[Rattling Gears and Counter Balance Shaft Adjustment]

Just adjusted mine today. With the combination of synthetic oil and this, my shifting has GREATLY improved. I also had some chatter from the clutch when idling, that is also gone.

Was well worth the effort.

[Need a chain rivet tool]

I have a new chain and sprockets on the way.... None of the guys at work have any chain tools (all ride shaft drives).

Anybody in the Tulsa, OK area have one I could use?

[What makes the bird shift so smooth?]

For me 1st to second is kinda chunky and 2nd to third isn't too bad. Beyond that it's pretty smooth though. I guess teh 1st to 2nd has a relatively long throw from most other bikes I can think of, but it's been a while since I've ridden anything else so I guess my comparisons aren't all that great at the moment.

Bun

I find the same to be true, compared to other street and dirt bikes that I have owned, I think the Blackbird shifts rather roughly. At first I thought there might be a problem, but have just gotten use to it now. For me, it seems to shift the best when your really accelerating hard.

[Help, Vibration in Left Footpeg]

Quite possibly totally not related.. but worth mentioning:

There is an exhaust mount in each of the foot pegs. It's probably worth making sure that the rubber grommet that holds the exhaust isn't causing undo engine vibration.

Thanks, I will check that as well.

Today, after checking my chain tension once again, I rotated the rear wheel to check that the tension was the same over the entire length of the chain. I did find about a 6 inch section of chain that is noticeably tighter than the rest. Doesn't seem to have any of the links seized, but they defiantly don't have as much flex as the rest of the chain. Looks like I may have to order a new chain and sprockets after all.

[Help, Vibration in Left Footpeg]

Here's a little more information....

I just started to notice the problem the last couple of weeks. The bike is a 2000, with 33,000 miles. The tires are almost new, Dunlop 220, with less than 3,000 miles on them, never patched or plugged. I'm pretty sure the chain has been replaced, it is a DID 50VA, and has a riveted master link ( I believe that I have read that the original chain is a continues chain without a master link).

I have taken the bike up to 50-60 mph, pulled in the clutch and coast I don't get the vibration. I also don't feel the vibration when accelerating or de-accelerating, just seems to really show up when the engine is under very little load.

As far as I can tell, it had the stock front and rear sprockets, I checked that when I removed the front sprocket cover to clean and be sure that there wasn't something stuck in there, causing the problem.

I'm starting to think that it's just due for a new chain and sprockets, was wanting to eliminate everything else first.

Thanks, feel free to suggest anything else.

[Help, Vibration in Left Footpeg]

I have a vibration problem that I have been trying to find for the last couple of weeks.

It is mostly felt in the left footpeg, really noticed between 35 and 55 MPH. Its a even, constant, THUMP THUMP THUMP, kinda reminds me of old bias ply tires when they are cold. You only notice it when running along under very little load, not while accelerating or de-accelerating, If you pull in the clutch and coast, you also don't feel it.

Since it is felt on the left side, first thing I thought of was a tight link in the chain, so it was gone over and cleaned and lubed, checking closely for a frozen link somewhere. None was found, and the chain is well within the green for adjustment. I have run the chain on the loose side, as well as a little over tight, the vibration problem seems the same. Front and rear sprockets also look fine.

I also thought that maybe the chain was hitting the center stand, as I have D&D slipons, and thought it might be riding higher than stock. This still hasn't fixed the problem.

I'm asking for help, as I have run out of ideas, short of spending $200 + for new chain and sprockets that I don't think is really needed.

Thanks in advance...

[flashing auxillary tail lights]

Previous owner of my bike put those on.... they seem to light up pretty well.

Good alternative for those not wanting LED taillights.