over half an hour of fine tuning it to get it to sit where I want and the right tightness. Only because its my first time doing it im guessing. Right looks like new chain and sprockets in order and a chain breaker to sort it out myself. So does the whole rear wheel need to come off?? Also another symptom...the whining gets really audible when I am idling and costing along. Clutch in and it still whines..so Im guessing it would be chain/sprocket/alignment/adjustment whatever it may be Cheers @GreyImport and @zixxer will look into replacing these as soon as practical. Thoughts on the redish coloured chain? it never used to be that maroon like untill I started lubing it with the chain lube.
Yea its getting the balance between the right chain tension and the wheel aligned .... once u do it a few times it gets easier. The colouring would be from the chain lube Id guess ... I dont know wats in it but lithium grease is red for example. Just knock off the clip and tap out the joining link to break the chain
Stock setup for the Balius .... Chain 520 pitch Front sprocket 14T (teeth) Rear sprocket 48T Heres the kinda thing to get as a complete kit ... http://www.slipstreamperformance.co...R250-1997-1999-EK-Supersprox-chain-sproc.aspx
Just a tip passed on from Dr. Murdo, when ordering sprockets, make sure at least 1 sprocket is an uneven number, otherwise the chain links won't be rotated to another sprocket tooth on each turn, leading to accelerated wear. Usually, +1 or -1 on the rear is enough
Thanks heaps that definitely clears things up. Will take a look at front sprocket when I get home. I have a feeling its really worn out and the teeth will look like shark fins thus causing the whining whirring noise. @GreyImport any sets for a 1994 balius? that looks ideal
Ive been searching the interwebs and cant see anything but the 97-99 model parts ...... I would very much doubt there would be any changes in the spline and rear wheel hub from the earlier models but anything is possible .... as we found out with the front sprocket on the FZRs across the models. The only thing I ever found for the Balius is the owners manual .... no parts catalogue or service manual Call your local Kawasaki dealer and ask if they can get the 2 sprockets .... ask for the price and the part numbers Chain is no big deal .... any 520 O ring with the same or more links as the one u have, will do.
Just taken the cover off and had a look at the front sprocket. It does not seem worn out at all the teeth arent even showing an signs of being sharp There is heaps of black sh** everywhere and road grit and what not so gave it a bit of a clean. Is there meant to be any play in the front sprocket? If Twist it inwards and outwards there seems to be some minor play in it which seems odd to me. I havent taken the sprocket off. Would tightening the two bolts that hold the sprocket in place stop the play?
