Squeak!

[AndyR]

I'll rant about the shit service Carol Nash breakdown cover provides in the rant forum even though this post is connected to it.

Anyway, short version - Got down the road and the Kawasaki died

It's up and running now but I've discovered 2 problems:

1) For some reason the front wheel spindle has started to squeak unless I'm braking then it stops.

Does anyone know how easy it is to drop the front wheel off a Kawasaki GPZ1000RX? Do I remove the spindle or do I just need to undo the clamps at the end of the front forks then drop the wheel off??

2) I'm getting a sort of metallic rattle when the bike is under load or it's cruising.

Now the bike has been stood for about 5 years before I got it, then it's been stood since I bought in back in Feb up until recently.

I've taken it out before and I've put about 35 kilometers on it so far, (about 15 or so of them today), and this rattle has only just started.

Would anyone have any ideas what I should check?

I am thinking it could be the timing chain, but, as I say, it's only when the bike is under load. When I'm engine braking it's fine and the rattle stops.

Now given the bike has been stood for so long, will I need to run it in again? As in not hammer it until I've put some kilometers on the clock?

[deano]

dunno about the forkies andy, but that metallic rattle under load sounds 'orribly expensive - big ends is my guess hope I'm wrong!

[AndyR]

Originally Posted by deano

dunno about the forkies andy, but that metallic rattle under load sounds 'orribly expensive - big ends is my guess hope I'm wrong!

Me too mate, but it's only just started today after it's little "I'm not gonna start" episode.

Oh well, I'm gonna get the bike dragged over to Weads and get them to have a look at her .... Thinking about it, it could be the chain since I've been playing with that today. It felt tight so I've slackened it off it bit, perhaps too much??

[deano]

obviously its easy to check if its the drive chain
cam chain is more a 'two marbles going round n round in a glass jar' sorta noise.
no rattle at all on idle then?

[AndyR]

Originally Posted by deano

obviously its easy to check if its the drive chain
cam chain is more a 'two marbles going round n round in a glass jar' sorta noise.
no rattle at all on idle then?

No mate, it's perfect on idle.

This rattle kicks in around 3,000 revs when the bike is under load and it sounds like it's coming from the front of the bike.

It's only started since the squeak from the front wheel started as well.