Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Help with preserving my domestic bliss!

So; I'm on my third BA. For each of the previous bikes I have fitted a touring seat/sissy bar and my other half has ridden pillion with no issues.

When I got my current bike it was already fitted with lowered (12") STD rear springs. So I wasn't too surprised when we went out and heard a 'clatter' over the first pot hole. I have been riding solo since, again with no issues

However I ordered some HD 812s (12/5"), fitted and turned up the pre-load and last week did a test ride, firstly solo, then with our daughter riding pillion - no issues...

Great, until Friday evening when in prep for the New Hampshire Rally, we went out two up.

Every pothole, I got the clatter (it does sound like the chain is hitting something), and now I have noticed the same sound when I pull the clutch (under load) to change gear.

We never made the Rally after I mistakenly suggested the effect was (at least partially) due to the 'weight' on the back. But today I have taken the sprocket/chain covers off - can't see any evidence of contact/damage, although there is about 3/4" deflection on the chain (half way between front and rear sprocket).

Does this sound excessive? Any other suggestions of what I can check, which will alleviate the suggestion of "excessive baggage" being the cause, will be greatly appreciated!

Still have the rubber on the swingarm? Did you turn rear wheel and check different sections of the chain? How many miles on it?

Seein' as how the stock length of shocks on our bikes is 13 inches, Martin, and the reason I think you're still bottoming out might just be that 1/2 inch shorter in length you're runnin' with those 812s.

My suggestion is that you find out if whoever you purchased those 812s will exchange them for longer stock length 13in units.

If they won't negotiate with you about that, then the only other suggestion I have is that you make sure you have your preload set as firmly as possible before your wife jumps on the back of your bike and you take off down the road.

(sorry, actually I DO have one other suggestion for you Martin...to avoid any further last minute joint cancellation of plans such as the episode you described above about the missed rally, IF and when in the future your wife might walk out from your dressing room and then asks your opinion on the subject of the relative correlation between the appearance of a particular garment which she's wearing and the size said garment might give the impression to any passersby of a certain part of her anatomy...well ol' buddy, whatever you do...KEEP YOUR FRIGGIN' MOUTH SHUT!!!)

I thought our bikes shocks were 12 1/2" stock?

Nope erle, I just went to my garage and double-checked the length on the stock shocks on a friend's BA who keeps his bike in my garage(he only has a carport at his home here in Prescott) before I answered Martin's question here, and they were 13 inches alright.

(btw..I didn't measure my shocks 'cause just a little while back I got me a GREAT deal on some slightly used 412s from Pinwheel that somehow became available right after a little incident happened at last year's Nelson/Kootenay Rally!...yep, it seems the guy who originally had 'em on his bike somehow found himself lyin' in a London hospital bed in the year 1943!!!)

Swing-arm rubber is still in place and judging by the layer of road dust, hasn't come in contact with the chain. I think it is still the original chain (bike had only 3000miles on it when I bought it) and appears to have equal wear.

I will try winding the pre-load right up....Progressive only list up to 12.5" so I doubt I would get an exchange and maybe change the chain and sprocket(s) just in case.

As for being able to keep my mouth shut...I'm on wife number 3 so maybe it's too late to learn that lesson !

I put a pair of 11.5"Progressive 412's on my 2004 Speedy about 6 months ago.

Jo & I weight about 90 Kgs. (200 lbs.) each and when we ride 2 up we never have any problems bottoming out.

I have the shocks set on the next to hardest setting. The only time we do have a small problem is on one of our local roundabouts where there is quite a lot of camber. I tend to grind away the allen bolts on my Staintune mufflers.

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But today I have taken the sprocket/chain covers off - can't see any evidence of contact/damage, although there is about 3/4" deflection on the chain (half way between front and rear sprocket).

Does this sound excessive?

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Nope Martin... 3/4" of play in the chain is about right. Wouldn't want it any less. But ummm, it ya really want to put the chain question to rest, have both of you sit on the bike while a third person checks the play in the chain at about midway between sprockets. You see, the position of the swingarm does affect the amount of slack in the chain. Personally, I think it will be slightly less then 3/4" but ya never know.

check your cush drive. grab aholt of the rear sprocket and see if you can move it.

Thanks for the suggestions...I can't feel any movement in the rear sprocket, so assume that is OK: but the slack in the chain appears a slight mystery - it appears to increase with the two of us on-board, up to nearer 1.5". So I guess that could be the cause. Not sure of the solution though as I don't want to run the chain too tight when riding solo just to be OK when two up.

Chain tension will change with the amount of suspension compression. Always adjust the chain with no weight on it and with the bike sitting on the ground. Check the chain in a couple different places by moving the bike or turning the rear wheel. Always check in the middle between the front and rear sprockets.

are shocks are 12.1/5 inches, from centre of eye to eye 320mm. ive my bike lowered one inch down to 11 1/2 inches from standard, hagon nitros