Clunking noise from front sprocket area.

[Bradders]

Evening all. Have just pushed my bike into the garage after riding home from work and have noticed a clunking noise that appears to come from the front sprocket area. When I push it backwards it doesn’t make the noise at all.  Any ideas what it might be? ( hope it’s not bad news🙁)

[Clem2112]

Chain hitting the swingarm at the front?
Check the free play in the lower run.

[Bradders]

Have checked the free play Clem2112 and seems about right at 20 mm at the tightest point.

[taysidedragon]

Check the front sprocket plate and bolts. The bolts may be loose. 😯

[Clem2112]

Rear sprocket also floats slightly on the rubber dampers, is there excessive play here?
Also look at the front/rear alignment of the sprockets.
Were all three items renewed as a set, a worn sprocket might make more noise on a new chain.

[Rob62]

Check everything out as above, but it may just be a normal sound of the chain on the sprocket, some bikes do.... maybe a bit of chain lube will help

[Bradders]

Thanks for your replies guys. Is the front sprocket easy to access so I can check?  I’m not much of a mechanic!

[mike the bike]

Remove the gear change linkage (10mm spanner), Remove 4 x screws,  pull off cover et voila, there's the sprocket.   Check it's not worn.

[Bradders]

Thanks very much. Shall have a look when I get home from work tonight.

[hairygit]

Also check the entire chain length for a stiff or seized link, it makes an awful sound if you have one. I had an "O" ring chain seize a link on my 750F1 many years ago, took ages to finally find what the problem was. Have never used an "O" ring chain since!

[Bradders]

Have just oiled the chain and seems quite a bit better but will check the sprocket tonight. Thanks for your advice.

[Nurse Julie]

Sounds like typical seized/ dry links, check the whole chain to make sure all links are free and use plenty if good quality chain lube. It may even be a bit of grit or gravel causing it to not bend properly around the sprocket.

[billywingnut]

Is your chain catching the chainguard?

[Bradders]

Evening. Checked the front and rear sprockets and all seemed fine ( to my untrained eye). Also gave the chain a good oil. Seems quite a bit better, maybe will completely stop the noise when the oil works it’s way in more. Anyway thanks for all your advice.

[Trigger]

Check that the sprocket bolts are not too long and that it is not a o ring or x ring chain