Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech surging feeling

I have a surging /dragging feeling in 2nd gear only at about 30mph (50kph) in my '09 America(23,000km), since replacing the rear Tyre, I replaced chain and sprockets and it's still there. Doesn't happen coasting with the clutch in. Have i lost some teeth in the gearbox perhaps? Been suggested i check the oil for metal.

Are you winding it up tight enough before you upshift ?
Like 3500 to 4000 or so ?

i don't have a Rev counter, it's certainly sitting on the right rev's, not struggling, as i would expect if i was in too high a gear for the revs.

I,ve done about 19000 on new sprockets and chain, every time i lube it , i got to adjust it about 600 km later , reckon i should replace now? stop using lube? or just keep using up the adjustment slack?

Sounds like your chain is shot. 600 klm is way too frequent. Your best course as already mentioned is replace both sprockets and the chain. Chain oil will attract and hold grit which accelerates wear, so if you oil, you need to frequently clean your chain and not with a solvent for that will wash out the grease held internally behind the o/x ring seal. I use a spray on, dry lube designed for gun actions and so far I have got my moneys worth from my chains and sprockets. I also use one of those chain brushes that cost about $6 on EBay.

I glance at my chain every once in a while.

If I may speak for others here. And correct me if I'm wrong. Chuckyj, Azzawood, jackshakes and me so far have this similar problem. I changed my rear tire to a metzler 888, front is still the 880 due to a screw stuck in the rear. 2nd gear at 30-40 mph pulsing feeling. I've changed my chain, sprockets, brake pads, balanced my tire, made sure it was straight, put cushioning on my pipe brackets (one guy mentioned it might be vibration from that), chuckyj is changing his clutch but it's cold in NY so waiting in the outcome of that. What the hell is this? Gear? I'm running Lucas oil fwiw. Never had this before last summer. Anybody else out there with this? Seems like we all have the 06-09ish years and about 25k miles. First guess was tire but chuckyj swapped his around with another bike and the other bike didn't pulse.

Without recording vibration sensors at six points at least, and the ability to read the results in a meaningful way. Experimental fixes seem to be the option. It sucks when the answer eludes you.

i checked my oil during the oil and filter change over the weekend and no bits of metal, so it's not a gearbox problem, my next port of call will be checking the rear hub drive cushes, as these were disturbed during the fitment of the new ME888 rear tyre.

Well i've checked the rear cush drive, it's fine. Wondering if it's the mapping for the EFI, due to the aftermarket pipes? I've put a bottle of injector cleaner through it, which i do regularly, will try another bottle through it. May need to take it to the local dealer and check the mapping.

Azzawood I have the carb version and have the same issue. Before you chase a ghost and spend money on it.

Is it possible you have the chain to tight. I find both of my bikes ride/shift their best when the chain is adjusted at the loose end of the spec. I can really tell the difference if the chain is to tight (at the other end of the spec). The chains seem to last longer if you maintain it at the loose end of the spec.

I replaced the chain and sprocket in my research. All kinds of tweaking on tension and no change. Good idea though
I'm really thinking it has something to do with the metzler m888 that I believe we all recently installed on the rear. Confirmations from the surging gang would be great.

Has anyone in the surge group surveyed their cam chain for proper tension. Easy to fix if it's loose,as the tensioner is external, right at the base of the jugs, under the FI bodies or Carbs.

I haven't. Let me look into that Ryk. Thanks for the idea.

Ryk, checked in with Haynes. It had me pulling the head cover and all that. What am I looking for as far as tension? Can I pull the spring to check it? I have never changed cams or checked the valves etc. So she's all stock after 25k. FYI.

Let me check my factory manual, I'll be back. Well I learned something, they tension pretty much automatically, check out this video at 19:20: web page